Il Cicchetto

300 Labels, 50 Gins, One Great Room

Part wine bar, part restaurant, part shop — Il Cicchetto in central Asti has more than 300 wine labels, 50 gins, and furniture made from reclaimed barrel staves. The owner, Franco Cavallero, is himself a Monferrato producer, which explains both the passion and the knowledge behind the list. When the person selecting the wines is someone who makes wine in the same territory, the list tends to reflect something genuine about the place rather than a buyer's calculation about margins and trends. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 2,000 reviews, which represents a consistency of experience that is difficult to maintain.

A reliable anchor for any afternoon in Asti: a glass of Barbera, some charcuterie and cheese, a browse of the wine shop section which stocks the same list available by the glass. Open for lunch and through the aperitivo hours. Walk-ins are welcome and no reservation is needed, which is the correct way to operate a place of this kind. Closed Monday.