Canelli is a small town of about 10,000 inhabitants, nestled in the heart of Monferrato. Together with Nizza Monferrato, it is the second most important center in the Province of Asti, both as a productive and cultural hub and in terms of population. In 2014 the town and its traditions surrounding Asti Spumante, of which it is the beating heart, were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing the area’s extraordinary historical and cultural value and the unmistakable landscape around it, thanks to vineyards that for decades have been tended and shaped by farmers’ hands. And it is precisely in Canelli, with the processing of the Moscato Bianco grape variety, that the story of Italy’s great sparkling wines began, crowned by the excellence of Asti Spumante. Architectural jewels of this fascinating wine world are the famous “Underground Cathedrals,” true masterpieces of engineering and wine architecture; linked to historic world-renowned brands such as Gancia, Coppo, Contratto and Bosca, these “Cathedrals” are wonderful cellars distinguished by spaces with exposed brick vaults that branch into the man-made tuff caves excavated beneath the town, where millions of bottles ferment at a constant temperature, taking on the aromas and flavors typical of sparkling wine made according to the traditional method. Canelli is also a convenient starting point for exploring the Langhe, Monferrato and Piedmont in general: it is half an hour from Alba and Asti, 15 minutes from Nizza Monferrato, 30 minutes from Acqui Terme and one hour from Turin. Many events are promoted throughout the year: Canelli City of Wine, Spring Festival, Stracanelli, the Regional Truffle Fair and the San Martino Fair, and the Palio di Asti, in which Canelli competes with some other towns in the region.