Rice, the white gold of Piedmont
3 minutes
‘A piece of the Mekong Delta transplanted into the heart of Europe’: for Sebastiano Vassalli, this is the Piedmont of the rice fields, nestled between three cities steeped in ancient history: Vercelli, Novara and Biella. Today, Vercelli is recognised as the 'European capital of rice' and, together with the provinces of Novara, Biella and Alessandria (Casale Monferrato area), forms the beating heart of Europe's largest rice-growing region.
From this 'chequered sea', where 9 traditional varieties are grown, comes Italy's only rice PDO, Riso di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese, which encompasses prized varieties such as Arborio and Carnaroli, cultivated in the unique clay soils at the foot of the Alps.
This heritage makes Piedmont the leading region in Italy and Europe for rice production, accounting for around half (50%) of the entire national output. This agri-food excellence takes Piedmont to the world, promoting traceability, food safety and unparalleled quality.
Itineraries amidst the reflections of water and nature
A day trip or a weekend exploring Vercelli, Biella and Novara is the perfect way to discover profoundly evocative landscapes, dotted with incredible masterpieces of art and architecture in the form of villages, castles and abbeys. Here, rice is a symbol of historical identity and rural culture, celebrated and promoted at events where visitors can learn about, taste and purchase this high-quality grain, paired with local specialities: from Risò – the International Rice Festival, which in 2026 will bring together industry professionals and the public in Vercelli from 11 to 14 September, to Exporice, the event that has been promoting the rich produce of the Novara area for over a decade.
Introduced to the Vercelli area by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages, one of the current centres of rice cultivation and processing is the Principality of Lucedio, where visitors can explore the historic complex comprising the church, the bell tower and the chapter house, which is among the most beautiful examples of architecture in the Vercelli area. Another testament to this important chapter in social history, celebrated in the famous film 'Riso Amaro', is the Livorno Ferraris Rice-Growing Conservatory, which includes the Mondine Museum.
In the Novara area, the unique spectacle of the rice-growing plains against the backdrop of the Alpine peaks can be appreciated even more fully on a guided tour from the top of the neoclassical dome of the Basilica of San Gaudenzio in Novara. By bicycle, it is fascinating to cycle along the Cavour Canal, through the rice paddy ecosystem between Vercelli and Novara, spotting medieval farmsteads, abbeys and castles, historic farmhouses and a rich food and wine tradition on the horizon, or to venture on foot, by car or by bike into the Baragge Nature Reserve (also known as the ‘savannah of Piedmont’ due to its unique characteristics). The best time for a bike or car tour of the area is in spring (April–May), when the flooding of the rice fields creates spectacular reflections, and in summer, when the young plants transform the pools of water into a rippling, deep-green sea. For those who enjoy leisurely walking, the section of the Via Francigena between Santhià and Vercelli is ideal, taking in cultivated fields and old farmsteads, rural villages and vineyards with views of the Alps, perhaps stopping at rice farms and old farmhouses (known as ‘grange’ in Piedmontese) to sample and purchase typical local products.
Cycling along the rice fields
Recommended for the period between spring and early summer, the Rice Roads between Vercelli, Novara and Biella offer a valuable network of routes for road bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes. The routes wind along flat stretches between irrigation canals, flooded paddy fields and country roads, while in the Biella area, the routes become more technical and suitable for mountain bikes and gravel bikes, taking cyclists through landscapes of unparalleled variety and beauty. Whether by bike or e-bike, excursions in the area are ideal for a fun and unusual outing that does not require any training and is also particularly suitable for families and groups of friends. Many of the routes follow secondary country roads, well-maintained dirt tracks or riverbanks, with little or no car traffic. You can traverse the landscape at a leisurely pace, which also provides the opportunity for birdwatching, allowing you to observe herons, black-winged stilts and the natural beauty of a unique and captivating ecosystem.
From the rice fields to the table
In the kitchen, this Piedmontese ‘white gold’ gives rise to a wealth of sweet and savoury recipes that are also highly appreciated by international palates: from fragrant bread to rustic sausages and blood sausages, soups made with milk and chestnuts or stuffed vegetables, small pastries and creamy puddings, which surround the cornerstones of tradition: ‘paniscia di Novara’ (which in Vercelli becomes ‘panissa’, with some variations in ingredients and cooking times), risottos in delicious combinations with authentically Piedmontese cheeses, such as Toma and Gorgonzola, Castelmagno and Montebore, and the quintessential simplicity of risotto with white Alba truffles. The perfect accompaniment is provided by the wine gems of the Novara, Vercelli and Biella hills, with prestigious DOCG wines such as Ghemme (Novara) and Gattinara (Vercelli), alongside a range of elegant and highly complex DOC wines such as Boca, Fara, Sizzano, Lessona, Bramaterra and Coste della Sesia.
