Langhe-Roero, the trait-d’union that makes a world of difference for UNESCO

The overwhelming enthusiasm and the triumphant festivities after the struggle to obtain the fiftieth place on the World Heritage list leave Roero with a bitter taste.

The recognition and renewed appreciation of the terroir, of the history that made this wine region into what it means for its audience today, would only be complete if also the close neighbour of the Langhe, Roero, had its place on the World Heritage map.

If there's one region that has been growing disproportionately to its former status recently, then it certainly is Roero. But not a single piece of land in Roero was included in the area that is protected as World Heritage. That is paradoxical to say the least. What might be the reason, the motivation, the error behind this?

So far more than 200,000 websites have reported on the World Heritage recognition and in many cases Roero wouldn't even have been mentioned if the Langhe hadn't put its (metaphorical) arm on its friend's shoulders. The “trait-d’union” of Langhe-Roero, a hyphen that makes up, at least a little bit, for the grave error that was committed years ago.

Why, then, wasn't Roero included? During a previous legislature, the mayors of Roero signed a letter declaring that they would prefer not to become part of the UNESCO World Heritage. They were of the opinion that the region would become even more fragmented instead of working towards preservation. Choosing the egg of yesterday over the golden chicken of tomorrow, they called it in the local newspapers. That was the decision that was made back then. A decision that sticks in the throats of the local population now. Roero will pay a high price for its old strategy...