In the Middle Ages, 1318, Calosso and its castle were completely destroyed in the wars between Guelphs and Ghibellines. After a lengthy period of reconstruction the village was purchased by the noble Piercivalle Roero, a banker from Asti. In 1616 the Spanish occupied Calosso, in what was to be the beginning of a difficult period for the village, lasting up to 1659. Wine-making began at that time, as the first records of a supply of Moscatello wine to the local aristocrats and the Savoys of Turin show.

The castle, records of which date back to 1000, preserves the traditional appearance of a Medieval fortress on the north east side, with arrow slits for the archers and a Baroque portal which has recently been restored. The parish church, dedicated to San Martino, probably dates back to the twelfth century, but was extended at the end of the seventeenth century and once again in the nineteenth century. It now presents the typical characteristics of Piedmontese Baroque.

The key figures born in Calosso include:
Giuseppe Guaita (1879-1941) founder of the Cantina Sociale di Colosso in 1904, which is still running today.
Placido Calosso (1840-1932), founder of the infants’ school in 1903.
Giovanni Scagliola (1898-1922), air force pilot and First World War hero who died in Friuli during an air show.

EVENTS

In October is the traditional “Fiera del Rapulè”, an enogastronomic tour of the local cellars or “crotin”, among the colours of autumn. On offer are the local specialities from aperitifs with toast and gorgonzola to hearty minestrone, from “friciula” with cooked salame to cotechino sausage and sauerkraut, from traditional Piedmontese cheeses to medallions of veal in Barbera with toasted polenta, rounding off with the traditional biscuits made in Calosso, washed down with Moscato d’Asti.