We wouldn’t call Piedmont unknown, or even off the beaten path, but where are all the tourists? We know they come, we know the wine is world famous, yet, why does it feel like we have it to ourselves? Well, we share what the locals are so happy to show off!
A Sunday in June and everywhere are the cyclists – locals only as far as we can tell. Do the same thing in Tuscany on a Sunday in June and you are likely to see every cycling tour company van and their riders criss-crossing the villages and routes. Including our own self-guided cyclists! Not a criticism in any way, as Tuscany is of course, spectacular in every way. But, Piedmont may actually be better!!
This Sunday, the first day of summer, and marvelous in every way with warm sunny skies and rich green rolling countryside that is absolutely carpeted with vines and produce of various types, we cyclists outnumber the cars in a big way! Stopping for lunch just below the wine town of Neviglie, not a single car passed the albergo during 2 hours! A couple motorcycles and several bikes did however. Go up to the hill top piazza of La Morra on Saturday and Sunday morning and you will find hundreds of thousands of euros in 2 wheeled technology lined up for a rest after the climb and the views.
And, wow, the views! Cycling in Piedmont isn’t easy, but what thing in life that is worth having comes easy? You climb and then you are rewarded with the most scenic, green, rolling countryside in all directions. Wine villages dot the hill tops and the occasional church tower stands atop marking the different towns.
This is the Langhe Valley and the grand names of Piedmont wine are all found here: Barolo, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Barbaresco, Verduno Pelaverga, and many others. The hillsides are literally covered with vines. People here know the wines, the soil, and other local produce such as truffles, and a variety of nuts that all find their way into the cuisine.
This is just an introduction to say – “Yo, Tusany is nice, Piedmont is awesome” if you want to do some big road riding and big wine tasting! See our self guided Piedmont Italy bike tour and discover for yourself this amazing region!
Some Piedmont wine resources:
http://www.langabarolo.it/ – 14 local communities promoting the wine and culture of the Langa area
http://www.ivinidelpiemonte.it/ – syndicate of local producers promoting the region’s wine.
http://www.wimubarolo.it/it/ – Barolo Wine Museum and www.baroloworld.it for more on local wines.