Langhe, Roero and Monferrato are three magnificent areas of Piedmont to be discovered by motorbike, among vineyards, truffles, castles and medieval villages.
We spent three days on the beautiful roads of these lands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, almost aimlessly, because getting lost in these curves that embrace hills and ancient villages is a real pleasure. All accompanied by the unmistakable flavor of the finest wines, the most fragrant truffles and the tastiest traditional dishes.
Starting from Langhe, we propose ours itinerario and the stages that we have made along the way, but I remind you that the area is very rich in many other historical, cultural and food and wine destinations.
Content index
- roddi
- La Morra
- Brown Cellar
- The truffles of Verduno
- Barolo
- Grinza Cavour
- Mont Albert
- Map and information
For this reason, we always recommend that you visit the website of the tourism organization for all your needs. We had to concentrate the tour in the Langhe in a short time, due to business needs, for which I thank Angel of The BYK, for his guidance, friendship and experience in organizing the tour and guiding us curve after curve.
roddi
From Milan, in an hour and a half we arrive in Alba, which we pass to climb to the first of the castles in the eastern area, the Roddi Castle. Located on top of the hill in the village of Roddi, the castle was owned by Gaio Francesco della Mirandola, descendant and nephew of known philosopher Pico della Mirandola. Worth a visit especially for the architecture, but I recommend you book it, especially on weekends.
- After the dive into history, we leave the motorcycle park nearby to discover theUniversity of Truffle Dogs, founded even in 1880, and made official in 1935. Here, the Rector himself, Giovanni Monchiero, told us the story of their business, many curiosities related to the search for black and white truffles, but above all he made us spend two wonderful hours with his dogs to look for these diamonds of the earth.
La Morra
After a lot of hiking we then head to La Morra, the small village whose main square, Piazza Castello, is a real balcony from which to admire the Langhe territory from above. Do not miss the Bell Tower, the Church of the Santissima Annunziata and all the other historic buildings, churches and monuments that can be admired in the alleys of this splendid village, perhaps between a glass of wine and another.
- Obligatory photo stop also at the famous Chapel of the Madonna delle Grazie or the Brunate chapel or the Barolo chapel, which over the years has become a real artistic symbol of the Langhe, by the English artist David Tremlett for the interiors and the American artist Sol Lewitt who took care of the outside.
Wines and lunch
And then the hunger came, without mercy and with an overwhelming desire to try some of the best wines of the area. We recommend the Brown Cellar, two passivated from La Morra and the colorful church and whose restaurant overlooks the famous Cedar of Lebanon planted in 1856.
- First note of merit, motorcyclists can park in the main courtyard! Second note: one of the owners takes us on a tour of the cellar, telling us all about their study and commitment to produce these excellent wines. Third note: the tasting takes place at the table! Between appetizers, first and second all homemade, we taste their Barbera Superiore, Arneis, Barolo just to name a few.
verduno
Excellent lunch, like the wine, which however was not limited to a single glass. Not being able to drive right away, they called the guys from the Cantina Marrone White Truffles, who picked us up in their Jeep.
- Young, nice and very smart, first they took us to have a coffee in the picturesque village of Verduno, telling us their story and their commitment to the environment and tourism (as well as to the truffle dogs) and then again looking for truffles, in the company of their dog. Here we spent a beautiful hour immersed in the woods, with the irrepressible “Bianca” who quickly found a lot of whites and blacks.
History of Barolo
Time flies and it is never enough, for this reason, we could not pass by Barolo, home of the historic winery Marquesses of Barolo, which overlooks the village and the castle of the same name.
- The hospitality of the Abbona family, owners of the cellars since 1929, is equal to the value of their wines and the continuous search for perfection and excellence. Ernesto Abbona in person accompanies us through the ancient barrels and through the secrets and anecdotes that have made the history of this success. A step not to be missed, especially for the journey you will make in the tasting after the tour.
Grinzane Cavour
The name of the small village was changed in 1916 to pay homage to the statesman Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, who was Mayor of the small town for 17 years. Cavour, among the many works, was also the first to experiment the production of the famous Barolo wine in the cellars.
- Grinzane Cavour has a strategic and beautiful position. The castle then reigns supreme: placed on a hill surrounded by vineyards, between the suggestive walls it is possible to visit the different ones, the ethnographic museum and taste other delicious wines in the “Cavour” Piedmontese Regional Enoteca.
Mont Albert
Having unfortunately skipped the third tasting, out of responsibility and respect for the Traffic Laws, we finally head to the hotel booked during the day (you do it in advance because finding a place on weekends is not at all easy). In the tiny town of Montelupo Albese (505 inhabitants and part of the Unione Comuni Colline di Langa and Barolo and the National Association of the City of Wine). We find an unusual hotel ...
- Ca 'del Lupo it is a modern but perfectly integrated structure on the hill. Its stepped shape is not out of place and above all you wake up overlooking the spectacular hills below that emerge from the haze of the beautiful autumn days. We have dinner in the restaurant of the structure, excellent and very nice, with a remarkable value for money given the position and the quality of dishes and wines. Super night!
