We’re gliding along the lush green vineyard-carpeted hills of Italy’s Langhe and Roero with not a car in site. E-bikes are a revelation; allowing you to pedal up slopes at 30km/h without effort. Davide Pasquero from Terroir Selection takes us on a 32km route in the direction of Neive. We soon cycle through the village of Mango, its narrow lanes lined with yellow and terracotta houses, where we stop off for some wine tasting. Winemaking largely took over in the region in the last 40 years. “We now have more grape varieties in Italy than in any other country,” Davide notes.
Next day we take a buffet breakfast on the sunny terrace at Hotel Ca’ del Lupo; the swimming pool below us offering a panoramic view of the hills. The hotel is a fifteen-minute drive from Alba, the capital of the Langhe area. In Igliano we cycle 11km in the 36-degree heat. Parts of the trail are wooded with some challenging uphill segments and rocky downhill steeps. We finish, cycling down a winding farmyard road.
After a cheese and salami picnic, a bus takes us to Bossolasco. The village’s stone buildings sit on a slope with tree-lined hills surrounding. The houses have red-tiled roofs with creeping plants and painted wooden shutters on the windows. We have dinner at the Michelin starred Guido Ristorante.
Set on an enormous estate – a present from King Victoria Emanuelle 2nd to his mistress – the interior is filled with historic, regal décor. But for all its grandeur, the restaurant’s food is surprisingly unpretentious.
The veal wrap with tuna sauce starter is followed by risotto then pulled pork. For pudding, a wonderfully rich Fior di Latte ice cream with tangy raspberry sauce.
