PEDAL PIEDMONT

A support van offers bikers biscotti and a variety of fruit nectars.

Pitching in: Guide, Claudio Bisio, spontaneously helps a farmer with his harvest during a roadside break.

Biscotti are offered by the winemaker's wife in thanks for the unexpected help.

The old way to insert corks, one bottle at a time.

'Someone said cappuccino break?'

The tour's co-founder introduces Gavi wine.

A biker's dream roads.

Peace and love in the van after a wine tasting.

A tower from the thousand-year-old fortress of Gavi.

CinCin! Toasting the day's ride in an outdoor café in Novi.

Picnic goodies: tomato salad with mozzarella, arugula salad, Piedmont cheese, prosciutto, fresh figs, and more.

One glass down, 799 to go at the Douja d'Or wine fair.

Asti gets decked out for its medieval horserace, the Palio.

The main piazza of Asti is converted into a racetrack for the day.

Posing with the Marchesa who 'invented' Barolo wine.

Chance encounters: famed winemaker Bartolo Mascarello offers reminiscences along with posters of his wine labels.

On the road to Mango, passing acres of moscato grapes.

Awaiting their reward after a hard ride: pasta with porcini mushroom sauce.

A tasting room in Barbaresco, with some visual aides.

"I love your wine!" A guest shows winemaker Massimo Martinelli his appreciation at the Renato Ratti estate.