Tuesday, June 24: Saluzzo to Santa Vittoria d'Alba (75k)
Today was brutally hot. Jeff, Noreen and Carolyn stopped in either Moretta or Murello (Not sure which) to get water from a fountain and take a few pictures before riding the rest of the way to Racconigi, where we toured the summer palace of the Savoy before having lunch. After lunch, we entered Roero -- rolling hills and trees (so there were patches of shade!). We took another break in Baldissero d'Alba for gelato (kiwi this time) and cold water, then continued climbing and saw our first vineyards. The ride ended with a tough climb up to Santa Vittoria--if it hadn't been so hot all day, maybe it wouldn't have seemed so bad. A swim and then a wine tasting under the trees, overlooking the valley, made everything good again, and we had an excellent dinner on the terrace. As best we can reconstruct, we drank a Gavi (Castellari Bergaglio, Fornaci 2002), which Mary noted was "delicious for a warm late afternoon"; and a 2000 Barbera d'Alba from Fratelli Viberti, and a Barolo Sori/Madonna Como, which was aged in barriques and had an overtone of tar and fruit. At dinner, Claudio brought out an Arneis (Muscatel, Antiche Cantine, from Santa Vittoria d'Alba, Langhe) and a young red that we agreed needed to age more.