Oh, the elegance of it! A recent evening at the Rapallo Yacht Club featured the wines of Bellavista, best known for its fabulous Franciacorta. While everyone and their brother seems to know Prosecco, why is Franciacorta Italy's best-kept bubbly secret? What is in a name? Franciacorta is no ordinary bubbly (and of course, we are…
My father would tell me I saw the world through rose colored glasses. My response? Dad, this is how some people live, and I am going to be one of those people. What better place to confirm my belief in la Dolce Vita than Ristorante Rosa in my once-and-only home, Camogli? For those of you…
As you've gathered, I'm still digesting my experience at the Florence Symposium of the Masters of Wine. The farewell dinner was an appropriate send-off, held at the spectacular Antinori Winery in the Chianti Classico. Designed by architect Marco Casamonti, this stunning state-of-the-art Cantina wowed the crowd. How can I begin to describe this magical evening? The…
I am still digesting last weekend's Symposium with the Masters of Wine in Florence... It's an event I may not stop talking about for some time to come... Does anyone know what these are used for? It didn't take yours truly long to figure it out, but can I say something? I need practice!! I'm…
Dinner the first evening in Florence was sponsored by Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and held at the exclusive Palazzo Corsini. The magnificent Renaissance palace (home to a Botticelli and a drawing by Raphael) was an appropriate backdrop. Talk about terroir! The Chianti producers strutted their stuff by making it the centerpiece! Not…
Buongiorno da Firenze! The 450 delegates of the 8th Symposium have convened and Florence is a-buzz. Things started up mid-afternoon Thursday at the Palazzo dei Congressi, and I haven't had a minute since. The tastings are amazing, the Masters are truly that.So, what are you tasting, you ask! My pick of the first quite impressive…
The 8th Symposium organized by the Institute of Masters of Wine will be held in Florence, from May 15 - 18. In just a few days, wine connoisseurs will convene in that cradle of the Italian Renaissance for 4 days of conferences, tastings, meeting and greeting. And there will be a significant number of the…
The marvelous Giorgio Erede, a lawyer-turned-chef and restaurateur, has written an unusual and fun memoir, La musica della mia cucina. Those two Italian passions - food and music - in one original work. Isn't creativity what it's all about, Alfie? Erede shares recipes and memories, and gives you the soundtrack for both. It begs the…
Continue reading ➞ Gnocchi al pesto…. Allegro ma non troppo!
We are concluding a week that included two national holidays: Pasquetta, or Little Easter, on Monday, and the Festa della Liberazione, April 25th on Friday. How will we make it through next week? There's only one national holiday: Thursday is May 1st, or Labor Day! Here in my neck of the woods (Liguria), April 25th…
Continue reading ➞ Ever wonder why it’s called Genoa salame?
Today is ‘Little Easter’ in Italy: Pasquetta! Easter Monday is traditionally spent having a barbecue (you didn’t know Italians loved barbecue? They invented mixed grilled meat!!) Or sometimes having a picnic, usually associated with a walk in the countryside. This is like what 90% of the people do here on Pasquetta. You need a day…
