Monthly Archives: June 2010

Birra Roma – ‘Na Novita’

I have spent the last two days at the Fancy Food show working with an olive oil producer from Apulia. I have had the occasion to try many delicacies from Italy but also from all over the world. I’m amazed … Continue reading

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Filed under Italian Delicacies, Italian regions, Travel

Madeira Tasting In New York Brings Sweetness To My Day

Yesterday a Madeira tasting was held at the Astor Center in New York. I knew relatively little about Madeira before the tasting, I confess, other than that I really liked it. A dear friend, Rodolphe Boulanger of the Wine Messenger … Continue reading

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Filed under Memorable Events, Portugal, wines

Changes Are Coming To Avvinare

It’s time for a change, you’ve got to rearrange. Avvinare is going to be getting a makeover so that it is more attractive to the eye but it is mostly the content that is going to expand to cover Italian … Continue reading

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Filed under italy, wines

So much wine, so little time

Do you ever feel like that? So many tastings to go to, so many wines to try, so many varieties to learn. Sometimes the world of wine seems completely impossible to get your mind around. At least it does to … Continue reading

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Wine of the Week: South African Shiraz from Muratie

My wine of the week is a South African Shiraz 2007 from Muratie Estate. I was shocked to find that I kept going back for more of this wine during the England vs. USA world cup match. I was invited … Continue reading

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Italian Indigenous Grapes: Bianco d’Alessano and some other “B” grapes

I have been writing a dictionary of sorts on Alta Cucina’s website of Italian indigenous grape varieties. It is very slow going because there are more than 3000. In fact, no one know exactly how many there are. On the … Continue reading

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Filed under wines, italy, Italian regions, Italian indigenous Grape Varieties, South Africa

Italian Wine Blogs To Know: Three Favorites

There are as many Italian wine blogs as there are American ones certainly, perhaps many more. Three that I like to read have joined forces, VINO IGP (i giovani promettenti) and are creating a column called Garantito IGP which is … Continue reading

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Filed under Italian wineries, italy

Personal Celebrations: Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. 51 Years and counting….

Once in while I use this blog for personal celebrations. Today is one of those days. Today, is my parent’s 51st wedding anniversary. Truly remarkable in this day and age. Last year I made my parents a movie with my … Continue reading

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Women in Wine Fridays: Campania’s Famed Producers Marisa Cuomo and Silvia Imparato

At Vinitaly this past year, I finally had the occasion to wines by two of Campania’s most famous women: Marisa Cuomo and Silvia Imparato from Montevetrano. Truth to be told, I had tasted a number of Marisa Cuomo wines at … Continue reading

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Filed under Italian indigenous Grape Varieties, Italian regions, Italian wineries, italy, wines, Women in Wine

Festa della Repubblica – 2 Giugno

For the years that I lived in Italy, la Festa della Repubblica was always a big ponte, or holiday weekend. I never remember anyone being too patriotic about it or any serious celebrations just friends planning weekend holidays but here … Continue reading

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Filed under Italian Delicacies, Italian recipes, italy, wines