This morning I walked a 10k to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. The race was all women in Central Park. There were so many of us.over 8,000 and so many people cheering on Team In Training runners/walkers, etc that it felt really celebratory. Lots of people donated to my fundraising page and I very touched. I had a few people to see today so after playground and sprinkler time, I was really ready for a nice glass of wine. I have found a new place to hang out on the Upper West Side, Acqua. It’s been there for a long time but I had never gone until recently. I had a glass of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, something I never do. Oddly enough, it was the first Italian DOC wine in 1966. The wine received its DOCG designation in 1993.

Vernaccia is not an easy grape. The wine is generally pretty bitter and acidic. It has to be made from 90% Vernaccia and 10% of other grapes but non-aromatic ones.

I have had many Vernaccia over the years but it has never been my favorite, until one summer when I brought a bottle of wine from Podere la Marronaia called Visla to Cape Cod. I had met the owners years ago,  Luigi Dei and Silvia Morrocchi, and their sons Pietro and Corrado. I remember Luigi was doing the New York Marathon. I enjoyed reconnecting with their wine today. Their grapes are organic certified and they pay a lot of attention to their practices. A friend used to make their wine but I think she is no longer involved. I can’t wait for this year’s Lobster evenings on the Cape.