A SMALL VISIT IN ITALIA
2002
I arrived in Roma a few days before a "tour de
France." My excursion was to visit a few wineries in Umbria and Lazio
whose wines we have enjoyed.
Special thanks to Gianpaolo Chiettini, Antonio Enriu and Carlo Perini, for
taking time out of their busy lives to join me!
Gianpaolo organized a wonderful dinner at La Gramola in Tavernelle, an excellent
trattoria! The Bistecca was unusually good.
The ribs at La Gramola are also excellent!
Pierro slices the Bistecca. He's not only capable with a knife and fork,
but he's a good winemaker, too!
Pierro's daughter Giulia Masi dreams of a visit to America.
Pierro's Colmano wines are quite good. Chianti Classico.
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The next morning we visited the Falesco winery in Lazio.
Antonio is, seemingly, puzzled by one of the wines.
Though these gentlemen enjoyed some of the wines we drank on this trip, they
each found a favorite at the Colli Amerini winery. Colorino was enjoyed by
all!
We had a lovely dinner and overnight stay at the Enoteca Locanda Piazza Onofri
in Bevagna, Umbria. Carlo selected some interesting Sagrantino wines to go
with the delicious menu!
Here's more info on dining at this wonderful place:
PIAZZA ONOFRI
The next morning we were busy tasting wine!
Arnaldo Caprai's Tasting Room...Isabella Preziosi is quite knowledgeable about
the wines of Arnaldo Caprai. She handles the tasting room and is delighted
to show off the cellars. She can speak about the vines as well as the
wines.
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Then we drove to Assisi where we visited the amazing Sportoletti winery.
Signor Sportoletti showed us some excellent wines and an exceptional olive oil!
A Sportoletti Spuntino was much appreciated!
Next on the tour was "Brogalvini."
I was more pleased with these modestly-priced wines than the others.
Gianpaolo.Chiantini
Antonio went back to Milano before our late afternoon, all-night visit at La
Palazzola. With Stefano Grilli we tasted a range of wines, from dry bubbly
to sweet, dessert wines.
Driving to Firenze was a challenge!
We arrived late, but still found a place for pizza...can't say this was
particularly good.
The wood oven was used to cook the pizza crust which was then topped with fresh
arugula, cardboard-like tomatoes (yes, they grow them in Europe like that,
too!!!), prosciutto and mozzarella. It was more like a "salad"
served on a flavorless cracker.
Gianpaolo took us to a special place in Firenze...
Carlo and I drove to Emilia-Romagna and stopped in at the Barbolini winery to
see how they make Lambrusco. Since they're near Modena, they also produce
Aceto Balsamico.
Barbolini's "Acetaia."
We then searched for Antonio's suggested restaurant....
Click here for
more....
