Fiorentino Sandri insists, as do virtually all Italian winemakers, in rinsing
the glasses with wine.
Italy uses more wine to rinse stemware than some countries produce annually!
Young Federico Sandri is tasting some of their Pinot Nero (from a properly
rinsed glass, of course).
Since we had not eaten anything in a couple of hours, naturally, it was time for
dinner!
We drove up the hill from the winery to Chateau Sandri (the place is
remarkable...the view of the valley is incredible and the entry way and living
room are large enough to accommodate a soccer game).
We started with a bottle of bubbly, DOM POJER & SANDRI, of course.
The bubbly was outstanding with the Calamari and Potato first course. This
was served warm and was a fabulous combination of flavors and textures.
Even better when you pour on some fresh, green, fruity olive oil.
Next we had a stellar plate of pasta: Calamaretti "pasta" with a spicy
tomato sauce and some calamari. The "Besler Ross" was good with
this.
Federico prepared a special plate of some other pasta. The kid is quite
talented, being a wine taster, chef and piano player!
The Chef, Signora Sandri, brought out a superb plate of Dorade cooked with
potatoes and olives.
Five year old Fiamma Sandri is a big fan of this dish and asks her Pop to filet
the best parts!
Fiamma is also a big fan of dessert!
Panna Cotta in this case.
Federico plays the piano.
Nicely, too!
|
THE SANDRI FAMILY VISITS SAN
FRANCISCO
2002 |
FIAMMA SANDRI.
Four Years Old (at the time) and already interested in Motorcycles!
Fiorentino was doing some industrial espionage as we visited a number of
wineries in Sonoma.
Fiamma was very excited when we celebrated her birthday with a home-cooked meal!
Starters including Sushi, Edamame, Olives and Pat.
Crab Cakes to start.
Grilled Lamb and Dunn Cabernet for the main plate.
Fiamma was especially excited by an American Birthday Cake with her name on it
and a few birthday gifts!
FIAMMA LOVES BIRTHDAY CAKE!
Especially one with her name on it.
Mickey Mouse and Fiamma.
ON THEIR ARRIVAL, A FEW DAYS EARLIER:
On their arrival in San Francisco, we made a short stop before getting to their
hotel and had a visit at Ghiradelli Square for an Ice Cream Sundae.
It even comes topped with a Maraschino Cherry!
Brian Weisl and Federico Sandri:
TWO GELATO ENTHUSIASTS.
|
BRIAN AND HIS UNCLE VISIT FAEDO
Summer 2005 |
After a few days in Friuli, we drove to Trentino and had
some wonderful days with our friends.
Fiorentino has a look out the window towards some prime Pojer & Sandri
vineyards on the hill in the distance.
In the cellar.
They have a nice "library" of bottles from the past decade, or so.
Brian strikes a statuesque pose by the driveway of Palazzo Sandri.
Young Fiamma is a big fan of Pojer & Sandri wines.
Fiorentino pours a sip of an excellent 2004 Mller-Thurgau.
Federico has as much gel in his hair as does Brian!
Dinner began with a wonderful risotto-like rendition of Farro.
Brian enjoyed the farro, too.
Fiorentino opened a 1991 Faye Bianco, a wine which we found to still be alive!
The main course featured polenta with roasted rabbit and a delicious bowl of
wild mushrooms.
Funghi!
The rabbit was excellent! There was also a bowl of sausages in a tomato
sauce.
We had some red wines from the birth years of Federico and Brian. Both
vintages (1991 and 1992) were very good.
Federico was busy in the kitchen for quite a while. He was preparing warm
chocolate volcano cakes...
Pojer & Sandri have a new dessert wine called "Merlino."
It's a wine fortified with some very old brandy and resembles Banyuls or
Port. It's not been released yet, but seems promising.
Federico then sat down at the piano and played some terrific tunes.
Fiamma looks good with a guitar.
The next day Brian, Federico, Elisa and I went visiting wineries in the Alto
Adige.
The
following day we went for more tasting...this time in the Trentino area.
We
visited the Queen of Teroldego, Elisabetta Foradori.
Elisabetta.
After a stop at Maso Poli back in the hills, we drove to Grumo and had a quick
lunch at Ristorante Da Pino, a most unassuming place from the outside, but quite
serious in the kitchen.
Gnocchi and fettuccine with funghi were perfect with the fresh rosato from Pojer
& Sandri.
We made another stop at a small cellar featuring Marzemino and a Bordeaux blend.
In the cellar at the winery of Eugenio Rosi.
Federico had more gel today at this time.
Back at Palazzo Sandri, we had an al fresco dinner.
Brian has more gel at this stage.
I'm not sure what Elisa was doing.
Fiamma.
Many thanks to the Sandri Family for their wonderful hospitality!
We had a fabulous time in Faedo!
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