Venice today is struggling with very low water (acqua bassa). Quite a different problem from acqua alta (the high water). Here’s Murano on a day where the canals were spilling onto the sidewalks.
Cicchetti
When in Venice, one of the tricks to getting the “real deal” cuisine is getting away from the touristy areas and eating as the locals do. Which means skip the shady pizza joints and “menu turistico” places with hawkers begging you to look at the menu as soon as you get off the boat, and dig into the city to find out where the locals are noshing.
You’ll find some amazing treats at bacaro type establishments pouring spritzes and serving up cicchetti that are just to die for. We’ll show you where! Make sure you click to enlarge.
Montelupo Albese
Don’t sweat it if you don’t follow the Italian narration in this video exposition of the magical little town that is Montelupo Albese–the pictures and video clips speak for themselves. A picturesque village on a hilltop between equally picturesque Rodello and Diano D’Alba, Montelupo has some of the best views of the eastern side of the hills that make up Barolo country. We love it there, and you’ll see why when you watch.
Burano Acqua Alta
Even on a rainy, high tide kind of day, the colors of Burano are magic on the water.
Tajarin con Tartufi!
One of the more exquisite flavors you can enjoy anywhere–truffles, butter, cheese, and homemade pasta. Pair it with a dolcetto or a nebbiolo for an epic pairing win.
Triumphant Portrait by Sassi Drawing
Amazing lighting.
How to Ship Wine Home Safely: Reviewing the Lazenne Wine Check
Our thoughts on the Lazenne Wine Check in the video below; a few minor quibbles aside, it really performed admirably! We got thirteen lovely bottles safely home from Piemonte, Friuli, and the Veneto with nary a scratch.
They’re not for sale on Amazon yet in the US, but fear not–if you’re going to be traveling in the EU and want one to take bottles home with you safely, get in touch and we’ll put you in touch with the right folks.
Cantina Francone: Magic in Neive!
A little video insight into the remarkable cellars at Cantina Francone. Enjoy! Many thanks to Fabrizio Francone, Evan Byrne, and Valeria Quintanilla for our introduction to this fascinating must-taste destination in Piemonte.
Valpolicella: Microclimate Differences and Lake Garda
Discussion around the importance of microclimate for the end product in a very underrated wine region.
After speaking about Valpolicella and differences related to altitude (see https://charlesscicolone.wordpress.com/2016/11/14/valpolicella-background-and-the-influence-of-altitude/), Alberto Brunelli, the oenologist for the Consorzio Valpolicella, turned to the subject of microclimate variations and the influence of Lake Garda. He divided the second group of wines accordingly.
The distance of vineyards from Garda Lake: the further they are, the maximum summer temperatures are higher and can influence the vines and their expression in wine in many ways. From west (near the lake) to east (far from it), we have this trend:
Distance from the lake, along with the vineyards’ sun exposition and altitude influence every single valley’s and vineyard’s temperature. The daily temperature range affects the polyphenolic and anthocyanin potential in a vintage, as well as the body, the color and the aging of the wine.
The Wines
Gerardo Cesari Valpolicella DOC Classico 2015 made from 75% Corvina and 25% Rondinella. Harvest is from September 20
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