Anybody else headed over for some of the various fairs/trade shows, etc.?
Sitting at Newark now - glad to leave cold, grey, and rain behind (it was 23F and great sunshine in Milano today), after a week in NYC area, read: cold, grey, rain…for a week, basically; I’m looking forward to the change).
Looks like a great trip lined up, Tim. I’m envious.
I assume, whilst in the Valtelline, you know of Fratelli Ciapponi in Morbegno?? Great place for provisions.
You can even find 15 yr old Bitto cheese there.
Tom
Just back from a brief trip. When asked by the accommodation provider of what brought me to Torino “Devo fare la spesa” was the response. Only my ‘getting the groceries’ may be a little different to the usual supermarket run!
Brief general observations
There seem many more places offering wine from the tap, put into refillable containers for modest prices. Definitely a market that has enough customers
Europe/EU very much in the minds of Italians, and it seemed at times I couldn’t avoid discussions on Brexit and the Italian perspective on Europe/EU. Politics is not for this forum, but it may be useful to know the subject may come up in discussions.
Italian enoteche are still often warmer than I would like, but I suspect even those with aircon weren’t using it, as it’s still considered cold by the locals, even when the sun is out.
Yup…absolutely spectacular vnyds up there. Extreme viticulture. The views from up in the vnyds are incredible.
One mis-step and over you go, landing hundreds of feet below in the village.
Can hardly wait to get back there.
Tom
We are headed over to Italy for an extended vacation next week (after a couple days in NJ). Hitting several cities and towns by train. We intend on drinking a lot of good wine though we don’t have any specific winery visits planned. A future Piedmont wine vacation is in the planning stage .
No formal note (yet), but just want to say that one of the standout wines today was the 2003 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà that Gabriele brought with him for the tasting. I see the notes/scores, but have to say this was in top form today and likely to be just inside the door to its preferred window. Nothing raisin/oxidized or otherwise off. Really great, exciting even. Another ten or more excellent years yet ahead.