Time to reflect on our 2017 trip to Southern Italy: the many highlights, new friends/old friends and learning experiences; this Part One post features reflections from Calabria. Our first trip to Calabria – we loved our four days in Calabria from the three olive oil producers to the five wineries and the agriturismo,
On Friday May 19th there was a grand tasting of Terre del Principe wines hosted by Manuela Piancastelli, Peppe Mancini, Vias Imports and Krokidas & Bluestein. The tasting was held at Krokidas & Bluestein’s offices located in the Federal Reserve Building; featuring panoramic views of the Boston skyline. We welcomed
On my first six trips to Southern Italy I visited Basilicata (the Region of my heritage) and Campania (the Region of many new friends). This past autumn, my seventh trip, I visited the Region of Puglia, which is located at the heel in the boot of Italy. Italy is comprised of 20 Regions;
Giulia Restaurant in Cambridge, MA http://www.giuliarestaurant.com is the real deal; all Italian cuisine, both the food and the wine. Roseann and I had a most enjoyable dining experience at Giulia’s this evening. We ate at the bar because reservations are not available until one month from today. The restaurant opens at
As I prepared for the 12th annual tasting for my Krokidas & Bluestein colleagues (photo above is from last year’s tasting), I reflected on how the tasting has evolved. At the first tasting I was asked whether I had visited any of the wineries; the answer was no. But the question prompted
Roseann, Karen and I spent two weeks in Southern Italy this past fall. Roseann’s sister Cathy and her husband Mel joined us part way through the trip. The first two days we stayed at Lo Scrigno B&B, a short walk to the center of Montemiletto, Avellino. The B&B, which is centrally located in
There is a popular saying “Life is too short to drink bad wine”; you find it on serving trays, towels, napkins, etc. I agree with the saying and suggest that there should be a parallel saying “Life is too short to consume bad olive oil”. There have been many documented
After many years I have finally found what I have been looking for; a dining experience that replicates my Southern Italy dining experiences. Enoteca Umberto, 256 Atwell Ave. Providence (Federal Hill) is an unpretentious small restaurant (18 inside seats; several more outside) that captures the essence of Southern Italy cuisine.
On day two of our trip we enjoyed a day long celebration with friends from the Irpinia wine region. Our first stop was at Bambinuto; our fourth visit in as many years. We updated each other on our families, the latest vintages and whatever else came to mind. Marilena is an innovator. She
It has been two weeks since we hosted our last grand wine tasting. This report is overdue, but I have been busy planting our garden, coaching baseball (yes I still coach and my sons “retired” over five years ago, I am a baseball lifer and still can hit a mean fly ball