As it turns out, we did a lot more than just "taste" a handful of wines. Our gracious host Luigi, owner and operator, placed a plate in front of each of us with a generous helping of delicious cheese, bread, and salami. Then he poured a dinner glass' worth of the first wine. He stood back, asking us to show him our wine tasting technique. Of course Kim got high marks for her sloshing, but I think I also scored well due to my swirling and smelling. After we had established ourselves as seasoned wine tasters, he kept the glasses coming, stating that you need a big mouthful to really appreciate the wine. He also wanted us to try each wine with the cheese, bread, and salami to determine our favorite combinations.
Nine fantastic wines later, he simply explained to write down the quantities of each type that we wanted delivered to our home. He was a very charismatic salesman, full of information about wine making, but I doubt he ever has to make a really hard sale. After two hours of delicious wine and snacks, who says, "I think we'll pass"? We ordered some bottles on one condition, that he could delay the shipment for a few weeks. We've trusted our mothers with souvenir shipments before, but not this time!
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Ok, you guys are having too much fun. Megan alerted us about your being in Italy. A few thoughts. Megan's cousin Kate Reingold has been in Florence since September going to the Gonzaga campus there. She probably has all sorts of insights on Firenze. kreingold@gonzaga.edu. They have class through Thursday and then take off on Friday to visit all over Italy and Europe. Not bad! Lucca is a way cool town, with wonderful park on top of the star fort that surrounds the city. Siena is a hilly town with lots of character, pretty killer duomo. Orvieto is where we take our trips. Another great duomo - you churched out yet? Behind the duomo is Champagneria owned by Velia deAngelis and Gianluca. This is a way cool champagne and wine bar. Velia is wonderful, a fabulous chef and Gianluca runs the bar. Very small. Tell them we sent you. It is at the corner of the main drag running to the Duomo (via Postierla) and the first street behind the duomo. If you need a place to stay, go to Istituto San Lodovico in Piaza Ranieri. Sister Giovanna is the boss. Tell her we sent you. About 60 Euro for a double includes breakfast. If they know you are connected to us, they will love you. They speak no English. Food: La Palomba, very local on via C. Manente. Trattoria dell Orso owned by Ciro. He will speak menu - there is no written one. Get whatever he suggests - fabulous. But the best is with Cristian Manca at Trattoria del Moro Aronne under the clock tower on Via s. Leonardo. Tell Cristian we sent you, ask him what to get and have it! Vin cafe is another great wine, beer, light food place on Via Fillipppeschi. Cristian and Stefano run it. Finally, Alberto Bellini is on Piazza Ranieri. He makes and sells ceramics, some "very different" Just tell him you know us and he'll be your friend. Oh yeah - Scarponi's for coffee in Piazza Popolo. Into jewelry, check out Oragami on Via Duomo. Not a lot of night life in Orvieto - Champagneria and Vin Cafe are your best bets - maybe the Blue Bar near Istituto San Lodovico. Near Orvieto is Civita this amazing little town perched on a hill that you can only get to by a bridge. Rome is great, so much to see, can be overwhelming. Stay in Trastevere which is on the other side of the river from all the touristy stuff, but close. Have fun. Baci!! If you have questions e-mail us: bill@adventuresinitaly.net Kristi and Bill Steiner
Wow! Thanks for all the info. Today we were deciding if we should go to Orvieto, and now I'm sure we will.
A similar experience in France is the reason we still have 8 bottles of French wine ageing at home. We had visited three winemakers in one day and probably tasted 20 wines. Unfortunately we bought an entire case of the last wine we tasted -- it certainly wasn't the best even though we thought it was amazing at the time. We look forward to seeing you guys soon -- we can share a few bottles and compare wine tasting form.
poop. i wish i was drinking wine in italy. instead of battling strep in coon rapids. (or as i lovingly call it, crapids). i demand a taste when you come home :)
It was a wise decision to delay the wine shipment!!!!
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