By Margaret Cowan

Piedmont

If you love rich Italian red wines, enjoy outstanding Italian cuisine, revel in taking a relaxing stroll through the countryside and appreciate meeting lots of friendly local characters; Piedmont is for you!

Piedmont, in the north west corner of Italy, bordering France to the west and mountains to the north, includes Turin, the home of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

Turin

Turin, the capital of Piedmont, has a historic centre with some Baroque buildings, elegant, 19th century cafes and the rich Royal Palace, still glittering in gold. The Egyptian museum is second only to Cairo’s. The Cinema Museum tracing the history of Italian cinema is unusual and great fun. Turin is full of tempting gastronomy, shops, good restaurants and cultural events including symphony and opera. It’s a city that encourages walking, with a series of covered arched sidewalks.

Barolo & Barbaresco Wine Country: Home to Some of Italy’s Top Reds

The famous, Barolo and Barbaresco wine country, an hour south of Turin, will awe you with its series of gentle hills and valleys covered in vineyards, fields and forests. Little towns with imposing medieval castles crown some hill-tops. On a clear day you can see the Alps. Peaceful walking paths take you through vineyards and hills; expansive views replenish the soul!

The rich, fertile soil yields the famous white truffles of Alba, hazelnuts, mushrooms, peaches, cherries and lots of fruit, sweet peppers and lots of vegetables and of course grapes for robust and aromatic wines

Wines and Wine Towns

Barolo is one of Italy’s top red wines, ranking with Brunello of Montalcino in Tuscany. You’ll discover a wonderful hierarchy of red wines from robust Barolo and elegant Barbaresco to mid range full bodied Barbera and Nebbiolo to younger, fruity Dolcetto. Winery visits can range from the famous to the not yet famous, from the big to small so you get a real feel for the culture and people behind the wines. Very hospitable winery owners love telling you all about their wines, as you drink them together.

Explore the nine Barolo and three Barbaresco wine towns, small places where life goes at a slower pace. Tour the castles like the one in the town of Barolo where Barolo wine began, eat top quality food whether at a trattoria or a Michelin star restaurant. Stroll around Alba, the area hub, known for its medieval towers in its compact historic centre, its gastronomy shops with names like “Sins of the Throat”, markets, fall white truffle fair.

The Outstanding Cuisine

The outstanding cuisine mixes Italian country style with French influences. Piedmont is famous for its incredible array of hot and cold appetizers like spinach flan with fonduta sauce, bagna cauda (raw or cooked vegetables dipped in a hot sauce of olive oil, garlic, anchovies), roasted peppers with tuna stuffing.

Pasta is limited to the delicate, thin tajarin (tagliatelle) and the “melt in your mouth” agnolotti (stuffed pasta) with butter and sage leaves. Risotto made with Barolo or with Castelmagno cheese is especially good.

Meats are often simmered long and slowly like the famous, rich Brasato al Barolo, a veal roll simmered in vegetables, herbs and copious quantities of Barolo.

Desserts range from hazelnut chocolate cake with Moscato (dessert wine) zabaglione, to pears simmered in Barolo, to semi freddo with torrone (hazelnut nougat).

Experiences as rich as the red wine, as highly prized as the white truffle, are waiting for you under the blue skies of Piedmont. Bring home stories, photos, recipes, knowledge of a different lifestyle and adventures to entertain your family and friends.

About the Author
Margaret Cowan is Mama Margaret. She owns Mama Margaret & Friends Cooking, Wine & Walking Adventures in Italy. If you like to immerse yourself in the local culture, learn to cook local dishes and meet unique characters when you travel, you will appreciate Margaret’s Insider Travel Tips at: http://www.italycookingschools.com

Writer: Margaret Cowan at http://www.italycookingschools.com Margaret@italycookingschools.com

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/5725/1.html

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You can` find a better destination than Italy, if you are looking to enjoy history & culture, scenic beauty, art & architectural wealth, top quality night life, long sandy beaches, high rolling mountains, and sports excellence in your vacation. Certainly, Italy is a comprehensive vacation destination offering something of everyone`s taste. So, if you are planning to have football holidays or vacations in Italy, go aheahttp://www.italytravelnotes.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=452&action=editd!

Photograph by Tiziano

Football is the first love of Italians, while rugby, hockey and cricket are also popular in various places throughout Italy. Italy has plenty of pro football clubs, but some clubs, located at popular vacation destinations, really make popular football vacation destinations. You can find football at almost all popular destinations of Italy. The capital of Italy is an incredible destination for your soccer holidays. Famous for its AS Roma and SS Lazio football clubs, Rome is home to the Stadio Olimpico. Surely, you can enjoy lot of football in Rome, it won`t disappoint you.

Veneto, the region packed with natural, historical, and artistic beauty, has a number of top class football clubs, such as A.C. ChievoVerona (Verona), Treviso F.B.C. 1993 (Treviso), Hellas Verona F.C. (Verona), Vicenza Calcio (Vicenza), A.S. Cittadella (Cittadella), Calcio Padova (Padua), and S.S.C. Venezia (Venice).

Venice is one of the loveliest cities of Italy. It is mainly the city of love, romance, and beauty, but you can find lot of football in Venice. S.S.C. Venezia (Società Sportiva Calcio Venezia) is an Italian football Serie C1 club based in Venice, Veneto. You can really enjoy great quality football at the Pierluigi Penzo, the home ground of the club.

Tuscany, one of the major attractions of Italy, is amply packed with professional football clubs. Some of the major football clubs of Tuscany include Empoli F.C. (Empoli), ACF Fiorentina (Florence), A.S. Livorno Calcio (Livorno), A.C. Siena (Siena), A.C. Arezzo (Arezzo), U.S. Grosseto F.C. (Grosseto), A.S. Lucchese-Libertas (Lucca), U.S. Massese 1919 (Massa), Pisa Calcio (Pisa), and A.C. Pistoiese (Pistoia).

Fantastically beautiful city of Florence is a cultural, artistic and architectural gem of Italy. It is one of the top attractions of Italy. Home to ACF Fiorentina, the city really offers you great facility of Italian football. Generally known as “i Viola” (the purple ones), ACF Fiorentina is the club that usually plays at ‘Comunale’ Stadium and Stadio Artemio Franchi. The stadium is also home to A.C. Siena, the football club of Siena, the city best known for a colorful horse race, Il Palio.

Naples, the capital of the Campania region in Italy, is another wonderful football vacation destination. The city is famous for its vast artistic heritage; the historic centre of Naples is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The iconic sight of the gulf of Naples is the most powerful symbolic images of Italy. The city offers you S.S.C. Napoli, the professional football club based in Naples.

Milan is the top destination in Lombardy region. It is often dubbed as the “fashion capitals of the world, the “paradise for shoppers. The city is known for its Opera houses and vibrant night life. Milan is also known for its football clubs, such as A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano, which make it a top football vacation destination.

Author Info:
Author writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for Florence Hotels, Venice Villas, Bed & Breakfasts, and Italy holiday & vacation accommodation & apartments.

Source: Article Depot – Search Free Articles

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David Redfern

Think of Italy and you’re most likely to think of its love affair with fashion and fast cars than a second home in the sun. Outstanding cuisine, delicious wines, stunning countryside and a rich cultural heritage all still figure but the eternally stylish nation has been more often than not a leader not a follower when it comes to property trends. Until now that is.

Casting off its underdog status in the last few years, Italy is rapidly usurping traditional favourites like Spain and France with its eclectic range of state of the art villas and dilapidated country houses ripe for restoration.

A Tuscan Tale (Of Caution)

The well trodden path from Tuscany is an immediate favourite for first time house hunters eager to enjoy familiar creature comforts. Fulled by a thousand postcard images, it’s already a challenge to find an apartment or villa well matched to a modest investment budget. The canny bargain hunter should instead look to the east and venture into the lush countryside of Umbria. Only an hour or so from Florence by train, Umbria is an area largely unspoilt and un-chartered by foreign buyers.

The only land locked region in Italy, Umbria and its capital Perugia overflows with an abundance of culture and history. Home of the Etruscans and a suffering an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the arts, Umbrian property hunters focusing their search on the regional capital will find apartments and country properties with ease.

Modern builds are few and far between in the rolling valleys of Umbria so expect to invest time and money before renting the property out. This investment is offset by low initial purchase prices – expect to pay around 40,000 euros for farmhouses and casali (old country properties) requiring some degree of restoration.

La Dolce Vita?

Another new region worth investigating if you want to invest in property in Italy is Puglia on the boot’s southernmost tip. Property prices in Italy are generally cheaper the further south you venture, making the coastal region ripe for investment. Hemmed by the Adriatic sea, the inner reaches of Puglia are bedecked with olive groves and fruit orchards.

Adding a Puglian property to an investment portfolio is a good bet for rental income – the gentle climate and network of criss crossing cobbled streets, sandy beaches, medieval towers and sun-drenched piazzas make it an up and coming holiday destination. New, two bedroom apartments in the town of Vico del Gargano can currently be found for less than 60,000 pounds.

In nearby Naples, comparable ground or first floor properties with garden and swimming pool are on sale for around 38,000 euros showing just how much it pays to shop around. As Naples is already a name familiar to many, expect summer rental incomes of around 1500 euros per month.

Although the Italian government does not place any restrictions on foreigners buying property in Italy, it is always worth engaging an English-speaking lawyer to guide you through the Italian property market minefield. Without one, would you know what a compromesso is or when it is signed for example? A good lawyer will advise you at every stage of the purchase, from agreeing terms to advising you when to place the deposit and what percentage of the price is required by law.

For more information about property investment in Italy and details of Italian property for sale, visit www.davidstanleyredfern.com or email: info@davidstanleyredfern.com

About David Stanley Redfern Ltd

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is an overseas property specialist, working directly with developers in more than forty countries. Most properties are exclusive to David Stanley Redfern Ltd, giving an unparalleled selection of resale and new builds.

David Stanley Redfern Ltd is AIPP accredited. For more information, visit http://www.davidstanleyredfern.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Redfern

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Here is a simple recipe of how to prepare one of the most delicious Sicilian sweets – the cannolo:

Ingredients for 10 servings:
For the waffle
300 g white flour
30 g sugar
25 g butter
1 glass of marsala
1 pinch of salt
1 egg
Olive oil

For the filling
300 g of ricotta cheese
150 g of sugar
1 glass of rum
½ pack of vanilla

To prepare the shape of the cannolo
You would need 10 bamboo or metal cylinders long around 12 cm and with a 3 cm diameter, covered with olive oil

Preparation of the waffle

Mix all the ingredients for the cannolo (without the egg), until you get a smooth texture, knead it and form a compact ball out of it, cover it with a napkin and leave it in a cool place for half an hour. Then knead for some more minutes and leave again for 30 min. Roll out the dough until you make a thin leaf out of it. Then cut it in quadrangles of 10 cm on each side and pass over a thin film of the beaten egg.

Roll the dough quadrangles around the cylinders, so that you start from one angle of the quadrangle and make it meet with the opposite angle around the cylinder. Fry in hot oil. Remove the cylinders only when the waffles have cooled.

Preparation of the filling
Then mix well the ricotta cheese with the sugar, the vanilla and the rum. You can also add small pieces of orange peel or chocolate. Fill in the waffles with this mixture and you can decorate the both ends with dried fruit or chocolate powder. You can also spread a bit of powdered sugar over the connolo.

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In the Italy Travel Notes first videocast we are going to discover the Baroque town of Noto in Sicily.

Videocast 1 Italy Travel Notes presents Noto in Sicily

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By: Jennifer Weiss

Italy is a country filled with lush, vibrant landscapes and stirring regions that remind one of the rich historical relevance of this diverse country. From the stunning architecture of Florence to the fashion of Milan to the ruins of Rome, you can find an abundance of sights that will take your breath away upon first glance and draw you in with their sheer magnificence. Travel through the regions of Italy for your next vacation and experience all this glorious country offers to its visitors.

A journey to Tuscany is well worth the adventure for any traveler who can appreciate fine wine, exquisite cuisine, and a beautiful rolling countryside that appears to have jumped right off the canvas. Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance, is a must-see for its famous museums and galleries such as the Uffizi, which houses a wealth of Renaissance art, and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. In Pisa, known for the recognizable leaning tower, visitors can enjoy the impressive medieval architecture and soak in the lively atmosphere by strolling the busy streets and the grassy square.

In the northern region of Lombardy, visitors can enjoy the capital city of Milan with its upscale fashion and exceptional cultural attractions. Milan is well known for its place atop the fashion industry and here visitors will find the flagship stores for designers such as Prada, Armani, and Dolce and Gabbana. In addition to shopping, visitors will want to head to the historical opera house La Scoula and enjoy one of the regularly staged operas, ballets, or concerts in the most acoustically perfect theatre in the world.

The center of commerce and culture, Rome sits in the Latium region and boasts strong and resilient historical sights that no visitor should miss. Home to the Pantheon and Colosseum, visitors can take in these incredible pieces of architecture that have withstood the test of time and hark back to far different eras. In the center of Rome lies the sovereign Vatican state, which is the symbolic home of Catholics around the world and the residence of the Pope. For views of two of the most breathtaking religious buildings, head over to St. Pete’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, which Michelangelo meticulously painted in a span of four years.

Located about six miles east of Naples, a journey to Mount Vesuvius is a worthwhile excursion for those who are intrigued by the rich and volatile history of the only active volcano on the European mainland. The area around the mountain is now a national park and visitors can explore the small network of paths that travel around the mountain for a glimpse of this towering monstrosity. For those with more than a passing interest, visitors are also allowed to reach the summit by foot (after driving within 200 feet) or they can make their way to the crater from the spiral walkway that leads off the road.

In the southern portion of Italy, Naples is perched along the Bay of Naples, providing the most beautiful water views in all of Italy. When searching for food to satisfy your appetite, Naples is the perfect place to try pizza in Italy since this is the birthplace of the pizza pie. After a filling meal, visitors can make their way to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to view one of the most complete collections of Greek and Roman relics and afterwards, wander the winding, narrow streets of the Spaccanapoli and stop by any of the numerous churches and shops.

Whether you plan on traveling throughout the country or planting yourself in your favorite region, you can find the perfect accommodations for your adventure by staying in Italy vacation rentals. There is a wide selection of apartments, villas, and houses located throughout Italy that make it easy to enjoy the rich history and beautiful landscapes of this country. Begin your search for the perfect rental today so you can experience the amazingly diverse Italian vacation of your dreams.

About the Author
http://www.GreatRentals.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Italy vacation rentals for your next trip to Europe.

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By Michael Hanna

Italy’s ideal climate, animated people and passion for cuisine make it a perfect destination for independent travellers seeking much more than a one dimensional package holiday.

Choosing where to start a trip of discovery in Italy is difficult with so many must sees but Florence, as the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of Renaissance is a great option. Florence’s stunning architecture, rich culture, fascinating history and famous romantic atmosphere make it one of Europe’s top city break destinations.

Tuscany is said to be the most beautiful region in Italy and the cultural and historical impact of Florence is overwhelming. The city is like a museum in itself and the historical centre is best seen on foot. The centre is very atmospheric and strolling around the city discovering medieval spires, narrow streets, galleries and spectacular architecture is an amazing experience. The famous Michelangelo “David”, the wonderful Duoma and the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) are must see sights that you will never forget. Be sure to reward yourself with a delicious flavour of ‘gelato’ or powerful ‘espresso’ in a street side café or just rest your weary feet and take the chance to watch the stylish and graceful Italians strut their stuff.

Hiring a car will let you explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside or Italy’s picturesque coastline. A very pleasant drive takes you to the Chianti region which is found between Florence and Sienna. This is a truly beautiful part of Italy and perfect for a vineyard tour where you can sample the famous local wine.

The Tuscan coastline is another area to discover. The beaches are beautiful with clear water at a perfect temperature for swimming. The Tuscan coastline has great character too with its ports, bays, charming villages and ancient rocks. It is an ideal place to relax and unwind after your city experience. For further information on Florence, Tuscany and Italy see the Italian Tourism site.

Such a trip is made easy with car hire in Florence being in abundance. You will find that most large car hire companies in Florence.

See Florence and Tuscany as it should be seen. There is so much on offer in this magical region that has to be seen to be truly appreciated.

About the Author
Author:
Michael Hanna

About Michael
Michael is a keen writer, and internet marketer living in Scotland.

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By Marcos

Versilia is a the name of part of the coast of Tuscany in the province of Lucca.
It stretches between Marina di Massa on the north and Massaciuccoli Lake on the south.
It is a very renomated zone of national and international appeal for bathing and summer holidays.Its main centres are:

Versilia occupies the north-western part of Tuscany, between the ridge of the Apuan Alps and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The area includes the Communes of Viareggio, Camaiore, Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, Massarosa, Seravezza and Stazzema, the Regional Park of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli to the South and the Park of Apuane to the North. It is close to art cities such as Lucca (20 Km), Pisa (21 Km) and Florence (100 Km).

Economy

Versilia economy is extremely various. Along the coast predominates the touristic and receptive activity with more than 650 hotels for every kind of need and means, from five-star luxury hotels to the boarding houses, from residences to camp sites, and e few farm holidays. This activity influences also the fields of commerce, bathing and restoration. In the hinterland, besides the growing of tourism, prevalent activities are still those linked to marble extraction and working. In Viareggio the yard activity for pleasure-boat has developped. This is one of the most important in Italy. In the agricultural field dominates the floriculture activity that has a commercial result in Viareggio Flower Market, without forgetting horticulture and the culture of olives on the hills.

Climate

Versilia enjoys a peaceful mild and temperate climate all year long. The average temperature goes from 10°, during the winter, to 25°, during the summer. Due
to the vicinity of the Apuane to the sea, rains are abundant during the whole year; whereas during the summer there are short but strong thunderstorms.

Things to do

It is possible to come to Versilia on holidays during the whole year.
During the summer, when the sun heats the sandy beaches, the vicinity of the Apuane mitigates the heat and the climate becomes pleasant with windy days and fresh nights. During the day, it is possible to enjoy oneself on the beach and take a plunge in the sea, or a walk within the green of the pine forests, on the hills or on mountain paths, or take a visit to art cities and small villages well known to mass tourism.

During the night, there is only the embarrassment of choosing, from night clubs to open door theatres, from shopping to cultural exhibitions, from gastronomic feats (“sagre”) to simple walks. Following the trend of Capannina in Forte dei Marmi and Bussola in Focette, two night clubs that are the symbols of the golden years, in Versilia are gathered pubs, piano bars and disco bars, discos, and other meeting places where music trends are able to satisfy every needs, from jazz to opera, from classical music to the latin-american one.

About the Author

Marcos is Webmaster of Guida Versilia .
Guide about Versilia (in Tuscany), with information on towns, local history, seaside vacations, tourist information, accommodation activities and events.

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/5701/1.html

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by Clint Jhonson

What do you think about when you hear someone talk about Sicily? Some of us think about old movies with Sicilian Mob. If you want to discover a new face of Sicily and a wonderful travel destination, do not hesitate to include it among your places-to-spend-the-holiday inventory. An autonomous region of Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Here you will find Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe.

Phoenicians, Punic settlers from Carthage and Greeks colonized Sicily, a land with a rich history, in the 8th century BC. Sicily was part of the great Greek civilization. In the year 242 BC, Sicily became a Roman province. Due to its strategic position in the center of the Mediterranean Basin, many settles chose to colonize it. Today, Sicily has a population of almost 5 million, but there are 10 million Sicilian descendants around the world in USA, Argentina, Canada, Australia and EU countries.

The population on the island is very heterogeneous, with many immigrants from Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria, India, Romania, Russia and China. A unique place full of art, beautiful landscapes, archaeology, history and tradition, Sicily is a seventh heaven for tourists. If you want to discover this island, all you have to do is to rent an apartment for the holiday or one of the exquisite Sicily villas. You can do that with a substantial advantage for you by opting for one of the available last minute Sicily packages.

The reason why Sicily fascinates millions of people today is its tumultuous historical past. Sicily was a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate, a Norman kingdom and many more. These civilizations left behind vestiges seen today, such as the Phoenician settlements, Punic cities, Greek temples, Roman amphitheatres and Arab castles. Sicily is a mixture of European, African and Asian influences.

There is also a conglomeration of styles, so you can see classical, Romanesque, gothic and baroque buildings in the same place. This diversity attracts tourists from all over the world, who come to spend an interesting holiday in the beautiful Sicily villas. If you are looking for last minute Sicily accommodation, you will find a list of available apartments and villas.

This land benefits from the blessing of a wonderful landscape, with extravagant mountains and divine beaches, with coasts enclosed by orange and lemon orchards, with delightful forests in the northeast and rolling hills in the centre. Olive plantations, vineyards and wheat fields complete the picture. The blue sky of Sicily and its green fields are unforgettable memories.

Another of Sicily’s attractions is its famous cookery. Here, you will find some unique dishes not made anywhere else in the world, such as “Tonno alla palermitana” (tuna Palermo style), “Il timbale del gattopardo” (Sicilian pie), “Caponata” (eggplants with tomatoes and olives) and “Maccu di San Giuseppe” (bean paste with fennel). There is no wonder that so many people come here for their holiday and that last minute Sicily packages and Sicily villas are in great demand.

On our website, you will find the best Sicily villas and last minute Sicily packages. You will find all the information you need in order to take the right decision: price, location, photos. If you want to discover a magical place where people and traditions from the north, south, east and west mix to create a unique culture, come to Sicily. You will discover the exquisiteness and mixture of an island like no other.

About the Author

Sicily is a land of diversity and great natural beauty, an inimitable historical and cultural place. Spend an unforgettable holiday on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. If you are looking for last minute Sicily accommodation, you may be certain that you will find the best Sicily villas and hotels. This will be the best holiday you ever had.

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By: LeviReiss

Did you ever wonder what the word Riserva on an Italian wine label means? Does it guarantee a fine wine? Can it still be a bargain? This short article will try to answer these questions, and review a Riserva wine that I recently tasted.

The major and sometimes only difference between two Italian wines with the same name on the label except for the word Riserva is the Riserva`s extra aging. For example, Barbaresco wine from the northern Italian region of Piedmont wine is aged for a minimum of two years, one of which must be in oak or chestnut casks. The Barbaresco Riserva version is aged for a minimum of four years, two of which must be in oak or chestnut casks. Let`s look at another example; Piedmonts Barolo, the king of wine and the wine of kings. Barolo is aged for a minimum of 38 months, and Barolo Riserva is aged for a minimum of 60 months. In the first case Riserva means that the wine has been aged in wood for two additional years, while in the second case it means the wine has been aged in wood for 22 additional months. The exact specifications for Riserva depend on the given wine. As you will see in the review of the wine I tasted, the producer may add his or her own additional requirements.

What about the price? Do you have to pay extra for a Riserva wine? The answer is yes. The Riserva process costs money, in part because the wine has been held off the market for all that extra time. But the wine business is complicated. Let`s say that you are always on the lookout for a specific wine. One lucky day you get to your favorite wine store just when the new shipment arrives including both a 2005 and a 2003 Riserva of this wine. To your grand surprise the 2005 costs more than the 2003 Riserva. How could this happen? Perhaps the 2005 is a far superior vintage for this particular wine. Buy what you can. And expect to pay even more for the 2005 Riserva when it finally reaches the marketplace.

Be careful, on occasion the word Riserva means an essentially different wine. The central Italian region of Umbria produces a DOC wine called Torgiano and a DOCG wine called Torgiano Rosso Riserva, both made from the same grape blend with minor changes allowed. A similar situation occurs in the central Italian region The Marche where Rosso Conero is a DOC wine and Rosso Conero Riserva has been accorded the DOCG classification. The grape varieties used in both wines are the same, and perhaps only difference is the aging. For both these pairs the authorities decreed that the longer aged wines are sufficiently different from their cousins to warrant a fancier classification, and a higher price tag. Are they right? You might want to taste them to reach your decision. Personally, I have not tasted any of the wines mentioned in this paragraph.

But I have tasted two Nebbiolo-based wines, a Gattinara and a Gattinara Riserva from the northern Italian region of Piedmont. As luck would have it both wines came from the same producer. The regular Gattinara was a 2001, the Gattinara Riserva was a 1999. Of course, when comparing these wines, we should take into account the vintage, which can make a big difference. I remember a relatively inexpensive 2001 French dessert wine that was absolutely spectacular. But the 2002 vintage of this wine made by the same producer from the same grapes was good and nothing more.

For a review of the Gattinara DOCG 2001, see my article I Love Italian Wine and Food and Aosta Valley Region, Piedmont Wine.

Wine Reviewed

Travaglini Gattinara Riserva DOCG 1999 13.5% alcohol about $33

First a few notes supplied by the producer Giancarlo Travaglini. This Riserva wine, composed of 100% Nebbiolo grapes, was aged for at least three years in oak barrels, and one year in the bottle. In fact, 25% to 30% of the grapes were aged in small oak barrels. The grapes for the Riserva wine come from selected grapes at selected sites. To protect its name, Travaglini makes Gattinara Riserva only in the best years. The Riserva grapes are processed and aged separately from the regular production. The producer suggests serving the wine at 19-20 degrees Centigrade (66-68 degrees Fahrenheit), and claims that it can be cellared until 2015-2020.

This wine was very rich and mouth-filling. A little bit went a long way. I tasted tobacco, leather, and black cherries, but essentially I tasted a very fine wine. I don`t think that I am kidding myself when I say that I could tell the difference between this wine, and the non-Riserva 2001 vintage, which I also found excellent. I felt that the Riserva was even more powerful and complex than its younger cousin.

I tasted it with rib steak and potatoes, and with slow-cooked beef ribs as in my previous tasting. (I wasn`t going to waste any of it on a more plebian dish such as a lasagna.) The food pairings were great, as was the wine on its own. My only regret was that the bottle was empty before I tasted it with any cheese. Frankly I wonder if a wine of this quality wouldn`t be a bit wasted with cheese.

Final verdict. I`d have to think very hard to find something negative about this wine. I`m not convinced that it should be cellared until 2015-2020, which at this point seems a long way off. But for now, and certainly the next few years, this wine is excellent, and is somewhat of a bargain. For this particular wine, and undoubtedly many others, Riserva means more than just additional aging.

About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is http://www.theworldwidewine.com .

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