Back "Home" to Rome!

Leaving tonight to finally return to Italy, which has started to feel like home.  I love living in Ann Arbor next to University of Michigan and especially being close to family but Italy feels like home!

I am going off the grid but will be writing about this trip back once I return.  Ciao a tutti...More later...

Pane E Vino

I recently visited Providence, Rhode Island for the first time and loved the city, the people and the food!  While there I had to visit the Italian district also known as the Federal Hill neighborhood.  I had dinner at a restaurant called Pane E Vino.  What a wonderful experience!

I ordered the House Cured Duck with Truffle Honey, Fig and Walnut Ravioli, Shallot Cream Sauce, Crushed Walnuts. It was absolutely delicious and a perfect balance between the sweetness from the honey and the cream and savory taste of the fig and truffle. I paired the dish with a old world style Nebbiolo wine from Piemonte, Italy.  Again the earthy nature to the wine only brought out the flavors of the fig and truffle in the dish enhancing it even more!

Please visit this place next time you are in Providence!  Enjoy!

http://www.panevino.net/

"Grechetto" - Wine of the Week!!!

• "Grechetto" is a white Italian grape that you find mostly in central Italy and in particular the province of Umbria.  Often times the wine is label "Umbrian White". It is one of the grapes used when making the Orvieto White Wine. This local Italian grape is a must try with food or when looking to have a dry, fruit forward wine.  Easy to drink for those who want a dry wine and for those who want a touch of sweetness because of the fruit profile that accompanies the wine. Look to taste flavors of banana, pineapple, peach and pear in this wine.  Grechetto wine can be difficult to find but is usually much less expensive than other "white" wines and will not disappoint those who are willing to break with their routine and take a chance at something new!
• 
  

Salute! More later...

Blind Tasting

Blind Tasting is only part of wine education but really is a great skill when running in wine circles around the world.  Anyone who has a passion for wine or works in the industry will recognize how difficult blind tasting can be.  It breaks down borders, backgrounds, and cultures, and in many ways can bring people to a common point in the wine world.  While this is not necessary for people to come together to enjoy a bottle of wine it does add to the experience.

With all that said, it can be very difficult to find a group of people who will host blind tastings, especially on a regular basis.  I was lucky enough to be invited to a SOMM Blind tasting group that just started in Ann Arbor.  We are meeting every other Saturday from 11-1 at West End Grill.  Talk about a perfect location and great learning environment!  So far we have only had two meetings but it is so much fun to learn form others as we all try to discover all the little nuances in the wines!

Thank you to the organizers of this group.  I will always be in your debt!  Grazie mille!

Wine of the Week: Xarmant Txakolina

Xarmant Txakolina is a white wine from the Basque Region of Northeast Spain.  I found, ordered and drank this wine at a local Ann Arbor Tapas restaurant called Aventura. I had never heard of any of the grapes listed on the menu but knew wines from the Basque country are always great food wines, especially when having tapas!

I also found a very interesting article in the NY Times.  It is a great read on a part of the world becoming higher on my list of places to visit.  Actually the Basque region is a must visit for and food and wine lover!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/dining/11Pour.html?_r=0

Enjoy and Cheers my friends!   More later… 

Wine of the Week: Vin De Savoie

Vin De Savoie is a very unique white wine from the eastern part of France.  The Savoy wine region is southeast of Burgundy and is relatively unknown, well at least until recently.

The wine makers in this region use local grapes that are not used to produce wine in other areas of the world. I found this gem at Whole Foods in Ann Arbor, MI for less than $15/bottles.  Vin De Savoie is made from 100% of the Jacquère grape.

Pick one up when you are ready to prepare a seafood dinner with friends.  They will be impressed and everyone will love the natural pairing.

Salute!!!...more next week!!!

 

Urban Grub, Nashville TN

Urban Grub is not only a great place to eat but a great place to "hang out"!  Patio heaters, fireplaces inside and out plus an alive, hip and very attractive crowd waiting for your arrival!  Patio seating in January is always a plus but when you add the wines, food and setting it is a double...maybe triple bonus!

http://urbangrub.net/

Beausoleil oysters from New Brunswick, Canada and a white Sicilian wine made from Inzolia grapes to start...YES please!  Next up was a local cheese and smoked meat tasting.  Last course:  aged dry rubbed Filet and smoked bone-in Double Cut Pork Chop.  We paired our entrees with a big, red Nebbiolo wine from Piedmont Italy.

This is a place I will visit again and again!  Next time you are in Nashville make sure you stop here even for a drink and entertainment!

Cork and Cow

Cork and Cow is the place to go in Franklin, TN if you are looking for amazing, dry aged, smoked steak! Oh, the wine list is wonderful too!  We sample the filet with black truffle butter and grilled asparagus.  Delish!!!

Here is the website...go and enjoy your dinner!!!

http://corkandcow.com/

Happy New Year!!!

Once again too much time away from My Blog!  My New Year’s resolution is to make sure I am doing a better job posting weekly wine tips and updates on new or interesting restaurants or other places to visit.  Over the past 5 months I started a new job, turned “40” in Costa Rica (which I added to the Blog below), enjoyed Michigan Football Saturdays, and celebrated the New Year’s weekend in Charleston and Savannah (also in the Blog below).  I have also started making plans to move back to Italy.  Thanks for following me here on my blog.  I hope my posts encourage you to follow your dreams.  I am always here to help be your guide!  More later…Ciao amici!!!

Savannah, GA

Savannah is an old, beautiful city with south charm!  I see why General Sherman offered it as a gift to President Lincoln instead of burning it down like he did all the others.  Like in Charleston we did a city tour that was very informative to the different areas, buildings and people who created Savannah.  While we were in the area we also had the chance to see the Wormslow Historic Site, Bonaventure Cemetery, and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum too.

Since I must visit an interesting eating establishment when I am traveling I have to tell our about the food and wine at 39 Rue de Jean.  This is the sister restaurant to the original in Charleston.  It just opened 2 months ago but the interior was left in the old brick style of the city so, while it was a new building, it blended in with its surroundings.  They have a great “by the glass” wine list with the usual expected wines but several unknown and hard to find wines for people to try too.  We ordered the Steamed Mussels to start and shared the Braised Rabbit and Coq au Vin.  Wonderful food and wine. Make your reservation when you are in Savannah.  You will not be disappointed!!!  Buon Appitito!