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!
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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!