San Miniato is a delightful town in the province of Pisa, in Tuscany—it is also known as San Miniato al Tedesco meaning “of the German,” to distinguish it from another nearby San Miniato called “al Monte,” which is a convent in Florence about forty kilometers to the northeast. In this
“How about a drink?” “Yes please, a Spritz!” is the response of 100% of the students in the ancient university city of Padua, in northern Italy. The Spritz is in fact the favorite drink not only of the young people from here in the Veneto region, but also of many
In Italy, we have a proverb: never change a formula that works. Vinitaly is the most important annual international wine and spirits exhibition in the world; this year there were 4,164 exhibitors from 120 countries, and 140,000 visitors. Vinitaly’s original formula—a combination professional exhibition and popular festival—has always worked, for
"These are my girls," smiles Susanna, stroking the belly of one of them with great kindness and affection. “She” replies with a quick, happy gurgle. Susanna Crociani. Photo: Max Cocchetti Susanna's Girls live all together, in a not-very-large room; on tiptoe, a feeble beam of light slips inside, careful not to
The months toward the end of winter and beginning of spring are Amarone della Valpolicella time. In this period, in fact, two important events are hosted in Verona, Italy -- two different series of tastings of this renowned Italian red wine. “Amarone in Villa” (“Amarone in the Manor”) is organized
Planning a visit to Italy and its wineries in the next few months? Nice idea! And you’re lucky, because in our technological times you do not have to weigh yourself down with paper guides, books, maps, leaflets or brochures. Everything you need for your journey is in a convenient app
Yesterday, January 15, 2012, Giuseppe Quintarelli succumbed to an extended illness. His loss is a loss for his family and his loved ones, and we mourn for them. It is also a loss for the whole wine world. In memory, we replay Lizzy Tossi's "The Secret of Giuseppe Quintarelli's Success,"
What are latest trends in wine lovers’ attitudes? This is what I wanted to find out, last fall, when I attended SIMEI, a large, professional winemaking equipment exhibition taking place every two years in Milan, in Northern Italy. “We see that wine consumers are most drawn to a quality product;