andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

Nebbiola and Nero D’Avola.   I could not have imagined the vast range of discussions that could have arisen during this wine tasting.  There are so many things to say about our Winerdì last Friday that I don’t know where to start. So, let’s begin at the beginning.  Our host, Fabrizio Erbaggio began the evening as usual with a brief history of Nebbiolo.  Grown primarily in Piedmont, it can also be found in the Valtellina valley in Lombardy.  It is a difficult grape to cultivate, so as Fabrizio put it, much attention is needed in the vineyards as well as in the cantina.  At this point we try our two Nebbiolo wines; Nino Negri’s La Tense (Sassella Valtellina Superiore DOCG) and Vietti’s Perbacco 2006 with a degustazione led by Luca Massimo Bolondi .  We could have spent the evening discussing only these two.  One might think that the same grape would produce wines that are similar.  Similar in some ways, yes, but we noted the that the difference in region, terraced vineyards and sand

Slow Cooking in Campania is a series of cooking classes at Terre del Principe (see earlier post for details).  If you are interested in the firts class on February 27th, signup no later than Monday, 22 February.  You can signup by contacting andiamotrips@gmail.com   or info@terredelprincipe.com .

Ah, the Amalfi coast....its views, its beaches, its wines.  Join Città del Gusto Napoli Wine Lab on Thursday, February 4 th,  on a voyage through the region.  Discover varieties of grapes that have been literally saved from extinction from a land that is difficult to harvest due to its rocky, steep terrain.  Twelve  wines will be up for degustazione from the following wineries: Marisa Cuomo, Ettore Sammarco, Giuseppe Apicella, Fattoria San Francesco, Andrea Reale. Journalist Paolo De Cristofaro will lead the tasting. The wine will be accompanied by a menu prepared by chef resident Antonio Russo and Giovanni Pastore as well as maestro pizzaiola Michele Leo . The cost for this not to miss event is 35 Euro.  Showtime is 8pm. Reservations are necessary.  For more info contact   Città del gusto   Via Coroglio, 57/104 – Napoli (Zona Bagnoli) 081.19808900\902 eventi.na@cittadelgusto.it www.gamberorosso.it Click here to reserve on line http://www.gamberorosso.it/article?product

On Friday, the 19th of February at 9pm, Gaia Lounge Restaurant in the heart of centro storico will host Pecorino…e Pecorino . The evening will consist of dinner prepared by Chef Luca Marotta, wine from Kettmeir , and a guided cheese tasting of 4 formaggi pecorini. The menu is as follows - Pane cu u maccu - Scagliuozzoli con ciccioli e ricotta - Tortino di melanzane con ricotta, provola e pomodorini - Fusilli avellinesi con fonduta di lariano speziato, noci e cinghiale - Tagliere di formaggi pecorini (Vastedda del Belice, Pecorino di Laticauda, Fiore Sardo DOP, Conciato Romano) abbinati a confetture o miele - Torta ricotta e pera l Maestro Assaggiatore Salvatore Varrella , from Delegazione ONAF di Napoli, will also lead a demonstration on cheesemaking I had the opportunity to see him at work back in October at Enoteca Mercadante. The evening costs 35 Euro For more information call or to reserve a spot, call 081294804.

Two events to choose from to celebrate St Valentines Day in style. · Villa Matilde , Cellole (CE) , has a special package for the special couple. One night (February 14) with dinner, breakfast and a tour through the vineyards for 240 Euro a couple. (Those who are interested in lunch only can contact the winery directly for prices) · Mastroberardino Winery ,Atripalda (Av), is hosting a special weekend as well. It consists of dinner on the 13 th of February, a night in Radici Resort, and breakfast the next morning for 125 Euro a person in their junior suite. For more info, click on the links to contact the wineries directly.

The wine list is set for Winerdì’s Head to Head NEBBIOLO Vietti Piemonte ( Perbacco ) Nino Negri Lombardia ( Sfursat ) NERO D'AVOLA Nero d'Avola Firriato ( Chiaramonte ) Nero d'Avola Morgante ( Don Antonio) Our Winerdì buffet will include Pizza from Antica Panetteria dei Buoni Sapori ( Melito ) Lasagne di Nonna Wanda Sfizi (finger foods) from Scairdac (Bacoli) Don’t miss it!! The fun starts at 8pm…ish. Ciao Vino , Via Madanno del Pantano, 50 To sign up, call 348 590 7349 or 081 509 0425. Email andiamotrips@gmail.com or fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it

The first time I saw Nando Salemme (owner of Abraxas ) was at Terre Madre Day at Cantina Astroni last December.( here ). I was quite impressed about what he had to say about Slow Food, the importance of local products, and how important it is to teach the younger generation healthy cooking and eating habits. Since then, I said to myself, “If I ever get the chance to get out to Abraxas….” That opportunity came last weekend. Saturday night, the place was packed with a mixture of American and Italian clientele. Two levels and a terrace, we found our table next to a comfortable woodburning stove. Their menu is seasonal, representing the best that Campania, particularly Campi Flegrei has to offer. Nando suggested we try the appetizers. We agreed and were treated to a parade of specialties proudly brought to our table by a simpatico staff. · Bruschetta with lardo nostrano · Tagliere con cacio ricotta e salami dei Campi Flegrei · Zuppa di fagio

I've added a new link to the blog. Campi Flegrei a Tavola is in Italian but is an excellent source that lists the top restaurants, pizzerias, wine bars, pubs, etc in the Campi Flegrei area. Other items on the site include recipes, wines, sagras, and events. Check it out.

Sunday morning, I took advantage of a sunny day in Naples and headed to Pozzuoli. More specifically to Enoteca Arcante located at Via Pergolesi, 86. The occasion, an opportunity to meet Antonio Papa from Azienda Agricola Gennaro Papa . I like to take advantage of these occasions; an opportunity to meet the people behind the wine. The men and women who basically pour their lives in a bottle. A chance to discuss their methods, learn their history, taste their wine. Antonio, alongside Angelo Di Costanzo (owner of Arcante) led our group in a wide variety of topics. We discussed the history of his winery, going back 4 generations. His winery is located in Falciano del Massico, near Mondragone , so we learned about the territory. The soil, rich in clay and stony, with vineyards anywhere from 100 to 150 m above sea level. Obviously we discussed the two wines Antonio brought to share with us. Conclave IGT 2007 and Campantuono DOC 2006 . Both wines ar

Love for the land, wine, and each other are just a few of the reasons that Terre del Principe began. Peppe Mancini left his law practice to return to his roots in Castel Campagnano, (Ce). There he began his journey down the long road to revive three forgotten grapes, Pallagrello Nero, Pallagrello Bianco and Casavecchia . Manuela Piancastelli , writer and journalist, left her position as an editor at Il Mattino Caserta (an Italian newspaper) to work side by side with Peppe in the winery. In addition, she has opened a bed and breakfast, conducts winery tours, wine tastings and cooking courses. I first met this couple last spring at Cantina Aperta. Their winery opened up their doors and their hearts to a small intimate group for lunch. Their events are particular, different, interesting, exciting. Imagine having lunch on the terrace after a 16 th century harpsichord concert or welcoming in the harvest with Celtic harps. How about dinner as you watch the shooting sta

Thursday night, January 28, Abraxas Osteria ,Scalandrone 15, pozzuoli, will host a guided wine tasting featuring the winery Casebianche from Cilento . The winery's o wner Pasquale Miltrano and enologist Fortunato Sebastiano will lead the evening. The wines up for tasting are: - Cumalè Fiano 2008 - Iscadoro 2008 - Delle More 2008 - Coupersito 2008 These wines will be paired with Abraxas’s Campanian menu presented below: bruschetta con ricotta di bufala e pesto di acciughe polpettine di panbroccolo polenta con salsiccia e friarielli crocchette di baccalà su crema di patata aromatizzata al limone e olive nere del vesuvio tagliere cacioricotta e pancetta stagionata *** fusilloni di Gragnano con broccoli e alici di Cetara su letto di patate spagnetti con noci di Sorrento, pinoli, olive e broccoli neri *** cuore di scamone di marchigiana con riduzione di pomodoro del piennolo al profumo di olive e cavolfiore gratinato *** crostatina con confettura di mandarini del

January is not necessarily the best time to visit a winery’s vineyards. The soil is wet; it can be windy and cold. I was not discouraged however, so one afternoon I called Emanuela Russo , and arranged a visit to Cantina Astroni . Astroni is located a few minutes off the Agnano exit. I had been there on two previous occasions, Tintore Day in November and Terra Madre Day last month. Didn’t get a chance, however to ‘check it out’. Even on a cold windy afternoon, I was impressed with the views from the vineyard. Views of Naples, the islands, and the WWF Oasis. The Piedirosso and Falanghina vines were bare, naturally at this time of year, but Emanuela showed me how the Astroni staff has been pruning their vines in an effort to get them to about knee-high height. Why? Closer to the land, the soil, the rich minerals that give life to the vine to the grapes and eventually to the wine. A wine’s life begins in the vineyard. You can’t just pick a grape and expect it to make