andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

I spent the weekend in Taurasi and on Saturday night I was treated to something special...Dinner at Antonio Caggiano's winery.  The occassion?  A chance to get together and celebrate wine and food.  Why not? The event began at 730 pm at the cantina.  Antonio met his guests with a smile and great stories.  He spoke of his love of photography while pointing out his photos from a Venetian Carnvale trip he took several years earlier.  He spoke of Taurasi and its wine making history while showing us a stunning photo of 'la strade del vino' .  Then he talked about his love for his work and his vineyards.  He led us towards his famous cantina which is more like a museum.  I have been to his cantina many times over the past few years and it is ALWAYS different.  Around every corner there is something new, or should I say old .  Old bottles, old pieces of wine making machinery.  The cantina is built with materials that he found after ...

A wine appreciation course will be held at Enoteca Bacco e Caffe in Bacoli.  The schedule is as follows: Tuesday,  March 23 20:30 Vinification and Winemaking Techniques led by Tiziana Brondi Tuesday, March 30  20:30 Visual Appearance Wine and its Colors led by  Pasquale Poerio Tuesday 6 April  20:30 Olfactory Flavors and Fragrances led by  Tiziana B. Pasquale P. Tuesday 13 April at 20:30 Taste and Appearance Gustatory Sensation  led by Pasquale P. Tuesday 20 April 20:30 Wine Tasting with Young and Aged Wines led by  Max P. Tiziana B . April 29 18:00 Winery tour CANTINA BABBO Via Scalandrone 22, Pozzuoli (Napoli) Wines of Campi Flegrei Campi Flegrei led by  Maria Pia C. Enoteca Bacco e Caffè; Via S. Italico 56 / C Tel 0815700358 Bagnoli (NA) infobaccoecaffe@gmail.com   or poerio.pasquale@libero.it Th course costs Euro 140.00 Eur 50.00 Registration Deposit - ( the balance must  be pa...

This sounds pretty special. Imagine an event where each course is designed and ‘built’ by chef Mario Avallone in combination with seven different sets of tableware created by designer John Scafuro . The result? Una Mostra a Cena: sette portate per sette posate . Here are the details: March 1, 2010 18:00 forkinprogress: exhibition / sale of jewelry, furnishings, sculpture and more made with cutlery. A cutlery presentation dinner the next day. March 2, 2010  20:00 dinner forkeat:  a collaboration between chef Mario Avallone , and designer John Scafuro : a dinner / show consisting of 7 courses associated with 7 sets of cutlery designed for the event. MENU (in Italian) Snodo - frittura a chi piace il brodo - ravioli + brodo a chi non piace il brodo - senza spine per rubare ai buffet - dips poison - pozione salada forchetta a nove code - o'spaghett'c'ò suffritt pennino da caffè - caffè dello scrittore The wine for the evening is: Gallicìus...

Puglia is the star of this Wine Lab at Città del Gusto on March 4th. The theme of the evening, a degustazione vertical, a side by side wine comparison of Donna Lisa Salice Salentino Riserva di Castris De Leon and   Conti Zecca Nero    the mot popular and celebrated blend of Negroamaro in the province of Lecce. The evening will be conducted by Marco Sabellico and Paul Zacharias and, as usual, participants can sample six vintages of Donna Lisa Riserva and six years of Nero, accompanied by a series of finger food designed for the occasion by chefs Antonio Russo and Giovanni Pastore and  master pizza maker Michele Leo . The appointment is for 2000 hours on Thursday 4 March at Città del Gusto. For information and reservations Città del Gusto Naples - Via Coroglio, 57/104 - Naples (Bagnoli Zone) Tel: 081.198.08.900/902-Mail: eventi.na@cittadelgusto.it www.gamberorosso.it The cost of the evening is € 60.00 per person (€ 50.00 for Gamb...

Yet another evening of small wine producers brought to you by Osteria Abraxas . Nando Salemme and Vanna, will present Greco di Tufo di Cantina dell’Angelo , Gaglioppo from Cirò A’ Vita , and Aglianico and Taurasi from Cancelliere . The menu will prepared by chef Thomas Meo In short,it will be a a gourmet evening intertwined with deep discussions of food and wine. Don’t miss it!! Menu: Crispy cod with potatoes and pistachio pesto Beans, ricotta and "stomach" Polenta with ragu Pastry with pumpkin Artichoke pie *** Risotto with bacon, leeks, cheese and pepper Neapolitan lasagna *** Beef with balsamic vinegar reduction in a crust of broccoli *** ‘Bocconcino’ with a dark chocolate surprise Wine: Greco di Tufo 2008 Cantina dell'angelo Cirò 2008 Azienda agricola A' Vita Aglianico Gioviano 2007 Il Cancelliere Taurasi Nero Nè 2005 Il Cancelliere Dinner price: 35,00 € To reserve your spot call 081-8549347 or 339-2236700 Abraxas Osteria Vi...

There is a hot restaurant in Quarto that everyone is talking about.  Yes, I did say Quarto .  Quarto, known for  its chaotic traffic, bumpy roads and the montagna spaccata , you'll find a little oasis called SUD ristorante .  I heard of the place a few months ago.   Ais Napoli has chosen this spot to hold several events such as La Marcia di Natale  and Sud & Riesling to name a couple.  I'd like to share with you a translation of  a review by Davide Ricciardello of Ristoranti Campani   posted yesterday.  "PRO: cooking elaborate and coherent, and evokes the delicious appetizer (bacon cooked at low temperature, cottage cheese with pepper and broccoli); extremely balanced first course(fettuccelle cauliflower and mullet with orange rind), a microcosm of concoted flavors; concrete and structured second courses (perfect salt cod in a coach and as a frying and as a composition; tasty and tender...

I am really having a hard time writing this blog.  I don't know where to start or what to include.... I could write about how Vincenzo took us around La Sibilla's  vineyards , explained his winery's history, and showed us the  cantina antica located on an archelogical site..... Or... I could say how much I enjoyed watching the bonfire  while sipping  a glass of Marsiliano 2007 ..... Maybe I should say how Vincenzo did an excellent job of  guiding us through a wine tasting (Italian nad English) of   Marsilian 2006, 2007 , and 2008 -fresh from the barrel..... I really want to discuss the meal and the wide variety of dishes prepared  by the family served with a smile..... I can't leave out, though, the cuban cigar presentation which almost had this nonsmoker lighting up....almost.... What I DEFINITELY must say is how much I felt a part of  the family.   From the time that Vincenzo 'rescued' me as  I lo...

Take saxophonist, composer, producer and educator Greg Osby .   Jazz Musician of the year 2009..... Add in Stefano Pagliuca's pizza and the rest of Ciao Vino's famous buffet..... Mix in wines handpicked by Fabrizio from Ciao Vino............ The result is an eclectic evening of wine  and jazz.  The cost of this unprecedented evening is 40 Euro which includes entrance to the show, buffet, 3 different wines and seating in the 'VIP' section. Location?  Baoli Art Gallery (BAG) ,Piazzetta Adriano 5/6, Bacoli   For more information or to reserve your spot call. 348 590 7349, 081 509 0425 or andiamotrips@gmail.com , fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it The fun starts at 8pm ish....

About 4 years ago, I stareted dabbling in the wine world. Friends, who I thought at the time were wine geeks , asked me to help organize a bus trip to a winery and agriturismo. Though somewhat fluent in Italian, I was shakey when it came to winemaking terminology. But at some point over the years, after organizing numerous wine tastings and winery tours throughout the Campania region, the bug hit me. The world of wine and winemaking changed for me. I remember a trip to Torre Gaia a couple of years ago. I had a great time translating for our sommelier, Luigi. He was decked out in his sommelier uniform as he gave us a tour of the winery and led us through a wine tasting. Then came the many trips to Taurasi, Benevento, Campi Flegrei area, , wine fairs, and eventually wine tastings at Ciao Vino .      http://www.intravino.com/wp-content/uploads/toon_sommelier.jpg     The time came to take this hobby to another level. A couple of friends sugges...

We are halfway through the season, so the question is after about 5 months of Winerdìs at Ciao Vino ,   how much do you remember?  Can you correctly identify a wine that is 100%, in purezza ? Can you pick out the fragrances of a nebbiolo when compared to an aglainico ?  Are you able to recognize the slight differences in color when they are placed next to a nero d'avola ?  And what about when you compare the tastes of those three to sangiovese ? Italy's top grapes will be on hand in Winerdì's version of The Final Four .  The winner will be  you!!! The cost of the evening is 25Euro and includes an informal wine tasting as well as a buffet afterwards. The games begin at 8 pm...ish. For more information or to sign up contact andiamotrips@gmail.com ,   fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it  or call 348 590 7349 or 081 509 0425. Ciao Vino, Via Madonna del Pantano, 50 Varcaturo

I remember the first time I met my Winerdì partner in crime,   Vincenzo Di Meo . It was at Ciao Vino last fall, our first Winerdì event. A young, simpatico, intelligent enologist who has a passion for all things vino . After the wine tasting was over, he said goodbye and he called me…… signora ….. STOP!….   At first I felt old. But then I realized that he was being polite and respectful. I am proud to have him as my friend. I am also excited about attending his wine tasting at La Sibilla on the 20th. This Saturday at 5pm, La Sibilla in Bacoli will open their doors to give us a glance at their way of life. Vincenzo, with his family will not only treat us to a walk through the vineyards (weather permitting), but we will participate in a wine tasting of a rare Campi Flegrei wine, Marsiliano. Vincenzo, a highly respected young enologist, will lead us through a vertical wine tasting of three vintages; 2008, 2007 and 2006. And that’s not all, no that’s not all. A buffet ...

Saturday March 6, 2010, free stay, in thousand of Italian B&B's. [this offer requires a minimum stay of 2 days] FROM THE ALPS TO LAMPEDUSA, A NETWORK OF 9000 B&B’S READY TO OFFER THE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN HOSPITALITY The B&B Day is the National Day celebrating the Italian B&B. From the Alps to the island of Lampedusa, over 10000 accommodation facilities are eager to give tourists a warmest welcome, in the best Italian tradition. If you book your weekend between March 6 and March 7, your stay on Saturday 6 is free. Check out their web site for more info:  http://www.bbday.it/

I mentioned in my last blog that Naples has its traditional Carnevale desserts- chiacchiere, castagnolo, and migliaccio . I was then curious what would be the best wines to accompany these classic desserts. I called up my friend, Fabrizio Erbaggio , (Ais vice delegate, Ciao Vino). Fabrizio suggested we stay in the Campania region and selected sweet desert wines from the following wineries. I took the liberty of pulling their technical cards from their web sites.   Eleusi from Villa Matilde .  A passito that is 100% falanghina, an amber color with gold reflections. Excellent persistence of flavors, good acidity and medium residual sugar; superb structure, sensations of silk and velvet. ( http://www.fattoriavillamatilde.it/vino.php?id_tenuta=6&id_referenza=10&lingua=en )   Next, Moscato di Baselice from Santiquaranta . 100% moscato. It has a  deep golden yellow, slightly amber color. It tastes very sweet, and has a very long persi...

On a crowded street in Melito (near Guigliano), Stefano Pagliuca waits for me on the corner. A big man with a warm heart. I first met Stefano last September. He was one of the ‘artist’ who presented his pizza at Ciao Vino’s Winerdì on Campania Whites . I have been a fan ever since. So  I had a day off from work and decided to pay him a visit. Who is Stefano? A few of thousand  people know. He has 4 Facebook© pages, probably needs someone to just answer his mail. I wanted to find out what it was that has enchanted thousands of friends and  fans, including myself. I found my answer…. Tradition. Stefano will tell you straight up that he follows the traditions that his mother taught him. From his breads, pizzas, and desserts, you will see Napoli in a nutshell. And there they were behind the glass. Le dolce di Carnevale …. Lella, his wife, and his daughter Daniella stood proudly behind their banco which exhibited the traditional Neapolitan Carnevale desser...

I have always been attracted to the chefs, food, and restaurants of Campania  Often, word of mouth is the best way to find that posto that is different, innovate, and away from our usual haunts.  So I was happy to find Davide Ricciardiello's blog . Ristoranti Campani .  Davide gets out to restaurants throughout the area and gives his honest impression on the menu, staff, and price.  The blog is in Italian, but -hey- I strongly feel that it is easy enough to follow.  Check it out next time you are looking for something different....

2 opportunities to meet and greet Giampaolo Motta, Fattoria La Massa , to discuss and try his wines. Mr. Mottola, through his wines, asks the question ' Ma in Italia si può fare, o meglio siamo in grado di fare, un grande vino senza ricorrere al Merlot, al Cabernet Sauvignon, insomma ai noti e “tradizionali” vitigni internazionali?' Translation; ‘Are Italians capable of making a good wine without adding Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, the traditional international grape varieties? You be the judge. On Wednesday, February 17th at 1030 you’ll get the opportunity by trying his Giorgio I 2006 and 2007 at Ciao Vino . Later that evening, head to Quarto’s SUD ristorante where chef Mariane Vitale will pair his Giorgio I (2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007) with a menu that will be hard to forget. Wednesday, March 17 at 1030 Enoteca Ciao Vino Via Madonna del Pantano, Varcaturo (Na) Euro 20 Information and Reservations 081.5090425 – 3337267080 – fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it ...

A previous blog focused on the whites of the Amalfi coast region.  This is my take on the second part of the evening. I was introduced to a sampling of  the reds of Amalfi when I attended Tintore Day ( here )  last November.  So as I opened the door to Città del Gusto Thursday evening, it was a pleasure to be greeted by Gaetano Bove , one of the wine producers from Tramonti.  We shook hands, a bit of small talk, and then I made my way to the front.  I came to taste the reds .  Not only those of Tramonti, the strong robust wines made from the tintore grape, but to also see how my aglianico tastes when grown on the Costa d’Amalfi .  To observe the differences when it is blended with a piedirosso from Furore or Ravello.  Let’s begin. Like the first part of the evening, six glasses were set aside for our red wine.  Wine flowed, food served, notes taken.  The wines up for tasting were: Getis Rosato 2008- Reale   ...