andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

To taste Taurasi you have to understand Taurasi.  At least that’s what I believe.  When I  taste a wine, I  want need to understand it's  character.  Where it comes from, the territory.  I want to understand  the journey that  this Aglianico grape, grown, vinified, and bottled in any of the 17 approved counties goes through.  How it needs to mature for at least 3 years (four to be known as a Riserva ) , with one of those years in a wooden barrel (18 months for the Riserva) . In other words, to taste, you need to understand. At least that's what I believe. So, when I was invited to attend a weekend in Montemiletto (Av) to try the latest  Taurasi 2008 vintage, I looked as it as the perfect opportunity to soak up as much as I could about  Campania's  interesting and intense DOCG red. Friday January 20. The evening  before the first glass of 2008  was poured   I attended a lecture presented by six enologist in the know; Roberto Di Meo, Michele D'Argenio, Gennaro Reale,

My blog is a little over two years old. One of my favorite series is one that I entitled Vineyard Hopping .  A series of blogs based on my visits to various vineyards in the Campania region.  I thought it would be neat to put these blogs together in a book.  A collection of photos, stories and memories of my visits to vineyards throughout this region that I call home. Right now it is available only in English, and only online...but who knows :-) Stay tuned... Vineyard Hopping - Campania by Karen Phillips | Make Your Own Book

Maybe it was the stress of the holiday season; Christmas, New Year’s, La Befana.   Maybe I needed a break from studying for my up coming sommelier exam. Maybe it was the wind and the rain. Maybe . Whatever it was, I just wasn't smiling that day. A friend of mine wanted to cheer me up, help me take my mind off things with an invitation to dinner.  An invitation to Veritas Restaurant on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Naples.  I’d been there a couple of times…it might just be what I needed.  Just the ticket. Veritas , for me, is a place where I can  relax and feel at ease with  a staff of professionals like Maitre d Pasquale Marzano and sommelier Salvatore Maresca .  Always there with  a smile, suggestions, and a new wine for me to try.   Veritas,for me, is a place where I can explore the Campania region with specialties prepared by Chef Gianluca D’Agostino .   This time, a recent renovation which took out the wine bar and expanded the dining room gave the restaurant only improved