andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

Wikipedia :   Serendipity   means   a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it.   Driving the 30 ish km from Battipaglia (Sa) to Agropoli  (Sa)and back can be challenging. .  The challenge isn't the heat or the traffic.  The challenge is  by passing the dozen of mozzarella farms and shops that seem to call out at you as you drive by.  And I must admit, they are enticing.  Especially on a Friday evening after a long work week.  So I decided to stop at Podere Galante on the SS 18 for a 1/ kilo of mozzarella and something to go with out.  .   Little did I know that that something would be Bruno . Che bello!   Each time   I'm in the area, I'm  reminded of my first visit into Cilento as a  wine blogger  nearly three years ago to visit  Bruno... Bruno De Conciliis   at his winery   And there he was...on a shelf with wines from the region.   De Conciliis's Bacio il Ci

As I mentioned in my last post, I had only a few hours at VitignoItalia a few weeks ago.  My mission, per se, was to taste wines that I hadn't tried before...or hadn't tried in a long time.  There was a stand, though, that I couldn't pass up.  One that has made me feel part of their large family every time I visit them in their winery, stop by their Michelin star restaurant Marenna' , or see them on the road.   Feudi di San Gregorio .  I stopped by to say hello to familiar faces such as my maestro/amico Alessandro Palmieri, my sommelier course classmate Carmine Di Costanzo , and of course the ever smiling Antonio Fiore who was pouring that afternoon.  I asked Fiore for something new to me .  A white wine or two that I hadn't tried.   Was there something? I wondered. Fiore reached into the ice bucket and pulled out a bottle .  A wine produced by Azienda Basilisco in the Basilicata region which Feudi di San Gregorio acquired a couple of years ago.  Bravo, Ant

I was degustando that Sunday.  Wine tasting in  downtown Napoli during the 9th edition of  VitignoItalia 2013   held in  the picturesque medieval Castel del"Ovo.  I didn't have a lot of time, so when I entered Sala B , I headed right towards a familiar face, smile, and winery. Angela Giordana and Cantine Olivella .  It's been awhile since I had a chance to talk with gli amici from Sant'Anastasia.  I was curious about the new vintage, particularly the whites.   Like their Lacrimabianco Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco D.O.CC.  made from Caprettone and Catalanesco grapes grown in  rich vulcanic soil.  I began my degustazione noticing the light straw yellow color, the light white floral aromas.  Then I tasted.  Full, sapid, flavorful.  Flavorful?  Fantastic...with a nice finish. Lacrimabianco 2012 I didn't have a lot of time, so I asked Angela to pour me the next white.   Emblema Vesuvio Bianco D.O.C 2012 produced with 100% Caprettone.  Caprettone (related t

Wikipedia :   Serendipity   means   a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it.   Some of the best moments are those that are impromptu.. .al momento...improvisato .  At least that's what I believe.  Like a recent visit to Roof & Sky to take a few pictures for my  last blog.  I sent owner Michele Grande a text message the morning of our appointment asking to change the time from 5 pm to 1230 pm.   Ok was his reply. I didn't expect to see photographer and pirate Giannantonio.  Or even gastronaut Nando .  And I surely didn't expect one of the most unforgettable plates of pasta ...ever. So during the interview, between a spritz a few appetizers and a glass of wine, the guys took turns stirring the calamarata pasta by cooking it directly in the pasta sauce, not boiling water.  Like cooking a risotto , Grand explained... This way the pasta soaks in all the

It had been awhile since I had been up on the roof .    So that probably explains the flood of memories that rushed into my mind as I walked the plank on Pontile # 3, Lake Miseno. The plank that led me to Asteco e Cielo- Roof & Sky. It was lunchtime ish and this lounge bar/boat on the lake had plenty of appetizers for me to snack on while I hung out on the deck chatting away with owner Michele Grande .  Chatting away with Grande about what makes this barca in the heart of Campi Flegrei one of the hottest spots on the lake. By day - It is open as early as 8 am for a caffe', cappucino, and cornetto.  The perfect place to read the morning paper.  Or relax after that morning stroll around Bacoli's Villa Comunale.  Mid day.  Appetizers all around.  Plenty to snack on over a glass of wine, aperitivo, or any of the wide range of frozen cocktails and mixed drinks the bar has to offer.  That afternoon I was lucky.  Grande decided to prepare us a light lunch.