Gala del Vino Campano - Citta del Gusto Napoli, October 31

It's going to be a party and it's going to be big...no..huge.  A party to celebrate Campania wines.  A party to present those wines which recieved the due biccheri colorati or the tre bicchieri ratings in Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia 2011 Guide.

An event with over 40 wineries, wine tastings, seminars, and much much more.

Here is a brief rundown of the program...

1600 hrs:  A presentation/meeting to discuss the 'state of' Campania wines
1800 - 2200 hrs: Wine tasting stands will be open.
1800- 2200 hrs: Guided wine tastings and seminars (reservation only...details here)

Cost is 20 Euro and tickets can be purchased on line here or directly at Citta del Gusto Napoli, Via Coroglio 104/57 – Naples 
: 081/198 08 900-902 - Fax 081/ 198 08 911

Congratulations Coccia!!! A Sneak Peek at the New Pizzaria La Notizia...

A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to what was probably ‘the invite’ of the Neapolitan fall season. An invitation to the inauguration of Enzo Coccia’s new Pizzaria La Notizia…October 11, 2010.

A quick call to Enzo to confirm the address-Via Michelangelo da Caravaggio 94/A…Vieni…ci aspettiamo….

Making my way down the street, I couldn’t help but think back to a dinner da Enzo. A visit to a pizzeria where I became part of the Notizia family. A place where whether you’ve been once or one thousand times, Enzo and his staff treated you as one of their own.

As I parked the car, I wondered if I would feel that same love and sense of belonging in a brand new location with trendy interior design. A menu with artisan beer and an expanded wine list to include my Campania favorites.

I parked, approached, and was instantly relieved, instantly comforted.

La Notizia friends know that at Enzo Coccia’s place, besides a great pizza made with top class products, you’ll get that special ingredient…that special Neapolitan ingredient…love.

Love that he has for his friends…not clients…friends. Love demonstrated over and over again as he greeted everyone ..as he made his way through the crowd of well wishers that included fellow pizzaiolos, chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, winery owners, journalists and bloggers.

Smiles all around…genuine smiles. We smiled as we treasured his pizza; 2 types of margherita, marinara, and al bianco. We smiled as we tasted an excellent prosciutto cotto carved on the spot from Caserta, drank beer, ate ice cream…

Minutes turned to hours…hours passed enjoying each other’s company…taking pictures, laughing, joking, chatting, gossiping.

And here is where Enzo, our Maestro Piazzaiolo, succeeded.
Succeeded in keeping us entertained.
Succeeded in making us feel part of his extended family.

And after an evening at the new La Notizia, I am convinced that that love…that sense of belonging, will not only continue in this new location, but thrive.

Pizzaria La Notizia opens its doors officially on the 13th of October.

Pizzaria La Notizia
Via Michelangelo da Caravaggio 94/A
Naples Italy
081 195 31937
info@pizzaconsulting.it


Congratulations Coccia---In Bocca al Lupo!!!

Vineyard Hopping – Vitulazio (Ce) – Nanni Copè

A weekday morning in October. An Indian summer. The perfect morning for a visit to Pallagrello country. An ideal opportunity to walk Casavecchia vineyards. And an excellent chance to spend the day with Giovanni Ascione-Nanni Copè’s one man show.

My appointment was with Ascione just off the A1 exit where I followed him to Cantina Casa Vecchia…a cantina where he has been making his wine for the last 2 short years of Nanni Copè’s young life. A temporary home, while his small cantina is being built next to his home about 15 minutes away.

I was curious…curious why Ascione; business consultant, sommelier, with a Masters in wine tasting, wine writer, and world traveler would choose this small corner of Campania to produce wine. His Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco.

Over the course of the day my question would be answered.

I left my car at the cantina and we headed towards his vineyard in Castel Campagnao where his Pallagrello Nero and Aglianico grow happily side by side. Where these two Campania reds mature together in an area 250 meters above sea level. In an area with a spectacular panorama of Benevento, Mt Taburno, and Mt Matese. Here, where there is a wonderful breeze all day long. No wonder he jumped at the chance to purchase this 20 year old vineyard 3 years ago. His grapes which share the neighborhood with Terre del Principe. Not a bad location.

Here Pallagrello hangs from the sky. Walking through the rows, we ducked, reached up, touched, picked, and tasted the grapes. The same grapes enjoyed by the Bourbons so many years ago. Aglianico is content here as well. Here on this hill, with a northwestern sun exposure. THE perfect exposure for those in Southern Italy who want to make an elegant wine.

Ascione’s 2 1/2 hectares are divided in 4 sections that he manages by computer. Divided due to soil characteristics-rich-poor-green, etc. Soil that is sandy, volcanic…Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco (Sand on top of the woods)..fitting.

Casavecchia is the third grape that Giovanni uses in his wine. But it isn’t found here. It is about 15 minutes away in Pontelatone. Vines that are 1 ½ meters high are supported by poplar trees. Grapes surrounded by colorful fall leaves that cuddle and hug. Some are even hiding, waiting patiently for the harvest. One again we picked, tasted, and instantly note this fruity cherry flavor-a flavor that Giovanni describes as pazzesco, crazy. The tannins here are rustic, rough. Perfect for Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco.

Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco...fairly new to the scene, the 2008 vintage came out this year after 13 months in the barrel and about 6 months in the bottle. It is one of the wines that Campania is raving about.

Back at the cantina, I get to try his 2010 that has only been in the vat for a couple of days. Then 2009 straight from the barrel. Barrels housed in a comfortably cool cantina around the corner. 2009 waits…passes its time good-naturedly. Who knows? Giovanni may decide to let this wine stay a little longer in the barrel than its older brother.

Throughout the day, I had to keep reminding myself that this is only his third harvest.

That Ascione’s one man show takes his years of experience as wine enthusiast, teacher, taster, writer, and traveler. All placed in a bottle…all poured in a glass.

A glass of  his one wine, his only wine.

And that is why he has chosen this small corner of Campania… to produce a wine that could only be produced here. With grapes from a vineyard with a penthouse view of the surrounding mountains, sandy soil, cool breezes. With grapes from 140 year old vines standing 1 ½ meters high…Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco.

Simple…

Harvest Time!-La Catalanesca with Cantina Olivella, October 16

It's time to harvest la catalanesca grape at Azienda Agricola Cantina Olivella, via Zazzera 14, Santa Anastasia (Na). Here is the program:

0900:  We'll start harvesting grapes (complete with our grape harvesting kits provided by the winery)

1300:  A small lunch provided by the winery with products from Pastificio Le Gemme del Vesuvio, Azienda Agricola Giordano Francesco, and E'Curti.

1500:  A chance to see initial wine making phase of the grapes harvested that morning.

In addition, live music, an art exhibit, and 'prodotti tipici'

Space is limited and reservations are necessary. The cost is 10 Euro per person. To reserve, contact the winery.

Azienda Agricola Cantine Olivella
081 5311388
349 364 7929
info@cantineolivella.com

Una Bella Notizia! Maestro Pizzaiolo Enzo Coccia presents his New Pizzaria La Notizia

On Wednesday, October 13,  a new Pizzaria La Notizia will open to the public on via Caravaggio 94 in Naples. Pizzaria La Notizia has been known for some time as a true gourmet temple. The elegance and comfort of the new club will stand up to the high quality Enzo Coccia sets for his pizzas. Pizzas that have been known and appreciated in the ‘States’ for some time now.  The work, under the careful supervision of the architect Renata Di Martino, took over a year to complete. Di Martino, an architect almost "obsessive" in every detail: from the oven made by master artisan Stefano Ferrara to the cold storage at different temperatures and humidity.

If you’ve never been before, it is definitely a place to try once, twice or several dozen times...

If you’ve been to La Notizia before...you can surely expect your favorites with a few surprises...stay tuned.

And I’ll see you at La Notizia!

PizzAria La Notizia

Via Michelangelo da Caravaggio 94/A

80126 Napoli

Anteprima Panettone-Le Tre Arcate-Piano di Sorrento, October 8 2010

Get set for an evening of gastronomical fusion between Le Tre Arcate (Piano di Sorrento), Il Giardino di Ginevra (Capsulla,) and SlowFood Sorrento!

A spectacular serata with a great menu, great wine, and a sneak preview of , what else?... Panettone! During the meal, a video will guide you through the process of panettone production with the famous lievito madre.

Le Tre Arcate’s Chef Salvatore Accietto has designed a menu which will be paired with Fiano di Avellino Docg 2007: Ciro Picariello, CampoRe di Terredora, Pietracalda dei Feudi di San Gregorio

Menu

Raviolino Fritto di Bufala

Carnaroli con Bandiera, Piennolo Vesuviano e Mandorle Tostate

Spaghettoni del Pastificio dei Campi con Baccalà e Arancio Candito

Provolone del Monaco con Mostarda di Pomodori di Sorrento

And we can’t forger Il Giardino di Ginevra’s pannetone...

Panettone Classico Pandoro con Mousse di ricotta di bufala variegata agli agrumi
Panettone ai marroni canditi con mousse di cioccolato Sao tome'

Paired with Moscato D’Asti Docg Prunotto 2009 and Rosolio of Il Giardino di Ginevra.

The cost is € 35.00 per person.

Info and reservations

Ristorante Le Tre Arcate
Piazza Cota, 9 / 10
Piano di Sorrento (Na)
0815321849
info@letrearcate.net

Vineyard Hopping- Santa Paolina (Av)-Cantina Bambinuto

Marilena Aufiero has an unforgettable smile. One that I’ve seen from a distance on several occasions over the past several months. In the vineyards during Anteprima Irpinia, Behind various ‘banco di assaggi’ at numerous wine fairs; Vitigno Italia, Enoteca Regionale in Taurasi, Grandi Vini da Piccole Vigne… numerous occasions, but for one reason or the other, I missed the chance to try her wines, to have a chat.

When I wanted to see Greco di Tufo up close and personal, a friend mentioned Cantina Bambinuto. Another opportunity, but one that I would not miss.

Cantina Bambinuto is located in Santo Paolina in the heart of Irpinia, about 500 meters above sea level. It is a small winery that packs a big punch. Like Marilena. Marilena, whose smile was not hampered by the cool autumn weather that hit Irpinia that week. She was more than ready for the upcoming harvest and proud to show me her vineyards and cantina.

The soil in Santo Paolina is full of clay. I don’t recommend taking a walk through the vineyards, then, after it has been raining all morning. But the vines did not seem to mind. Her Greco di Tufo was waiting to be harvested. Small grapes, the bunches quite compact, glistening in the sun.

A quick stroll then off to Via Cerro, 18. Marilena smiles continuously as she showed me around her small, cozy cantina.

We began  our tasting with a variety of wines. Wines from vineyards spread throughout Irpinia. Falanghina Campania IGT 2009 (Torrecuso) and Fiano di Avellino DOCG2009 (Lapio). Each wine proudly represented Irpinia and Cantina Bambinuto as well.

But I came for Greco di Tufo...and was not disappointed.

Greco di Tufo DOCG 2009 and Picoli DOCG 2008 wear the Cantina Bambinuto label with dignity. Both with a straw yellow color that was almost golden. Picoli, however, spends 5 months on the lees during fermentation. This was one of the reasons for its more distinct aroma and taste. Marilena smiles. Its time to move on to the stainless steel vats around the corner…Picoli 2009. A chance to try this Greco before filtration, before sulfites are added…in its pure form. A chance to enjoy again the aromas of peaches and a slight aroma of almonds right before bottling.

Another vat, another Greco di Tufo from Picoli, this one in the early stages of becoming spumante, displaying its potential, its possibilities.

Afterwards I reflected as I looked on the shelves at other wines Bambinuto produces-Aglianico(IGT and DOC) and an Aglianico rosè. As I tried a glass of Taurasi 2007 from the barrel, I imagined what it must be like to experiment with different grape varieties as Marilena does. I thought about what it must feel like to work with a wine maker like Antonio Pesce, to learn from one of Campania’s best. How it must feel to buy a small vineyard and say “I’m going to plant Falanghina here”…try something new. How good it must feel to pour any of these wines for friends, customers and potential clients.

And as I drove away that afternoon, Marilena smiled.

And now I think I know why…

Cantina Bambinuto
Via Cerro, 18
Santo Paolina (Av)
0825 964634