food & wIne

I can easily imagine the locals’ pride and joy when in December 2015 the Unesco named Parma Creative City of Gastronomy.

Most people know Parma because of its famous ham and Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano), probably not even relating the word to a place. French literature buffs might have read Stendhal’s acclaimed novel The Charterhouse of Parma and opera lovers probably know that Verdi was born in a town some 40 km from Parma, but I suspect that the majority of foreigners have barely heard of the city, and have no idea of where to pin it on the map of Italy.

Parma and the Italian Food Valley: A Journey to Heaven for GourmetsRead More

The idea of a cooking course in itself is exciting, but having it in a medieval castle is just a fabulous and unusual experience. Italian cuisine is one of the most popular in the world, and cooking classes in Italy to learn how to prepare local dishes are getting more and more appreciated. Moreover…Who doesn’t …

A Fabulous Cooking Course at the Malpaga CastleRead More

“It’s not a dessert wine. More correctly, Moscato di Scanzo is what we call a meditation wine”, the girl explained.  It took me a few seconds to refocus. I admit that I’m not a great wine connoisseur, and in my mind “moscato” was a synonym of sweet wine, mostly served with cakes and deserts, sometimes …

Moscato di Scanzo: Wonderful (and Precious) Meditation WineRead More

Whether it’s art, architecture, beautiful landscapes or food and wine, Italy never ceases to amaze me. Whenever possible, I try to visit lesser know regions like the superb and wild Basilicata in Southern Italy, or unusual towns like the lovely Porretta Terme in Emilia-Romagna. Italy is a country of incredible diversity, and there are many regions which …

Discovering Piceno Through Wine and FoodRead More

If Bologna were to be defined by its food specialties, these would be homemade pasta and mortadella. And while Bologna is beautiful and well worth spending a few days, besides the beautiful architecture and lively atmosphere, food is certainly one of the main attractions. In its simplicity, making egg pasta is an art and I was mesmerized …

Bologna… Homemade Pasta and MortadellaRead More

In Italy, food is so much tied to culture, history, and traditions that it’s impossible to understand the country without a culinary journey, and Brindisi makes no exception. Every region has its specialties, based on the local products and making for a wonderful variety of dishes, tastes, and flavors. In Brindisi, and in all Puglia, …

In Brindisi, Food is a FeastRead More