Italian mothers are esteemed and the focus of family traditions. They are celebrated all year, and officially Mother’s Day is celebrated on the same day as the United States. It is one of the most important holidays in the Italian year, a day when families come together from wherever they are to feast, enjoy a [...]
Mediterranean Diet = Good Health
April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Turns out that romantic Italy not only produces delicious food – it’s healthy too! Studies show that the Mediterranean diet (favored by the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea) combines the basics of healthy eating — plus a bit of flavorful olive oil and maybe even a glass of red wine. The [...]
Fifth Taste: Umami
March 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
We all know sweet, sour, salty and bitter, but umami? If you haven’t heard the term, it’s likely you will. Debated since the 1800′s when Auguste Escoffier (the chef in Paris at the time) began creating a taste that tasted like no combination of the “existing” flavors. At nearly the same time in far away [...]
A Tour of Italy in the Kitchen, Part 22: Trentino-Alto Adige
March 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Trentino–Alto Adige is comprised of two separate areas: Trento refers to the southern part of the region (whose capital is Trentino – the ancient Roman Tridentum) and Alto Adige identifies the northern part of the region that includes the higher (alto) part of the Adige River. The area has a rich ethnic mixture that includes [...]
Wine Labels – For the Curious . . .
March 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Like many products, the success of a new wine introduced to the market can hinge on the design of a wine label. The label can play the primary role in the purchasing decision of customers even beyond the quality of the wine itself. Graphic designers, and in some cases, as with Il Vino della Pace, [...]
Our Newest Wines: Cormons Winery
February 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Carmelo and Hilary were in Rome for a couple of days last September and one evening they went to Il Pagliccio, Ristorante in Roma. Looking through their fabulous wine list, Carmelo came across Il Vino della Pace – translated “the wine of peace”. As educated as he is on wine, he had never heard of [...]
A Tour of Italy in the Kitchen, Part 21: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
February 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Friuli Venezia Giulia is situated in the northeast of Italy along the borders of Slovenia and Austria. overlooking the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by high mountains, it encompasses many different landscapes including the Carso plateau. The cuisine of Friuli Venezia Giulia is influenced by the Slavic, central European and Venetian cultures and relies on simple [...]
Valentine’s Day Italian Style
January 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
In Italy, Valentine’s Day is a time of joy and fun that all people, irrespective of their age group, participate in, and it is now mostly an imported holiday. Showering gifts and tokens of love is an essential part as celebrated around the world. Flowers are also great expressions of love and include flaming red [...]
A Tour of Italy in the Kitchen, Part 20: Veneto
January 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Veneto is one of Italy’s most varied areas – and the most visited region of Italy. Home to Venice and Verona, and also Italy’s largest lake (Lake of Garda) it also contains tranquil and uncrowded spaces as well. Venice canalRisi, or rice, is a mainstay on the Venetian menu, and is served differently than in [...]
A Tour of Italy in the Kitchen, Part 19: Lombardy
December 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
One of Italy’s largest regions (home to a staggering one-sixth of the total population of Italy), Lombardy lies in the north of the country, sharing a border with Switzerland. Stretching from the Alps to the lowlands of the Po Valley (covered by water and rice paddies), Lombardy is home to a wide range of landscapes, [...]
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