Food, Wine and Travel Blog

Which are the best wineries to visit in Tuscany? Sightseeing and wine drinking in Tuscany – is there a more perfect combination in life? Even Bacchus, the god of wine, would envy a road trip through Tuscany’s wine heartlands, marveling at the most spectacular scenery on earth. To taste, drink, and dine exceedingly well, this […]

Recipes with Prosecco Wine Prosecco is not only a delightful bubbly good on its own as well as part of the famed Bellini cocktail; it is also a fantastic wine to use for cooking. Here are a few easy and sophisticated recipes to try your hand at: Scallops and Prosecco Ingredients: 400 grams cleaned scallops […]

Best Restaurants in Lake Como and Garda The Italian lakes have long attracted discerning visitors in search of tranquility, relaxation, and, of course, outstanding food & wine. Set among picturesque landscapes, Lake Como and Garda are simply long expanses of water nestled right against the mountains, with exquisite views offered as standard. Despite attracting numerous […]

By Simona Piccinelli As in the past years, we couldn’t miss one of the most important, pleasant, enjoyable and relaxed wine events in Italy: SUMMA, 2018 In Alto Adige, immersed in the vineyards and the verdant landscape of the Alois Lageder estate, this 21st edition of Summa gathered more than 80 top notch food and […]

Brunello di Montalcino, despite some stiff competition from the newer firmament of self-styled “Super Tuscans,” has comfortably retained its title as Tuscany’s finest and most lauded wine. At its best, it is a wine like no other in the region: dense, elegant, and extremely long-lived. Its signature scent and flavor have made it a darling […]

Best Restaurants in Naples & the Amalfi Coast Naples and the Amalfi Coast have drawn people searching for culinary excellence for centuries; few places can compete with their classical origins and the freshness and vibrancy of local ingredients. Moreover, despite their marked differences – Naples is chaotic and sprawling while the Amalfi Coast is simply […]

The Ten Best Pizzerias in Naples, by Simona Piccinelli, our Italy Specialist This year, I decided to celebrate the New Year with some amici in Naples, and I bet them that we would discover the best pizzeria in Naples by eating nothing but pizza for our entire five-day stay. I won the bet (thanks to […]

Grappa is a traditional Italian spirit made from the pressed seeds and skins of grapes (pomace) or “vinaccia” as it’s called in Italian after the must (grape juice) is used in winemaking. Grappa is made all over Italy, from Tuscany to Naples, to the Veneto region. The process is relatively simple: the leftover pomace is […]

[Updated August 2017] Campania is one of our favorite regions in Italy, so diverse and with such stunning countryside, coast, and towns.  In this area of southern Italy, you’ll find the Amalfi Coast,  the fascinating city of Naples, volcanic Pompeii, Capri, lesser-known islands like Ischia and countless seaside hamlets.  Enjoy these short travel notes on […]

In the right hands, a winery can be far more than merely a functional center for processing grapes and producing wine. After all, making great wine is as much an art form as a science – so why shouldn’t a winery reflect the inherent beauty of wine-making? The world’s greatest architects, from Sir Norman Foster […]

Cellar Tours Selection of the Best Culinary Experiences in Florence If your priorities while on vacation are great food and even better wine; welcome to paradise! Tuscany’s proud capital has long been one of Italy’s most exciting food destinations, the local philosophy of only using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients remains unchanged today. That is […]

Top Wine Producers of Friuli-Venezia Friuli’s reputation is often dwarfed by its larger neighbor Veneto. Despite the region’s lesser renown, the Friuli region is full of top-quality producers and increasingly conscientious growers who work to organic and biodynamic principles. French varieties have been planted for years in this part of north-east Italy, which borders Slovenia […]