By Joyce, on March 9th, 2019
 It was that time of year! In a four-day period in March 2019, San Francisco is home to three premier that are exclusively (or in the case of the third, primarily) Italian wines. If you love Italian wines, we probably saw you. And if you don’t live in San Francisco, fear not because these events [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 21st, 2018
 Our long-anticipated trip to the home of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Aneis grapes and famed Barola and Barbaresco wines in Italy’s Piemonte region, began with a large winery that grows and buys grapes from many surrounding areas, and therefore, produces a wide range of wines. We began our Piemonte exploration of wineries at Fontanafredda with [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 19th, 2018
 Alba Italy Alba Italy, in the Piemonte region was settled more than 2,000 years ago. It began to grow as a stop on a Roman road and became prosperous as an independent city-state in the 11th century. The city was fought over and changed hands several times over the subsequent centuries. It earned the nickname, [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 16th, 2018
 When in Northern Italy, why not stop in Turin (Torino in Italian). Our first stop right outside the city was at the Basilica di Superga, for a very quick visit to this beautiful, 18th-century Baroque masterpiece on a hill overlooking Turin. The façade of the yellow and white structure was overwhelmed by huge, Classical temple-like [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 14th, 2018
 Lake Maggiore is the second largest of Italy’s lakes (after Lake Garda, and just before Lake Como), The lake is at the border of Switzerland and the Swiss Alps, at its northern part and with Piemonte at its south. The hillsides, relatively gentle in the south and steep in the north are filled with vegetation [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 13th, 2018
 Tremezzo Italy Lake Como is so beautiful and peaceful. Tremezzo is one beautiful area, located on the west side of Lake Como. Like many other towns on Lake Como, it is easily accessible by ferry boats. Tremezzo is known primarily for one highlight: Villa Carlotta Villa Carlotta is a beautiful, three-story, 18th-century summer home built [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 12th, 2018
 Lake Como Region Lake Como is a beautiful, tranquil glacial mountain lake in the foothills of the Alps (northern Italy) that is shaped like wishbone. It is a beautiful place to recharge. We drove up the west side of the eastern leg of the lake, from the industrial city of Lecco to the beautiful resort [Read more …]
By Joyce, on September 10th, 2018
 Milan Italy is known for fashion, for opera (especially in the form of the La Scala opera theater) and as the business center of Europe. It is not especially regarded for its beauty, its cuisine or as a tourist destination. It is, however, home to at least two truly world-class attractions (in addition to performances [Read more …]
By Joyce, on June 21st, 2018
 Sicily Winery Visits Whenever we are in any area with wineries, of course we need to visit them. Although we attend many wine events in San Francisco, actually visiting a winery is much more helpful to teach us about the various wine regions and grape varietals. Our exposure to Sicilian wines has been extremely limited. [Read more …]
By Joyce, on June 19th, 2018
 Although Taormina is a pretty little town in Italy, we went there primary for its proximity to Mt. Etna. The 11,000 foot volcano not only dominates the northeastern part of Sicily, it also created it. As of the mid-17th century Catania was a large city and the 30-mile coastline between Catania and Taormina was a [Read more …]
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