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SOME FACTS ABOUT ITALIAN WINE

27 Aprile 2022

Wine is one of Italy’s most iconic products. Italy has more than 4,000 years of winemaking experience and a near-perfect climate for producing winemaking grapes. 

Did you know that Italy makes more wine per year than any other nation in the world?

Winemaking is embedded in our culture and is considered a valuable part of the nation’s history. 

The Roman Empire was crucial to the winemaking industry: it was during this period that the wine market grew considerably. The Romans believed wine was a daily necessity, so it was available everywhere. They refined the winemaking process with innovative techniques, some of which we still use.

What are the most appreciated Italian wines?

Barolo originates from Northern Italy, specifically from the Piedmont region and is made from Nebbiolo grapes. It is high in tannins, which give this wine a bitter note.

Off of the Italian mainland, Cannonau di Sardegna comes from the Italian island of Sardinia. This wine is made from the very grapes that give the wine its name and is particularly sweet.

From the area of Brescia in the Lombardy region, originates the sparkling wine of Franciacorta, also known as the Italian Champagne, as it is made from the same grapes.

Historically referred to as Nebbiolo di Barbaresco, Barbaresco wine is made from the same grapes of Barolo, but has a more earthy and musty taste.

Emilia-Romagna region is home of the Lambrusco, characterised by a rose hue and a fruity aroma.

In Tuscany, the Chianti Classico wine is produced in several provinces throughout the regions and is made from a mix of different grapes.

Another Tuscan wine is Brunello di Montalcino, made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes.

Amarone della Valpolicella is known for being one of the most prestigious red wines from the Veneto Region, it has a bold and aromatic flavor.

Italian wines are many more and these are just the most famous. Also, it is almost impossible to describe their complex flavors in just a few lines.

A lot of wedding venues here in Italy are also wineries, and offer the possibility to organise tastings. We warmly suggest you try them yourself!

Have a good day,

Elisa

Food ITALIAN DELICATESSEN Wine

ITALIAN FOOD CULTURE

16 Marzo 2022

Italy’s cuisine has evolved over the centuries, and in the present day, it has expanded far beyond the Italian peninsula to be an influence in culinary traditions throughout the world. 

Italian cuisine has elevated itself to be one of the most appreciated culinary traditions in the world, with many considering it a form of art. 

But what, exactly, is Italian food culture?

While Italian food is certainly distinctive, it’s hard to pin down just one “Italian” food culture.

The truth is that the Italian peninsula has a wealth of culinary diversity, ranging from the seafood-based delicacies of Sicily to the simple, rustic fair of Tuscany and everything in between. 

Many of what people consider traditional Italian dishes, such as pizza and pasta, come from central Italy, while the North showcases all forms of meat and fish and the South has perfected the many uses of the tomato.

That said, there are some common themes that can give us a better feel for Italian culinary culture. 

Of course, there are some distinctly Italian ingredients: tomato, eggplant, and basil are iconic Italian vegetables; cured meats are a staple throughout Italy, and the many varieties of pasta are the region’s most prominent calling card. In addition to this, Italy’s fine cheeses are famously well-known, and of course, no Italian meal would be complete without a glass of exquisite Italian wine.

But perhaps even more central to Italian food culture is the general approach that Italians take to cooking.

Italian food is defined not so much by the type or variety of ingredients, but by a respect for quality and simplicity. 

Most authentic Italian dishes only have a few ingredients: a traditional margherita pizza, for example, has only 4. But those ingredients are made to the highest standard of quality using time-honored traditions. 

Italian food culture is about starting with fresh, quality ingredients, keeping the recipes simple, and letting the natural flavors of the food do all the work.

In the next posts, we’ll try as far as possible to break down this immense culture and describe some Italian traditions and dishes, not only the popular ones.. also those that are lesser-known but deeply loved by Italian people.

Stay tuned!

Elisa