Curious Appetite

WINE

Where to drink wine and enotecas in Florence, Italy

fancy photos by Tracy Russo of Dolce Vida Photography, any other photo by my mega old iphone

You’d be hard pressed to throw a rock and not hit a wine bar or enoteca in Florence. Yet, so many places are- to me- mediocre in terms of wine selection. The struggle is real to drink beyond the Sangiovese obvious in this Chianti-laden city. Not only are Florentines fervently loyal to their local wine landscape rarely exploring beyond their province, but much of wine served (especially in restaurants) leaves something to be desired in terms of quality and uniqueness. This to me is unacceptable in a country which produces such fascinating wines and is home to hundreds upon hundreds of indigenous grapes!

I find to drink interesting Italian wines/discover new varieties, I need to be pretty much anywhere else but Florence with the exception of a handful of places. Consider most glasses poured and wine lists more often than not are predictable and limited. This is of course speaking from my personal tastes. To understand why I bemoan the wine scene in Florence, I invite you to read this post I wrote last year. Continue Reading

Visiting VINITALY in Verona 2018

Ever been to Vinitaly or did you go this year? It’s supposedly the world’s largest wine fair held annually in Verona. I’m not sure if it is actually the largest wine fair in the world, as Prowein also claims this title, but nonetheless it’s a mega wine show. Vinitaly is held at a convention center just 10ish minutes from the historical center of Verona and has numerous pavilions dedicated to various wine regions. Map required as it’s easy to get lost!

I had been to Vinitaly some 5 years ago but had only gone for the day and had a pretty crappy experience. I had spent years writing it off as a result. But my 5 year boycott came to an end (or maybe selective amnesia kicked in) and I decided to go this year. So much had changed over 5 years: I developed as a writer and food & wine professional. Plus, I recently obtained that shiny new sommelier certificate- better keep new knowledge fresh with Vinitaly!

tasting 35 years of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano organized and led by the Consortium

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