Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei
When Castrese Loffredo, owner of Tenuta Loffredo, parked the car and gestured toward the highest point of the terraced hillside, our destination for the tasting, the prospect felt daunting. After a long day spent sampling the current vintage of wines from across sun-drenched Campania, the climb seemed like a final test of endurance. Yet what initially appeared challenging soon revealed itself as a necessary and … Continue reading Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei
From Sweden’s Coast to a Tuscan Table: The Strandåkra Vingård Sparkling Wine Story
Some of the best wine stories begin not in vineyards, but between friends. When a friend of mine, Katarina Andersson of Grapevine Adventures, a Swedish wine writer, came to visit me in Tuscany for a few relaxed days, we both knew that “relaxing” would inevitably involve opening bottles, sharing impressions, and talking endlessly about wine. When she stepped off the train, her bag held an … Continue reading From Sweden’s Coast to a Tuscan Table: The Strandåkra Vingård Sparkling Wine Story
Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines
Just south of Padua, the Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills) rise gently from the plains, their cone-shaped profiles shaped by ancient volcanic activity and centuries of careful human stewardship. These hills form one of Italy’s most quietly compelling wine regions, where modern red wines combine history, character, and remarkable drinkability. Grapes and Terroir The identity of the Colli Euganei is inseparable from its volcanic origins and … Continue reading Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines
Savoring Piedmont: Monferrato Casalese’s Wine and White Truffles
Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside Langhe and Roero, charms with its vineyard-covered hills and medieval villages, but its true allure lies in its wines and truffles. Recently, the region came alive at the 58th International White Truffle Fair “Trifola d’Or” in Murisengo, where the rich aroma of truffles mingled with the crisp autumn air and the clink of glasses filled with local wines. … Continue reading Savoring Piedmont: Monferrato Casalese’s Wine and White Truffles
Assisi: History Underfoot, the Future at La Locanda del Cardinale
La Locanda del Cardinale has always been one of those places in Assisi where time seems to slow down. Set inside Palazzo del Cardinale, just a few steps from Piazza del Comune and the Basilica of Saint Clare, the restaurant has long been known for its rare ability to blend history, elegance, and serious gastronomy. Today, however, there’s a fresh reason to walk through its … Continue reading Assisi: History Underfoot, the Future at La Locanda del Cardinale
Tuscan Wines from Tenuta Licinia in Lucignano: The Beauty of Flavor in Every Soil
Tenuta Licinia sits quite literally behind my house, yet it took a visit with James Marshall-Lockyer to fully grasp the depth of thought behind this small but serious Tuscan estate. Walking through the vineyards with him and his dogs, it quickly became clear that Licinia is not just a place where wine is made, but where ideas are tested, refined, and translated into the glass. … Continue reading Tuscan Wines from Tenuta Licinia in Lucignano: The Beauty of Flavor in Every Soil
Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange
Tasting Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023 offers a clear window into the philosophy of Château Grand’Grange. The grapes come from south and south-east facing vineyards at around 300 meters on granitic sandy soils, ideal for 100% Gamay. All harvesting is done by hand, preserving freshness and precision. Fermentation lasts about two weeks, using a mix of 50% destemmed fruit and 50% whole clusters, with gentle punch-downs … Continue reading Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange
Osteria Le Logge: Where Tuscany Sits Down to Eat in Siena
Gianni Brunelli, founder of Osteria Le Logge, often said, “Eating is important, but eating well is essential,” a phrase that still defines the spirit of the restaurant. Tucked into a narrow medieval street that climbs from Siena’s main piazza toward the ancient Pope’s Lodge, just steps from Piazza del Campo, Le Logge feels inseparable from the city itself. It was here, in 1977, that Gianni … Continue reading Osteria Le Logge: Where Tuscany Sits Down to Eat in Siena
Vinchio Vaglio and the Heart of Monferrato: Wine, Culture, and Culinary Heritage
Monferrato unfolds like a living canvas of vineyards, rolling hills, and sunlit or often in autumn, magical with the nebbia when it sets in the slopes , where centuries of history meet human devotion. Here, every corner tells a story—of resilient growers, of noble families, of kitchens where tradition and innovation coexist. My journey through this region was anchored by the Cantina Cooperativa Vinchio Vaglio, … Continue reading Vinchio Vaglio and the Heart of Monferrato: Wine, Culture, and Culinary Heritage
Pizza Night with Greece and Italy at Allegrìo on Via Veneto, Rome
Some dinners stand out not just for the food, but for the story they tell, and “Allegrìo’s Friends – Greece & Italy” was one of those nights—a vibrant meeting of Mediterranean traditions hosted at Allegrìo on Rome’s iconic Via Veneto. On November 20, 2025, three acclaimed pizza masters came together for a one-evening collaboration: Giovangiuseppe Aiello and Daniele Cretì, Allegrìo’s Master Pizzaiolo and Executive Chef, … Continue reading Pizza Night with Greece and Italy at Allegrìo on Via Veneto, Rome
Grosjean Vins: 400 Years of Heroic, Winemaking in Italy’s Aosta Valley
High in the Aosta Valley, where dramatic slopes meet crisp alpine air, the Grosjean family has cultivated vines since the early 1600s. Their story is one of heritage shaped by passion, with each generation caring for the same mountain soils. The modern rise of the estate began in the 1960s when Grandfather Dauphin committed fully to winemaking and bottled the family’s first Ciliegiolo. Its warm … Continue reading Grosjean Vins: 400 Years of Heroic, Winemaking in Italy’s Aosta Valley
White Gold of Umbria: The 45th Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato in Città di Castello
Every autumn, the Umbrian town of Città di Castello transforms into the beating heart of Italy’s truffle culture for the Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato, a festival celebrating the region’s most prized delicacy — the white truffle. Known scientifically as Tuber magnatum Pico, this rare and aromatic fungus grows beneath the roots of oak and poplar trees and can only be discovered with the … Continue reading White Gold of Umbria: The 45th Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato in Città di Castello
La Clandestina Cocktail & Food: The Secret Pulse of Arezzo
Hidden within a historic building on Corso Italia, in the very heart of Arezzo, lies La Clandestina Cocktail & Food—a place where memorabilia from different eras come together to create a playful, time-bending atmosphere for one of the city’s most intriguing bars. Founders Alessandro Di Salvatori and Linda Giangeri have shaped the space into something both cinematic and intimate, part speakeasy, part living room, and … Continue reading La Clandestina Cocktail & Food: The Secret Pulse of Arezzo
Inside Out Menu by Allegrío Rome: Where Emotion Meets Italian Flavor
IOn the iconic Via Veneto, where the echoes of La Dolce Vita still hum beneath the Roman sun, Allegrío continues to redefine the art of dining. Led by Creative Director Sabrina Corbo, this vibrant restaurant is more than a place to eat; it is a space where flavors become feelings and color meets cuisine. Each visit is a celebration of joy, memory, and human connection … Continue reading Inside Out Menu by Allegrío Rome: Where Emotion Meets Italian Flavor
A Table in Testaccio: Discovering Rome at Romeo
In the most genuine of Rome’s neighborhoods, Testaccio, where daily life unfolds between market stalls, neighborhood bars, and the hum of local conversation, Romeo, founded by Massimo Scordino, opened its doors this past March. The restaurant fits naturally into the area’s rhythm — a place that doesn’t chase trends or reinterpret tradition, but simply honors it. It celebrates true Roman identity through honest cooking, convivial … Continue reading A Table in Testaccio: Discovering Rome at Romeo