“Poderi di Garfagnana”, a wine you should know about.

Tuscany is famous for famous wines – Chianti and Sassicaia being but two. However, the smaller producers are possibly even more interesting than the Super Tuscan giants. One such vinyard is called Poderi di Garfagnana and is located in Camporgiano, about 30 mins north of Lucca, in the most stunning scenery you can find in Tuscany.

Looking up from the vines you can spot the medieval fortress of Verrucole on the mountain above (it’s a brilliant place to take fractious kids to let them explore and run wild). Looking down at the vines you begin to get thirsty and start to wonder what the wine tastes like. Fortunately you can have a wine tasting here of their 4 signature wines. You need to book (see website for details) but Mauro and Stefano are very personable so don’t hesitate to email or call them. Because I have to tell you – you cannot visit this area without tasting this wine. IT IS AMAZING. Continue Reading…

Busted for Lasagne

In Rome recently Giancarlo Sabastini was picked up by police after they correctly guessed that he could not stay away from his wife’s lasagne. He avoided police for over a decade on the run across Europe after he was sentenced for almost 4 years prison for drug trafficking (Mafia overtones).

Last Tuesday police staked out Sabastini’s family home. They saw Sabastini’s daughter leaving the family home carrying a large dish. Following her to a different address, they burst in and seized Sabastini and his lasagne. Police say Sabatini came from his hideout in Belgium to celebrate the last day before Lent with his family. It seems almost incredible that the man was caught because he was hooked on his wife’s meat lasagne. Continue Reading…

The Wild Boar Survival Guide

October to February is hunting season in Italy for Wild Boar (Cinghiali).

Hunting boar is a traditional pastime yet it is only this year that hunters have been able to sell their catch – previously they had to eat everything themselves. But this year you might well find actually wild Wild Boar on the menu at restaurants, which is a real leap forwards for slow food enthusiasts (though perhaps not for the boar themselves who are now a commodity rather than a hobby).

Why are boar hunted? Apart from the fact that they taste good (think Cinghiali al umido) [or any other recipe you can link to] but they cause a lot of damage to gardens and trees. This sounds harsh (you can only really appreciate the murderous qualities needed to shoot the creatures after your lovingly planted vegetable garden has been entirely rooted up) but these animals also breed terribly fast. Originally the Wild Boar had one or two young every year, thus sustaining a balanced population. Unfortunately the domestic (and prolific) pig came into the genetic mix and created a hybrid Boar which produces between 4 – 10 offspring each pregnancy. Thus the countryside is overpopulated and hunting is a sensible solution. Continue Reading…