Unique Wine Bottles Make Sparkling Gifts

Unique Wine Bottles Make Sparkling Gifts

Unique wine bottles stimulate our senses, capture our imagination, and beckon us to sip what’s inside.  With eye-catching designs, colors, and materials, they also make lovely gifts. Unique wine bottles can create an impression long before the recipient pops the cork. Some wine bottles are so elegant (and very cool looking) that they beg to…

Sparkling Rosé Wines: Pink Passion
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Sparkling Rosé Wines: Pink Passion

Sparkling rosé wine was once a fleeting summer infatuation. But for an increasing number of wine lovers, it’s become a lingering four-season passion. Why? The wine is light, fresh, fruity, and eminently drinkable. Beloved for its versatility, it’s a delightful aperitif, perhaps paired with charcuterie or oysters, but it can also be enjoyed throughout a…

Castello Estense in Ferrara: Setting for ‘The Marriage Portrait’

Castello Estense in Ferrara: Setting for ‘The Marriage Portrait’

Because of its location, size and structure, Castello Estense, now a state-owned museum, seems to dominate the city of Ferrara in northern Italy. Built in 1385 to protect the town, this medieval fortress was once home to the powerful Este family. Located right in the city center, it’s a stone’s throw from the Cathedral and…

Sparkling Wine Miniatures: The Cost of Convenience
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Sparkling Wine Miniatures: The Cost of Convenience

A recent article in the industry publication Beverage Daily by Alex Green noted that although they’re not new, wine miniatures are experiencing a heyday.  Coincidentally, when we recently visited one of our local wine shops, we noticed for the first time that Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut was being sold there in miniature wine bottles….

Slow Travel By Train: Getting There Is Part of the Journey

Slow Travel By Train: Getting There Is Part of the Journey

The Slow Travel movement (an offshoot of the Slow Food Movement) began in Italy, but the approach is growing in appeal. Rather than focusing on speed, travelers want opportunities to connect with locals and experience their food, culture and traditions. In this guest post, my colleague Tim Albert, a British journalist and author, recounts his…

How To Order Food In Italy: 11 Rules
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How To Order Food In Italy: 11 Rules

When it comes to ordering food and dining out at restaurants, every country has its own customs and traditions. We’ve collected some of the “rules” for how to order food in Italy that we’ve learned over the course of many trips to different regions. However, you’ll find that these rules aren’t rigidly enforced. That’s because…