Definition of Wine (Chapter II)
I am guessing that I might have introduced some confusion in Chapter I.
In my experience, the only way to clear up the confusion is to identify where the problem lies. The main problem is that the wine business is
Italian Wines? Seriously! (Chapter 1)
I started truly appreciating wine thanks to a good friend of mine who introduced me to it some time ago. That was when I learned that only a friend can really introduce you to wine.
(Photo courtesy of Azienda Agricola Fontanavecchia)
While I am passionate about Italian wines and wine making, I have a conflict about expressing myself here on the blog on these topics
Villa Borghese - an oasis within Rome
With all of the many historical sites, wonderful restaurants, and other distractions of Rome, it is easy to overlook the wonderful gem of the gardens at the Villa Borghese.
(Photo courtesy of ItalyGuides)
I know it is easy to overlook because it has happened to me.
Visiting the Uffizi in style
Have you ever been caught in a long line while traveling and had no idea how long you would have to wait?
…and then wished you had a way to avoid the long line?
International furniture show in Milan
Where is the largest international furniture design show held every year?
Finding The Last Supper - well worth the search
The first time I visited Milan, I was on a business trip. It was one of my first visits to Italy, and like many inexperienced tourists, I somehow expected huge signs pointing me towards The Last Supper. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
It turns out that the famous painting is housed in the monastery at the Santa Maria Delle Grazie
The Trastevere district in Rome - a rich experience of taste and culture
When I worked in Rome, I was fortunate because I worked with a team of Italian consultants from all over Italy, most of whom wanted to go out for dinner after work. We usually ate dinner in the Trastevere district in Rome. The name of the district derives from the Latin words “Trans Tiberem”, meaning across the Tiber.
Every evening our group would meet at the Cinema Farnese in the Piazza Campo de’ Fiori, which is on the other side of
Easter Monday is Picnic Day!
La Pasquetta is Easter Monday in Italy. After a solemn Holy Week, and the traditional celebrations of Easter Sunday, Easter Monday is a day to go out and have some fun!
For many in Italy, it is a day to have a picnic. What better way to savor the soft spring sunshine
Italian ceramic products - following the Italian tradition of hand-made luxury in the modern world
In a time when the trend is towards mass-produced consumer goods, Elisa Giampietro, an Italian ceramicist, quietly bucks the trend, creating beautiful, hand-made wood stoves in the tradition of the Castellamonte area of Piemonte - Italy.
The design principles behind the Castellamonte stoves are based on hundreds of years of tradition in Italy, yet it is a product that is distinctly modern because our sources of energy are increasingly limited, and somehow, inexplicably, traditional solutions like the wood stove have become practical once again. The workshop where these designs are produced is tucked away in the picturesque area of Canavese, in the Northeast part of Piedmont.
No two items are identical and that is by design since each stove is hand-made. In the time-honored tradition, each stove is elaborated with the mix of dedication and creativity that is required for all good artisan products. In fact, that philosophy of craftsmanship permeates all of the products that the ceramicist creates, from the high-end stoves to ceramic jewelry; each creation expresses that wonderful blend of attention to detail and passion.
Her company is also conscious of the need to evolve and explore new products that provide contemporary value, while preserving the timeless aesthetic perspective. For example they are developing the concept of heating panels, which illustrate that point very well. There will be more on that topic at a later time.
Perhaps the ceramicist herself sums up her work best with this quote:
“Basically we are an “endangered species” to be put under protection… destined to disappear in this world that appears focused only on the “cost” of things, rather than their value”
(In fondo siamo una “specie in via di estinzione” da mettere sotto tutela … destinati a scomparire in questo mondo dove è soltanto più il “prezzo” delle cose piuttosto che il loro valore ad esser preso in considerazione).
Ci sentiamo presto!
Lina
The cinquecento and Italian Design
Have you seen the new Fiat 500?
It is a shiny little apple of a car with retro styling inside and out, two-tone seats, a fabric roof (if you get the convertible version), and plenty
Teatro alla Scala - a brief history
Seeing an opera at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan is on my top-10 list of things to do the next time I go to Italy. For some reason, a visit to the famous opera house has eluded me on my previous trips. But, the theatre is certainly one of the most important icons of the opera world.
Parmigiana di Zucchine: delicious vegetarian dish
After reading Lynn’s recent article http://blog.madeinitalymall.com/post/19237458535/adopting-an-italian-eating-style-in-america about adopting Italian vegetarian cooking techniques, I realized that quite often I prepare vegetarian dishes. Since I’m not vegetarian, that article reminded me that the majority of my favorite Italian dishes are “mostly vegetarian”. The Parmigiana di Melanzane (eggplant ), a quite popular, delicious dish prepared in the south of Italy, is an example of one of my top favorite dishes that just happens to be vegetarian, too. You will find the same dish prepared in many variations, including
Is the Caesar salad Italian?
Growing up in Southern California, I had heard that the Caesar salad was named after the famous Roman emperor and that the recipe originated in Italy
Delicious spaghetti sciue`-sciue` in 5 minutes
In Italy, pasta is quite often a kind of “ritual” used to share a great time with friends. It’s surely the case with spaghetti sciue`-sciue`(pronounced shoowae-shoowae) from the Naples-Caserta area, which is where I grew-up.
Let’s pretend that suddenly you show up at my home unannounced, I’ll surely
