Veneto | Radicchioblog

… and a vacation for Prosecco lovers

June 9, 2010

As my personal quest for Italy’s unique destinations continues, I figured that after tasting the best of Tuscan cuisine I need to sip on one of my favorite Italian wines: Prosecco. What a better destination than the “Strada del Prosecco”? (Literally Prosecco wine road).

First known as the “Strada del Vino Bianco” (officially opened in 1966), this stretch of road leads you, for about 47 kilometers (29 miles), among the hills of Conegliano, Feletto, Quartier del Piave and Valdobbiadene all the way to the feet of the Prealpi mountains in the Veneto region. The trip starts in Conegliano exactly in the square where the castle is and it procedes throgh several towns: Costa, Rua, San Pietro di Feletto, Refrontolo, Pieve di Soligo, Solighetto, Farra, Colle San Martino, Guia, Santo Stefano and San Pietro di Borbozza. The road is drizzled with florishing vineyards, lovely communities that welcome old taverns, locandas and trattorias, and striking landscapes. Each participating locanda in town has to feature a plate that reads “Bottega del Vino”. This means that the business has been carefully reviewed by a group of experts in terms of quality of wines available for tastings and on sale, authenticity of the place and oenological knowledge of the staff. The review is done yearly, and who does not pass has to remove the plate. To be considered for qualification, each bottega has sell, no matter the season, the following wines: Bianchi dei Colli, in the dry and amabile varieties, and Prosecco and Cartizze, in dry, amabile, frizzante and spumante varieties. These great wines are paired with fresh baked bread, appetizers, cheeses and cold cuts.

For a place to stay: Villa Giustinian in Portobuffolè (TV) is an amazing villa that offers Prosecco-flavored stays. From June 6th to August 1st, a five-night stay features a tasting in a locanda, a meal in a local trattoria, a bottle of Prosecco and a relaxing vacation at the villa. From August 6th to the 8th fireworks will color your nights, while sipping Prosecco in one of the many locandas.

By Natasha Lardera

Leave a Comment » | Dining, Italian Regions, Sparkling Wines, Travelling, Veneto, Wining | Tagged: Italian Regions, Italian sparkling wines, Italy, Prosecco, Veneto | Permalink
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La Befana, Arrival of the Magi & La Pinza Veneta

January 5, 2010

January 6 is traditionally considered the end of the Christmas holiday. It is the twelfth night of Christmas and is often called the Epiphany or L’Epifania in Italian. According to tradition, this is the day when the three wise men or the Magi visit Jesus in the manger. It has also developed into a family holiday in Italy where children are given candy and treats if they are good and coal if they aren’t. These goods are delivered by an old woman on a broomstick known as La Befana.

La Befana is supposed to be an old woman whom the three Magi met on their way to the manger. Legend has it that they asked for shelter on their way to Bethlehem and that she refused to give it to them. The story is that she said she was too busy cleaning her house, hence the broomstick as part of her image. At some point though, she changed her mind and wanted to accompany them to Bethlehem. When she went to look for them, they had vanished. She has been wandering around looking for them ever since.

In addition to bringing treats for kids, La Befana usually brings traditional desserts to the table for adults. Jan 6 is a national holiday in Italy so many people take the opportunity to have a big, traditional family meal. In the Veneto region in the North East of the country, for example, the meal generally ends with a delicious piece of La Pinza Veneta. Made with cornmeal, it is a very dense cake with raisins and figs. Most people in Italy consider La Befana the end of the holiday season and the beginning of the new year. Auguri.

2 Comments | Baking, Cooking, Italian Regions, Veneto | Tagged: Epifania, La Befana, La Pinza Veneta, Re Magi | Permalink
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Bacaro, An Appealing Spot On Lower East Side, NYC

November 12, 2009

Bacaro is a word in the Venetian dialect for a meeting place. It is also the name of a funky winebar and restaurant on the Lower Est Side in Manhattan. The wines are offered by the Ombra or shadow in Italian which translates into a 3 oz pour, al bicchiere (6 oz pour) and by the caraffa or half bottle. A long and eclectic list of wines from Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Lombardia, Trentino, Alto Adige and Piemonte are offered both by the glass and by the bottle. My favorites are the Nosiola from Trentino producer Cesconi, Colpo di Stato from Conte Loredan Gasparini, Cantina di Venegazzu and a host of wines by the producer Maculan from the Veneto.

The panna cotta, was perhaps the best ever eaten in New York. It was deliciously light and creamy. We had a small glass of nocino to finish off the evening. The bar and restaurant is a large space with tables upstairs and a cave-like lower floor with interesting and private nooks and crannies. Bacaro is a destination for the art crowd thanks in part to the museum in the Bowery and the 10 or more galleries that have popped up nearby.

The Venetian theme is carried on throughout their decor and in their products, from the water to the caffe. Bacaro is definitely worth the wait.

Leave a Comment » | Veneto, Wining | Tagged: Bacaro, Venice, Wine bar | Permalink
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