| *** Big Red of the Week *** If you have never wrapped yourself in a Tuscan Blend of French Grapes, you are missing something luxurious, smooth and sexy. This is the way to do BIG right. And Italian! |
Metro Wines Blogs
This blog is dedicated to learning Italian La Dolce Vita, that is, fashion, food and wine! We will focus on the words and phrases you need to get by in Italy. We will learn by translating facebook posts from some of our favorite winemakers including Gaetana Jacono Gola of Valle dell'Acate and Giampaolo Tabarrini, "Menu Italian" from Ristorante...
This blog is dedicated to learning Italian La Dolce Vita, that is, fashion, food and wine! We will focus on the words and phrases you need to get by in Italy. We will learn by translating facebook posts from some of our favorite winemakers including Gaetana Jacono Gola of Valle dell'Acate and Giampaolo Tabarrini, "Menu Italian" from Ristorante Trippi in Valtellina as well as text from the winery websites for some of the many Italian Wines on the shelves @MetroWines. Andiamo! (let's go!)
 A look at Giada's approach to healthy, balanced living. Giada selects food that makes you feel better and support a healthy mind and body. Giada De Laurentiis is the Emmy Award-winning star of Everyday Italian, Giada Entertains, Giada at Home, Giada in Italy, Giada's Holiday Handbook, and Next Food Network Star. Author of 9 New York Times best-selling books. Read, Cook and Serve with this lively and light wine from Hungary!  The name, Harslevelü refers to lime tree leaves. Although South Africa is harvesting some of this varietal, Harslevelü is native to Hungary. Fresh, ripe pure notes, honey, floral fragrant, lime peel and touch of elderflower. A palate of white peach and tropical aromas followed by a silky lingering finish. Easy-drinking wine solo or with food, including healthy food! The 2018 is $16.99 Even though this wine sounds great, you might be asking why we picked a wine from Hungary for an Italian cookbook. Because it works. It would be easy to pick a versatile Vermentino or Grillo or Verdicchio but there is a world of grapes! It's a global economy. Take advantage of it! |
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Ciao Asheville Somebody, a Mr. Pashman, has developed what he says is the perfect pasta! |
| *** Do the Different*** From a Local Importer This Wine from Ischia, Italy is HARD to find! MetroWines has it ONLY at Metro North in Reynolds Village. Call (828) 424-7410 Email us to order or shop 10 to 5 on Saturdays! metrowinesasheville.com/north 
100% Biancolella from Ischia island. Soil is volcanic, pumice and obsidian. Biancolella is an indigenous grape grown mainly on hard and stark slopes ONLY AT METRO NORTH IN REYNOLDS VILLAGE |
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*** BAROLO *** on the nose, followed by delicate tones of Nebbiolo pomace, tar, cranberries and raspberries, mint, anise, gentle musk and a whiffle of white pepper. On the palate, it’s fragrant and uplifting, yet disclosing a rich texture, a fresh but poised mid palate and velvety tannins. Authentic and expressive, Albe beautifully celebrates Barolo "Such a delicious expression of the balanced and drinkable 2016 harvest with fresh red cherries, strawberries and rose perfume. The palate has bright, fine and fleshy texture with a super fine, chalky and plush delivery of ripe, supple and concentrated cherries. So complete. Drink or hold." 93 Points James Suckling $40 for a 94 Point Barolo!Has the World Gone Mad?  Francesca Vaira at the Winery in Barolo, Italy |
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Caffe Frorian
Indeed. Calls for a sparkling wine from The Veneto!
$14 at Drizly and $14.99 at Local 604 Bottle Shop Meanwhile, back in Pompeii, a chariot has been unearthed. And Pizza with a Purpose in Washington DC |
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In Memoriam
Support Etna Wines |
From The Ciao Asheville Recipe Department: Rita Lenderman, Director
If you watched the episode on Rome with Stanley Tucci of "Searching for Italy" on CNN, this is the recipe!
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If you watched "Searching for Italy" with Stanley Tucci last Sunday,
Your consider it ALL with Wine:
Teaching Moment: Monica? Monica is a grape variety found exclusively on Sardinia, 2 caes only. $19.99 (red tag) |
In the late 1990’s, Giampaolo Tabarrini put years of experience to use and decided to bottle his own wine. Giampaolo now makes some of the most highly respected wines from Central Italy. He produces the top 3 wines in the region and is called “The Rising Star of Umbria.” Tabarrini is continually well rated for his single-vineyard Sagrantino’s by Gambero Rosso, The Wine Advocate, and most recently, Wine Spectator.
A great wine is born in the vineyard. Faithful to this maxim, the Tabarrini family pays careful attention to their “terroir,” the earth itself, the vines and their generous fruit: the grapes. Vineyards rich in charm and mature beauty. Even after the grapes have been picked, the Sagrantino leaves still color the countryside with their vibrant red.
"The winery is magical and the wine is truly special." says Gail Rampersaud, Director of Ciao Asheville who has been to Tabarrini in Montefalco. "You don't want to miss this opportunity to travel vicariously to Italy and meet Giampaolo!"
took over the winery in the mid-1990s and has helped revolutionize Umbrian wine. With , his wife and partner in their shared passion for wine, they have made Tabarrini into the outstanding business it is today. In the cellar, Giampaolo’s uncle uses his unparalleled skills to diligently care for the wines, from bunch to bottle. In the vineyards you might meet , aka “Sgabellino.” He’s the fastest tractor driver in the Region. Giampaolo is also devotedly assisted by the company’s enological consultant . Likewise, , our agronomist consultant, intimately knows every inch of the property and helps supervise operations in the vineyards. manages our faithful team of workers in the vineyards. And of course, we can’t forget and , Giampaolo’s mother and father, who dispense experience, wisdom, and advice every day. Together, this is a loyal team, lucky enough to work with their passion every day! All of them are obsessed with quality, from vine to wine bottling when the literal fruits of their labor can be enjoyed by our customers at home or their favorite restaurants.
Montefalco Rosso Boccatone
DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE CONTROLLATA (DOC)
This is not Sagrantino’s younger brother; it is a flavorful and age worthy wine in its own right, with great dignity and much potential. The fusion of traditional grapes, Sangiovese and Sagrantino - along with the precious input of Barbera, ensure this wine has the makings of a future Montefalco classic.Colle Grimaldesco
MONTEFALCO SAGRANTINO
DENOMINAZIONE DI ORGINE CONTROLLATA E GARANTITA (DOCG)
This was Giampaolo’s first Sagrantino, which brought him early critical acclaim. The grapes come from a silt-rich and clay soil, well exposed to the southeast, guaranteeing perfectly ripened grapes and a powerful, deep and balanced wine that is refined in big oak casks. It is released no less than four years after harvest.Contact for MetroWines: Gina Trippi
Ciao a tutti!
Cable
"Roman Holiday" will be on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) at 8pm on Saturday, Feb 13: https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/
CNN's new travel show "Searching for Italy" hosted by Stanley Tucci premiers at 9pm on Sunday, Feb 14: https://
Something Italian to do on Valentine's Day - pizza making class! https://
Go to our Ciao Asheville Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.
Subscribe to the Metro Wines email list here: https://
Buona giornata!
Gail Rampersaud
Events Coordinator
Ciao Asheville
| Spend Quality Time Traveling Italy Through Food and Shopping for Your New Home Town! Stanley Tucci in "Searching for Italy" Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy is a six-part CNN Original Series following Convinced? Thinking About Moving to Small Town Italy? Your Dream of The Italian Life Wine:
$18.99 at wine. com |
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What better Way to Share Quality Time than to...
*** MAKE PIZZA *** Learn to make the perfect New York slice in an online pizza-making class Your Pizza Pounding and Pizza Partner Wine:
For $9.99, |
The Real Dish on Pizza: Two Experts Spill the Ingredients
Evening Program
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 - 6:45 p.m. ET
Thom and James Elliot
STREAMING PROGRAM INFORMATION
- This program is part of our Smithsonian Associates Streamingseries.
- Platform: Zoom
- Online registration is required.
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Pizza is central to so many cultural touch points: from movies, to books, to television and even sports — it permeates them all. In the United States alone, we consume three billion pizzas a year — that’s more than nine pizzas for every single person who lives here.
Thom and James Elliot—brothers, authors, and self-proclaimed “pizza pilgrims”—have spent years researching the best pizza that the world has to offer—and producing their own in 16 restaurants in the United Kingdom. Join them as they celebrate National Pizza Day on February 9.
In conversation with Scott Wiener, pizza expert and founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours, they examine the wildly popular food’s myriad forms and document its cultural significance. They also trace all things pizza, from its history and family tree to world-famous pizzerias, and even explore pizza variants we love to hate (hamburger crust pizza anyone?).
The Elliots’ book Pizza: Recipes, Stories, History, Places, People, Love(Hardie Grant/Quadrille) is available for purchase.
BOOK SALE INFORMATION
- Purchase your copy of Pizza: Recipes, Stories, History, Places, People, Love by Thom and James Elliot here.
- SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 in the “Coupon discount” section of Politics and Prose's check-out page.
UPDATED PATRON INFORMATION
- Unless otherwise noted, registration for streaming programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.
| From The Ciao Asheville Entertainment Desk Follow Ciao Asheville here: https://www.facebook.
Popular throughout Europe. Not widely distributed in country. for $17.99 |
| Paint Your Front Door Quick, Easy, Inexpensive Facelift https://www.reviewed.com/home- paint-front-door-and-give- This wine is the door to a new wine experience. Sure, like a dingy old brown door, because you don't know the name of the winery or the varietal, in this case, GRIGNOLINO, you walk by it. You are missing out. Try it. Be the one who knows!
*** Washington Post Says *** Vivino Says $21.99 Need Another Reason to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone? |
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When in Rome...
The Wine? You might think Tuscany. Close but no sigaro! Lazio Wines are not easy to find in country. ** Be the ONLY one! $19.99 ** (Personal Note: I love this wine! And not just because |
| *** Baby Brunello ***
Lettie Teague writes that retailers, for different reasons, often use the word "baby" before wines known to be costly such as Brunello, Barolo, Bordeaux or Sancere. We do too sometimes. John calls Poggio Apricale a "Baby Brunello." Why?
$19.99! Oh Baby! |
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*** New Book ***
In this new interpretation, art historian Francesca Fiorani offers a different view. Or, if this is too heavy, a slightly lighter endeavor, if you can find it: "Pinocchio" Can't find the film. you can read the book! Either Experience Calls for a Traditionally Made Tuscan!
A quintessential Tuscan quaffer with a price to quality ratio so rarely seen these days. $17.99 |
| *** New Discovery ***
Pompeii Fast Food Counter
The Wine? Pair Ancient to Ancient. Most ampelographers believe that the Malvasia family of grapes are of ancient origin,
It's an Andy Pick! Bottled Antiquity for Today: $24 |
