ITALIAN TOP EATS: Uliassi, A 3 Star Michelin Experience
On the Adriatic coast in the northern part of Marche, Italy, just south of the crowds in Rimini, sits the sleepy port town of Senigallia; just north of my favorite seaside town of San Benedetto del Tronto. In this quaint town of roughly 40,000 people you will find Uliassi, one of the finest restaurants in […]
Black Gold: The Truth About Authentic Balsamic Vinegar
You may already be familiar with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, but today I am excited to introduce you to the truth about balsamic vinegar. 99% percent of what you find on the grocery store shelves in America isn’t authentic. On my recent travels across Italy in pursuit of Italian wine, food and culture, I […]
Dom Perignon: The Fascinating History of Champagne
CHAMPAGNE HISTORY: The history of Champagne is a fascinating one to learn about. The famous Benedictine monk Dom Perignon (1638-1715) is often credited with discovering how to create it, but he was not actually the first at all. He is responsible for perfecting the technique of making Champagne and even controlling the secondary fermentation process […]
Looking for great value wines? Head to Trader Joe’s
Yes! You can find great value wines at Trader Joe’s! If you’re a lot like me (and many others) you love a great deal. Even better than that is getting something of quality for a great deal. I have spent the last 20 years tasting, selecting wines and assessing value, quality for individuals and restaurants […]
Unwined With This Easy, Authentic Bolognese Sauce
Unwined Live Bolognese Sauce Recipe The Ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef (90/10 lean) 1/2 pound of ground pork (not sausage) ( traditionally Pancetta) Cup of white wine (dry) 1/2 to 2/3 bottle of red wine (Chianti is my preferred choice) 1.5 chopped carrot 1.5 chopped celery 2 large shallots 3 leaves of sage, chopped […]
The Difference: Pancetta, Guanciale & Bacon
Pancetta, guanciale and bacon are three commonly used ingredients in Italian cuisine and also are gaining a foothold in American cuisine as well. When used correctly, they add a rich variety of flavor to many dishes and are magic when you find the highest quality. Because of their similar qualities, they are often confused with […]
Top 10 Red Wines Under $20!
Drinking red wines are an essential part of everyday life and a form of sustenance for many European countries like Italy. It has a religious component to it as well and offers many health benefits like antioxidants, resveratrol, and increased heart health. I also might mention that drinking wine can provide mental health benefits too, […]
Top 10 Sparkling Wines Under $25
Picking great wines that are HUGE on taste and affordably priced can be a daunting task for anyone. We all want something that is going to taste great, everyone can enjoy and doesn’t break the bank. In America, the holiday season is always the biggest time of the year for bubbles so I have put […]
ARPEPE: The Crown Jewel of Valtellina Valley
Millions of people from all over the world dream about going to Lake Como during their life and perhaps some even get the opportunity to visit. But what most don’t dream or know about are the magical wines from Valtellina, a wine region located approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Como.
