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<title>Our RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/index.html</link><description>Updates</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2008 Robert Alexander</dc:rights><dc:date>2010-03-01T19:53:28+01:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:18:52 +0100</lastBuildDate><item><title>Robert returns to spring</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-03-01T19:53:28+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/28afe4353034b5c810bfe118ba0e765e-72.html#unique-entry-id-72</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/28afe4353034b5c810bfe118ba0e765e-72.html#unique-entry-id-72</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After a little de-icing in Mpls. 3 plane rides, 2 trains


and 1 bus Robert is back from the frozen tundra of Minnesota


The main reason for his short visit, besides catching


up with friends and family was 2 or 3 or ..... trips to 


W.C Lounge for sliders.


And a great filet at Murray&rsquo;s (Thanks Eric and Jonio)


My send off dinner at Miesters with hand cut fries was perfect


(thank&rsquo;s Angie and Larry)


A visit to Minnesota is not complete with out a drive across a lake to check out the 


ice fishing. (no Carlo, the fish don&rsquo;t come out as frozen fish sticks)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A lot more work</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-02-02T18:50:25+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/8559938bb1666205110d41ec5bebc6b8-71.html#unique-entry-id-71</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/8559938bb1666205110d41ec5bebc6b8-71.html#unique-entry-id-71</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Wine makers are getting ready for a lot more work during the labeling


process, in the past the control tag (fascetta) was only required for D.O.C.G.


wines about 15 to 20% of their production.   New laws in 2010 mean almost


all of their wines will need the control label.


Small producers who did this one at a time by hand in the past  are


now looking for machines to do this tedious work.


However these machines don&rsquo;t always get it right.


This is the closest thing to coffee to go in Italy, gotta love it!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fun Wine</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-01-25T13:01:57+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/6599b4ee761826fa3e475247b25a7591-70.html#unique-entry-id-70</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/6599b4ee761826fa3e475247b25a7591-70.html#unique-entry-id-70</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Living next to many different winemakers gives us the 


opportunity to try their experiments, we&rsquo;ve been drinking 


our way through 100 liters of a Nebbiolo and Sav.   Blanc 


Rose blend made by our friend Enzo from La Ganghija.


Luckily for us Enzo didn&rsquo;t care for the wine but  we love it 


and are happy to drink our way through it 2 liters at a time.


The other night at the neighbors we drank an 2003 


Cortese it was fantastic not fresh and crisp the usual 


descriptors used for this varietal but mellow and creamy


with tons of carmel]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Winter is back</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-01-10T16:09:21+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/337e5e11a9868d4dce023e00ff696052-69.html#unique-entry-id-69</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/337e5e11a9868d4dce023e00ff696052-69.html#unique-entry-id-69</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After our green and warm Christmas we awoke to 10&rdquo; of snow last thursday


(jan. 7th) but it's melting fast a good thing because robert left a load of wood


for the stuffa in the lift over night oops.


At dinner last night with a group of friends who are all very wine savvy,


We ordered Barbera for the table by the carafe something unheard 


of in the states especially for a bunch of wine geeks.   The wine


was great and cheap its good to live in wine country]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Two down One to go</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-01-03T19:14:51+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f431e6d003540853ab5a3b7192ff065c-68.html#unique-entry-id-68</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f431e6d003540853ab5a3b7192ff065c-68.html#unique-entry-id-68</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With Christmas and New Years over, next up La Befana on Jan 6th the big day


for kids.   On New Years eve we stopped into our favorite aperitivo spot and we were 


reminded of one of many cultural differences, just like the states, every restaurant


is full but here a small table is 15 and it is not uncommon to see 30 or more at one table.


One of the joy&rsquo;s of living in a famous wine region surrounded by wineries,


fun surprises show up at your door when you&rsquo;re out shopping.


Now that January is upon us the growers are buying rootstock for


 planting in feb/mar, the ground never freezes solid here 


( a very good thing)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Warm &#x26; Green Christmas</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-12-27T17:57:43+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/5be72d7c723686b9c3d586d75395c4bb-67.html#unique-entry-id-67</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/5be72d7c723686b9c3d586d75395c4bb-67.html#unique-entry-id-67</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[No white Christmas for us, with mid 50&rsquo;s cotta was very glad to be on her sun deck


Took this photo from our kitchen balcony Christmas morning.   What a difference a 


year makes check out the photo below taken one year ago.


We much prefer the &ldquo;regular&rdquo; weather were experiencing this winter last year was 


almost minnesota like. 


Is he coming or going ?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Road trip and snow</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-12-21T16:54:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/616c6fe46caaddb83143ac9b83cc99d5-66.html#unique-entry-id-66</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/616c6fe46caaddb83143ac9b83cc99d5-66.html#unique-entry-id-66</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We did some scouting this weekend for our spring trips to the Franciacorta


wine region,which is about 3 hoursnorth east of Barbaresco. 


 Was fun but way too cold.


Our first snow arrived on the 17th of December,  only 2 inches but enough for a


white Christmas.  The garage is packed full with fire wood so Robert parks under


the bedroom balcony to maintain his recored of never scraping the car here in the


Langhe.    He does not miss that old MN sport of scraping and shoveling snow.


Testing out the new stuffa, made it to 93 F


Treiso covered in snow.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Santa</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-12-11T08:11:57+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d99e6c4c6c0ee7e3fad3ec63bf8370e4-65.html#unique-entry-id-65</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d99e6c4c6c0ee7e3fad3ec63bf8370e4-65.html#unique-entry-id-65</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[No, it&rsquo;s not santa doing pull-ups to drop a few pounds.   The Christmas decoration 


of choice in Italy is Santa climbing a ladder usually hanging over a balcony.


Another sign of Christmas approaching is the ever popular panettone in shop


windows.


This is our new foodie friend Dilip, who moved here to Piemonte from India to mary a 


local girl.    He and his wife Maria opened an Indian restaurant in Alba a few years 


ago.   Dilip offered to give Chiaro some lessons, so we threw a party.


It was a hit!     The British, Peruvians, Indians, Americans and the local Piemontese


loved it.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Barbera</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-12-03T15:36:50+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/364d922294082837dc480b41cb2ed3cd-64.html#unique-entry-id-64</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/364d922294082837dc480b41cb2ed3cd-64.html#unique-entry-id-64</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A couple of weeks ago we went to a giant Barbera


wine tasting that was a great way to compare many different 


producers using only one varietal. 


There were 4 tables each with about 75 wines to pick from, almost 300 wines in total.


Chiaro and our friend Richard talking a break from some very hard work!


Cotta choosing our next wine to try.  
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Turkey Day </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-11-30T14:55:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/958778e8c549123ea0fa520c4dc83255-63.html#unique-entry-id-63</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/958778e8c549123ea0fa520c4dc83255-63.html#unique-entry-id-63</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Happy Thanksgiving!   Enjoying some aperitivo bubbles before the big feast.


An expat dinner (sorry about the bad photo) alcohol may have been an


 contributing factor.


American with a scottish touch.   Cameron (the Scot) did a great job, he


 introduced us to Bread Sauce, Fried Bread Crumbs and Yorkshire Puddings,


along with a perfectly cooked turkey, sausage stuffing and roasted potatoes and


root vegetables.  Our other English friends brought sides of Cheesy broccoli and


Sauteed Red Cabbage.


 


What a difference a year makes looking at our house through vines with no


snow on the ground, very glad to be heading into dec. snow-free!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>French fries on pizza?</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-11-22T10:42:49+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/62a1c50f06cb86f7ae207b5a3f74e7de-62.html#unique-entry-id-62</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/62a1c50f06cb86f7ae207b5a3f74e7de-62.html#unique-entry-id-62</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A very popular pizza topping in Italy is french fries, very strange to us but the locals


love it.    We haven&rsquo;t tried this yet, we are very afraid.    Funny thing is some call this &ldquo;American


style&rdquo;?


Chiaro is very happy that we found &ldquo;single field/free range&rdquo; potatoes at the Alba market,


even better than Idaho


Hard to believe but Robert has become the local go to tech guy (mac only)


&ldquo; A hacked iphone is a happy iphone &ldquo;


Last of our fall colors, now we start the rainy/foggy season.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fall and Tastings</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-11-08T08:42:01+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/0b401f037ecbb14d704320c09d3a54a5-59.html#unique-entry-id-59</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/0b401f037ecbb14d704320c09d3a54a5-59.html#unique-entry-id-59</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The fall colors this year is the best we've seen yet !


Another great tasting/winery tour with our expat friends at  RESSIA


A very passionate wine maker Fabrizio 


Fabrizio Ressia's line up of wines.


A must try and very interesting  Dry Moscato  this will be our aperitivo


wine next summer and our spicy food wine this winter.


Carlo (Darryl) Warning Chiaro to stop finding new producers who make great wine.


This is starting to get expensive !
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cheese and Truffles</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Tours</category><dc:date>2009-10-28T10:00:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f661f3acda5867794ebc0b020806895d-58.html#unique-entry-id-58</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f661f3acda5867794ebc0b020806895d-58.html#unique-entry-id-58</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On a recent tour we took our quests  to one of our favorite stops.    " La Luna Buona"


a Robiola cheese producer.   Olivia the owner (on left) is showing us her goats 


they are free Range as is required by D.O.P. laws


Learning about the production facility.


The wonderful cheeses they make shown here dusted with herbs and


spices including vegetable carbon.


A fall in Piemonte is not complete with out a truffle hunt Robert got to 


follow our neighbor Lorenzo on a hunt with his truffle dog Diana


Maybe a hit ?


Yes, they score !!! 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More wine</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-10-19T14:42:24+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/a74647ae1ed1f33b9b3ad1ec7fbd7b58-57.html#unique-entry-id-57</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/a74647ae1ed1f33b9b3ad1ec7fbd7b58-57.html#unique-entry-id-57</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This weekend was the annual "Barbaresco Week-End" wine tasting held in the 


Barbaresco city hall.   Chiaro with our expat friends Andrea and Lesley as we "work" 


are way through 51 2006 Barbaresco's, La Ca Nova winery was the favorite


of the day.   We exempt our usual favorites from judging Sottimano, Moccagatta,


Ca del Baio, Vigin, La Ganghija  etc.


Everything is a family event in Italy, good training for Oliver


The quote of the day go's to Carlo a.k.a.   Darryl  " A nothing nose


with a hint of what i don't like"


The last pressing of 2009 at Vigin ( Cru Cotta ) this pomace is off to the 


distillery to be made into Grappa (rocket fuel )
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Yet another festival</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-10-12T20:19:56+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/8cd4ec52242f390d0f43f1e9f5b218a0-56.html#unique-entry-id-56</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/8cd4ec52242f390d0f43f1e9f5b218a0-56.html#unique-entry-id-56</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just when we thought we've seen every festival we came across the "CUGNA"


Festival in the small town of Coazzolo near Neive.   We bought 3 cungnas and 2


Salsa di peperoncino that should hold us till spring.


Wow not many people for such a warm/sunny day then we realized lunch


was not over yet so all the Italians were at home eating sunday lunch.   We were


able to taste all the different home made cugnas in only 45 min. a record for 


Italy. cugna is a breakfast preserve for toast made from grapes and hazelnuts.


Even Cotta got in on the action meeting some of the town characters.


Next up, The total stomach festival in Barolo of course yummy !!!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Pizza&#x2c; Pasta and Pressing</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Tours</category><dc:date>2009-10-05T19:47:13+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/2cde186e86e47ee2d7c8e46366ee94b4-55.html#unique-entry-id-55</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/2cde186e86e47ee2d7c8e46366ee94b4-55.html#unique-entry-id-55</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Nothing beats the home made pasta at one of our favorite restaurants "Crota"


Harvest in done here in Barbaresco now the hard work in the cellar starts. 


Pressing is a very messy job.   Roberts hands remain Barbara red for two 


weeks.   But they are very soft.


The La Morra sherif  detaining more tourists from the states Bob and Mila 


were good sports and followed orders to email this photo to city hall.


Bob did a great job impressing the locals with his pizza making skills.   They


 think we Americans are strange for putting pears & Gorgonzola on a pizza 


But putting french fry s on a pizza is normal ?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Harvest</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2009-09-24T12:23:18+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/6ad6a93a9e5680b034ac72d370fa2aa6-54.html#unique-entry-id-54</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/6ad6a93a9e5680b034ac72d370fa2aa6-54.html#unique-entry-id-54</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[ The nebbiolo harvest is under way in Barolo and the weather has been 


 perfect


Theses nebbiolo grapes are waiting to be weighed and then it's off to the


De-stemmer & crusher.    Destined for a bottle of Barbaresco in 3 years.


The last of many parties for the birthday girl at the E.   Pira e Figli winery in


 Barolo, its good to have friends who love Champagne as much as we


 do (Pol Roger & Bollinger) thanks Bob & Chiara !!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Harvest</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2009-09-16T09:36:13+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/aac372fb53d410de2f1d76474b8ab969-53.html#unique-entry-id-53</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/aac372fb53d410de2f1d76474b8ab969-53.html#unique-entry-id-53</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The 2009 harvest is underway, the white's (Moscato,Chardannay,Arneis and 


Favorita) are 90% finished.    Producers are very happy with the 09 vintage.


Next up the red's (dolcetto,barbera,nebbiolo and many others.


This photo was taken from are kitchen balcony showing are neighbor Lorenzo loading


Moscato.


A small grower on his way to the public scale with his grapes


A sign of cooler weather on it's way, loading up our garage 


with fire wood for the stuffa. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Birthdays and Tastings</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-09-10T15:22:58+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/9f468df64b71f1b8ce02313a2a82de85-52.html#unique-entry-id-52</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/9f468df64b71f1b8ce02313a2a82de85-52.html#unique-entry-id-52</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Chiaro celebrating her 40th  at her friend Chiara's 50th surprise birthday party at 


La Ciau del Tornavento (way to go Bob).    Yes that is a freshly sciabolaed 


bottle of Cristal however we still prefer Bille.


birthday(week):   wine at the Piacere Barbaresco tasting with our friend and 


Treiso neighbor, Andrea.    The tasting was a hit, they decorated the elementary 


school gym like a vineyard.


A new event this year at the tasting was a hit.   The 9 glasses in the background


had extracts of veris wine smells for to to try identifying, if you got all 9 correct


you win a bottle of Barbarecso


Zero tolerance in ITALY (NOT) you have to love a country that has a huge


wine tasting in their elementary school caffeteria along with a temp wine shop


in the front office.   The tasting lasted through monday so, no school !! ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>BBQ Langhe style</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-09-01T10:33:23+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/3d4fac72f5b8c777767abe6390415478-51.html#unique-entry-id-51</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/3d4fac72f5b8c777767abe6390415478-51.html#unique-entry-id-51</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Chiaro teaching some newbies how to properly  sciabola a bottle of bubbles


during a BBQ at our friend Stefano's home.     Behind her is his outdoor kitchen 


and dinning room, common here in Langhe because of the hot and long summers. 


 


Stefano cooked  a giant salmon in 15 pounds of salt in his wood-fired pizza oven


it was so good chiaro even ate some !!!!  


The local cafe banter is all talking about the first lady wearing 


short pants, they all want our opion hmmmm. well.......]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Still hot and sunny</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-08-27T13:50:36+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d0827b6734aca275ce3557bdaabe854d-50.html#unique-entry-id-50</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d0827b6734aca275ce3557bdaabe854d-50.html#unique-entry-id-50</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hazelnuts everywhere</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-08-25T09:40:55+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b7c9f7800e0955d60e6ea7b8d5774b27-49.html#unique-entry-id-49</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b7c9f7800e0955d60e6ea7b8d5774b27-49.html#unique-entry-id-49</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The hazelnut harvest is almost over pictured is a sweeper style harvester


dumping its load into a tractor trailer. 


Lucky for us (not ) a vacuum style harvester is used in our back yard.


The dust is incredible good thing harvest lasts only 2 or 3 days.


Another load.


Coming soon to a jar of nutella near you.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Hot and Humid</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Art</category><dc:date>2009-08-16T11:34:23+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f985594b24bae2bfb5ea54b7bac91dae-48.html#unique-entry-id-48</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f985594b24bae2bfb5ea54b7bac91dae-48.html#unique-entry-id-48</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It has been very hot with almost minnesota like humidity making gelato 


a daily instead of a weekly requirement.   Desmosedici opened this spring


on Via V.   Emanuele in Alba and has become our favorite!   Pictured is the 


young owner / entrepreneur Elisa Grimaldi.


The shop opens mid morning until 2:00 A.M.  only in  italy do we get 


bar rush in a Gelateria.


More than "32" flavors 


Looking across our table down the quaint streets of Bossolasco, where we


took part in our first outdoor art fair.   Robert was too busy watching the tractor- pull


to take more photos maybe next year.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A suprise find</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-08-05T14:25:38+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/2ce8593d8ffd65cb4f46cbf345c7d6a5-47.html#unique-entry-id-47</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/2ce8593d8ffd65cb4f46cbf345c7d6a5-47.html#unique-entry-id-47</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Showing off a few of our favorite wineries to some recent visitors,


shown here is moccagatta.    After this tasting we went to visit a winery 


very close to our home, after driving by it for 2 years let's check it out .....


We soon realized what we were missing.    We've had a few of their


wines over the years and always liked them but had never tasted through 


their full line wow!    The nose on the pinot noir smelled just like a  Willamette 


Valley pinot noir and tasted great.    They also make some very unique whites.


we are going to be learning more about Poderi Colla 


At dinner this past weekend we asked for some salt.   Great idea and 


presentation very cool!    (salt and pepper is rarely seen on tables here in 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>living in Italy</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-07-26T15:23:27+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/bffd4fa78d4057e42d44607b59951c43-46.html#unique-entry-id-46</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/bffd4fa78d4057e42d44607b59951c43-46.html#unique-entry-id-46</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sometimes Robert can't wait for the wine to be bottled.   So he grabs a 


glass and helps himself to some nebbiolo.


Our local "convenience " store just expanded there hours now we only have 


to remember the 3 days we can't get stuff after 12:30.    This is great, open 51 hours


per week, only 117 more hours and we will have our fist 24/7 store in Piemonte.


The only thing 24 hour in Italy is the cigarette vending


machines. 


This is the closest thing to coffee "to go" in Italy and is only done when 


working the bottling line.


When they say wood fired pizza they mean it !]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Guns of Barbaresco</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2009-07-15T11:19:36+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/43b4d2ab6ba3c8a51babd9f5c1d51fe2-45.html#unique-entry-id-45</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/43b4d2ab6ba3c8a51babd9f5c1d51fe2-45.html#unique-entry-id-45</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Even though it has been sunny every day for 2 months we do get a


few small and short storms rolling in.   That's when the Guns of Barbaresco


start shooting sound waves in to the sky with hopes of breaking up any 


hail or at least making it smaller they sound like a civil war canon


Hazel nut harvest is coming soon usually beginning in mid August


and ending just in time to start harvesting grapes 


Robert helping Lorenzo (from cantina Vigin) spray for weeds in the


Montersino vineyard


Most of the work in late july and early August is trimming the vines and 


spraying for Oidium (Powdery mildew) 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>No Gas  &#x26;&#x5e;&#x25;#&#x24;#@</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-07-09T19:27:56+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/51fc3a36c164f6c16b923f106b1b285a-44.html#unique-entry-id-44</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/51fc3a36c164f6c16b923f106b1b285a-44.html#unique-entry-id-44</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[All the gas station's went on strike and we didn't get the memo.


Our car was on empty so we biked to our friend's house in Neive 


for a pool day.


(above: Robert trying to get rid of his biker tan).


Our friend Richard cooks us a pool side bbq dinner.


Look's just like a midwest BBQ(bbq chicken with Chiaro's homemade 


sauce, sausage from our favorite butcher, and veggie kebabs).


New word of the week sciopero (strike)


The fist hardware store Robert biked to for a gas can was closed for


fiera (family holiday).    Finally found a gas can but the gas stations didn't 


open again for another 2 days!    We didn't know about the strike and were


stuck for 3 days(a mini summer vacation).
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The jungle is back</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2009-06-28T18:37:06+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/faf250e90a0a3740e2b25fc2cc3af8c7-43.html#unique-entry-id-43</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/faf250e90a0a3740e2b25fc2cc3af8c7-43.html#unique-entry-id-43</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Did you ever wonder how the rows of vines end up looking like the


 ones on the right side ?


This is how:  constant trimming.    We really think Silvio needs an ipod !


The trimmer is made up of three lawnmower blades on the side


 along with one on top.    Yet another cool O.S.H.A. tool


Robert helping  Davide bottle his 2007 Nebbiolo


This is as close to a minnesota T-storm we get here except they form in 


about 5 min. and are over in 15 min. then the sun comes back out ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Summer Time</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2009-06-22T20:10:50+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/50c8a0bff3a0e0cd44785d05b8d31186-42.html#unique-entry-id-42</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/50c8a0bff3a0e0cd44785d05b8d31186-42.html#unique-entry-id-42</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We are having great weather this spring, warm and not too much rain. 


These Nebbiolo grapes in the Starderi vineyard are growing fast


Happy 50th Lorenzo (end of table) Enjoying lunch with our friends and 


Neighbors the Viglino family


The Local election is over now all theses temporary billboards can go 


back in storage freeing up lost parking places.


A wine shop in Barolo thought photo copies of American wine reviews 


under a few bottles of Barolo is a great way to sell wine.   Who knew ??
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vineyard work</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-06-09T15:37:33+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b20f6eea5b3265bbf9d0a681570b0447-41.html#unique-entry-id-41</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b20f6eea5b3265bbf9d0a681570b0447-41.html#unique-entry-id-41</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Spring has quickly turned into summer, the vines are growing very fast


and are in constant need of training and leaf pulling.


Even Robert, he's helpping the neighbors Vigin in their nebbiolo vineyard


"Cru Montersino" next to our home (in the back ground) 


O.S.H.A. would have a field day here, however nobody seems to get hurt.


We spotted imported wine for the first time at the big super market in 


Alba but nothing worth buying, bummer we miss Oregon Pinot noir]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>JAZZ &#x26; La Morra Barolo</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-05-24T17:23:23+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7a30617f7963558f16396976d5005b15-40.html#unique-entry-id-40</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7a30617f7963558f16396976d5005b15-40.html#unique-entry-id-40</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Jazz is very popular here in Alba it's as if we've moved to Chicago except the


shows here are usually free, always outdoors and wine is everywhere.


If we don't show up at a tasting with puppy cotta we are not let in. 


Cotta greeting her friend Nicola who organized today's tasting of barolo's 


(2005) from the sub region La Morra.    Below are a few standouts from todays


 tasting (no special order)


AURELIO SETTIMO


I BASTIONI


STROPPIANA


There was only 720 bottles of IL LAURO made.   Very strong 


eucalyptus in the nose was catnip for Robert.


SAN BIAGIO also makes a Cru  Barbaresco from Montersino


the vineyard our home is in,  we're exited to try this wine soon.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sign&#x27;s of the times ?</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-05-19T17:17:43+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/390880ba772e9150446d4acd1d0f9982-39.html#unique-entry-id-39</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/390880ba772e9150446d4acd1d0f9982-39.html#unique-entry-id-39</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On via Maestra, the main shopping street in Alba, a new wine bar opened last 


week called GOLD, very upscale and flashy. (look for a full review in the future at 


our Alba Wine Bar page) Times must be good ?


Wow the first P.O.S. system we've seen in a bar in the area, the next thing you 


know they'll be getting that internet thing.


Ever thing you need to know about gold is on the back wall


However on the other side of Alba we saw this sign 


Times must be bad ?
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More Wine &#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-05-14T13:52:48+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/9bebf64b2e78d8c03f189453caf989c6-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/9bebf64b2e78d8c03f189453caf989c6-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[we went to a Barbaresco tasting this past monday comparing 


the 2005 and the 1999 vintage's of 20 or so different producers


all showed well but as to be expected the 99's were very charming.


some of our favorites below (no special order)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Word of the week</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-05-07T10:56:44+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d265f1417cf7875b08d9d69ce927bf91-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d265f1417cf7875b08d9d69ce927bf91-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Our vocabulary is one word stronger.   After a snowy winter and spring


rains there has been many FRANA (land slide) this spring.


Some are small


Others are not so small]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Barbara</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-05-04T11:38:18+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/049f125e4079f9a3fba999e4b22ebe16-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/049f125e4079f9a3fba999e4b22ebe16-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Summer is here so is the start of endless wine festivals.


Our first one this season was great,  3 euros gets you a glass and


there was lots of Barbera to try.


Taking a break from tasting Chiaro shows a producer her art work.


He invited us to tour his cantina later in the week.


The side streets are filled with venders selling cheese, art and even tractors.


10:00 in the morning and Chiaro has to wait in line for a taste of Barbera.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Books and Rain</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-04-26T09:13:32+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/6df7133aa0bbdf3ce964fc5c4dbf69c9-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/6df7133aa0bbdf3ce964fc5c4dbf69c9-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Lots and Lots of rain the last few weeks.    Inside the house it still feels 


...BRRRRR!   


The vines are growing like crazy, we hope we don't have 6 weeks of


rain like last spring.


j


We found a cool new book to keep us busy while we're


stuck in the house.     It's an Italian-English dictionary


only for wine and vineyards words.    More than 2,000 words


in the specialized dictionary.    We love it.


"From Vine to Wine" by Kenneth Crofutt & Belinda Ellender.


We treated ourselves to Robert's favorite kebabs in Alba a few days ago.


They also have good pizza.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New art show in Treiso</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Art</category><dc:date>2009-04-15T08:27:13+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7d59f9affa0bf97f70cfa3036e3afc3f-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7d59f9affa0bf97f70cfa3036e3afc3f-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This is a beautiful old church on the piazza in Treiso, it was restored 


last summer and made into a cultural center for the town of Treiso.


My art exhibit opened here last Saturday.  


The show is from April 11 to May 3, 2009


After getting the keys from the mayer of Treiso we started setting up our


spring art show by first taking down christmas decorations.


Even Cotta'  "helps


"Vineyard with Chickens"  most popular painting of the art show.


Who knew chickens were so popular????]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spring &#x21;&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2009-04-07T12:47:55+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7196fc5101de397f3284de5a1c62e3bd-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7196fc5101de397f3284de5a1c62e3bd-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bud Break has started here in Barbaresco, a sure sign of spring


The vineyard workers replacing post in the Roncglie vineyard just north 


of Pajore.   Due to all the rain/snow this past winter many vineyards have 


had mini landslide's and some vineyards have lost as much as 2 acres of


 vines in one slide 


She doesn't look like a frantic artist hurrying to complete a painting for her up


 coming show this weekend in Treiso
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Market Day</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-04-02T14:24:31+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b1377118f26cf8475678e248d60f8e87-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b1377118f26cf8475678e248d60f8e87-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Thanks to a tip from our friends at Hotel Castello di Sinio we found this great little 


imported food shop in the back of a large supermarket well hidden on a side 


street in the town of Bra.   Tonight we had our first pot stickers in over 2 years


and  they also have black beans, cilantro, real pickles, rice wine vinegar and hot chile sauce.


Our list of what we miss from the US keeps getting shorter.


Cotta meets new boyfriend " Otto " at the Bra market, he's two, Cotta just 


turned 1


At our regular espresso stop La Cantinetta on the Piazza Caduti in Bra we 


spotted this wifi sign.   Technology is arriving very slowly to Piemonte


(which is part of the charm of living here) 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title> Sign&#x27;s of Spring</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-03-20T11:14:47+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/9e03e4934641ef7931b949eedd25339d-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/9e03e4934641ef7931b949eedd25339d-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Outdoor dining has returned


Vineyard workers burning brush between the road and vine row's


Trimming the hazelnut grove's for next winter's fire wood 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bottling Ros&#xe9; outdoors&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-03-12T18:59:49+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b9009387c2dc0b77b0fd879e9a2fbe22-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b9009387c2dc0b77b0fd879e9a2fbe22-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This past monday we stopped by the Nada Giuseppe Winery to watch 


them bottle their ros&eacute;.    The equipment is a little more specialized ( for ros&eacute; )


so they are using a mobile bottling machine.    All of their other wines are


bottled in the winery.


This self contained bottler is delivered by a flat bed truck, then setup on the ground.


Barbara loading bottles with Valle Grande vineyards in the background


Nella and Giuseppe along with there grandson filling cages that are moved into


the winery for labeling at a later date.


Ros&eacute; from 100% Nebbiolo, just in time for spring!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Visit to Sciorio in Costigliole d&#x27;Asti</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category>Travel</category><dc:date>2009-03-04T09:49:48+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/fc92090ff050167b105dbeb169842668-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/fc92090ff050167b105dbeb169842668-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We first met Giuseppe last fall at Eataly in Torino.  

...white wines, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, in the wine shop for 


...We liked both of the Whites alot and bought some 


...Last Friday, we finally made it to the winery and got to taste 


...for many generations and is today run by Giuseppe and his family.


We first tried some tried some young Barbera d'Asti right from the Botte


...Giuseppe's wines are a great example of a  gem of winery, along with it's vineyards,


situated outside of the well known zones of Barbaresco and Barolo.


He pours alot of energy and unique ideas into varietals like 


...We have found that wineries outside of the Langhe,


when they get it right, like here at Sciorio, the wines are a 


...especially liked the Barbera d'Asti and the Monferrato Rosso(Syrah).


Sciorio does a private label for a restaurant in Portland, OR called


...A place we are sure to check out next time we are 


...which is a rare  find in the US.


The cellar is very beautiful and will definitely be on Leslie's list to paint
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Robert&#x27;s First Bike Ride of the Year</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-02-27T18:37:57+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/4e7143409587445839846487e026b035-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/4e7143409587445839846487e026b035-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Robert just made February for his first ride of the year.   

...year it was January 27, one month earlier.     This has been an unusually


cold,  long and snowy winter for the Langhe.     Nobody can remember


a winter like this.     Still mild for Minnesota standards but cold for here.


Today was 60 degrees F and sunny.     Lots of people out and about.


Treats from America


The longer you live as an expat, more and more "things" drop off your 


gotta get from the USA list(Robert barely thinks about White Castle


...However, the items that remain on the list become an even 


bigger obsession.    Our friend Cameron just returned from the States


with many treats for us!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Aperitivo &#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-02-23T15:44:22+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b4e9632bb8db3ee802d1039346ec9ebc-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b4e9632bb8db3ee802d1039346ec9ebc-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[What's an Aperitivo?    Here in Piemonte the word becomes a verb meaning


let's meet for a drink.    There are some noticeable differences from the American


version.  


In Italy it is always at a bar/cafe; these terms are interchangeable, hours are 


from about 5:30 to 8:00(so you have time to get home for dinner, they eat 


late here). 


The drink of choice is usually wine, here in Alba bubbles are very 


popular;  Champagne, Franciacorta, Prosecco or local sparkling wine. 


Food is always served with your drink order and is always


included in the price. 


The food is bite sized snacks whose quality can vary


 that you eat with a toothpick or your fingers. 


Very trendy bars will sometimes offer their  snacks buffet style on the counter. 


Here are some examples of the snacks "stuzzichini":
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Treats from France</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-02-08T15:07:08+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/db944389bc42ee4fcc1520e6a2a971e5-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/db944389bc42ee4fcc1520e6a2a971e5-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While Robert enjoys some great bubbles (and working very hard to compose


great photos) Chiaro along with our friends Weston and Elisa are cooking 


vegi curry.   They just returned from Burgundy with great treats to share: cheese,


mustard, and of course, wine.    It was all fabulous, especially the wine.


The REAL thing !!   another foodie moment 


Our fist time trying this producer Michel Lafarge this wine was a reminder 


that wines like this only come from a very small piece of real estate in the 


world.


Who say's you can't get ethnic food in Italy?    You just have to cook it yourself!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bulgarian Bubbles?</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-01-24T15:35:14+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/550f2c029f5e377133b34869331d29db-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/550f2c029f5e377133b34869331d29db-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[What can be more interesting than trying new bubbles


from off the radar wine regions.


Recently we tried a wine from Bulgaria.


...It appears to be vintage, the label says 2006, but we are not


clear on Bulgarian wine laws.


It was disgorged in September 2008.


We poured some and gave it a try.    Light salmon in color with a fine bead 


...We try a taste.    Very dry and crisp with


lots of cherries and fresh cranberries.    Balanced with a nice yeast component.


Fairly strong enjoyable yeasty finish.  

...A few days later we tried their rose made from Pinot Noir even though


it was a 2005 still showed lot of fruit.     Makes us want to try a current vintage. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Internet .......Finally </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2009-01-16T18:28:41+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/31154ed915600e9cecbb4b38afe00746-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/31154ed915600e9cecbb4b38afe00746-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After 1 year, 3 months and 13 days....we finally have internet at home,


but who's counting.  


Like the rest of the world, it's been a strange winter here too.


Lots of snow and colder than usual.    We've noticed that the locals 


deal with snow differently than Minnesotans.    They treat it more like 


...We found another new great wine at pizza night(didn't we just hear 


somewhere that Italians don't drink wine with pizzas?   that's totally untrue!)


Anyway, the wine was great and it was refreshing to drink outside of 


Piedmont(not that we don't love the wines).


Here's a link to the wine's website:


http://www.stmichael.it/uk/default.asp


Pizza night wouldn't be complete without Chiaro showing off the finer 


art of sciabolaing to an eager new student, this time, our friend Richard.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Christmas eve</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2008-12-26T18:20:18+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/51aae437e12664e037627f5160479bba-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/51aae437e12664e037627f5160479bba-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A new Christmas tradition, wine bar hopping(very different from bar 


hopping) in Alba.    What started out to be a easy going short evening  


because most of Alba closes at 9:00 on Christmas Eve changed after 


we saw a flyer for an outdoor concert...


Gospel in Alba ???   we decide to wait and see if it's good


Looks ok so we give it a try, but first we need to find an open bar of any


 kind to kill 45 min. till show time.


Complete success, the show was great!    Live Gospel in Alba, Italy,


 a little strange, however very cool and a cold 40 degrees we are losing our 


Minnesota blood: 40 is the new 5 below.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A GREAT FIND:  Casa della Torre</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2009-01-06T11:18:13+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/87b689d83ee9f8cbcccd79baa30243e8-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/87b689d83ee9f8cbcccd79baa30243e8-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You sure can't judge a wine bar by it's door.  

...by this place for years and finally gave it a try, once inside we found the 


perfect definition of a vineria (think wine bar mixed with coffee shop,


...The place is great and the staff very 


...It is located on a side street off the 


...the other wine bars we've been walking by a chance and do little "mini" reviews 


on all the wine bars in Alba(This could take awhile, there are ALOT of wine bars).


A back bar to be proud of with great stemware along with very serious 


...By definition a vineria is not a restaurant, however you wont go


...With every glass of wine you get a fancy plate of snacks, always delicious 


...The wine by the glass is unusual too,


most vinerias in the area only serve local wine, but this place always has some wine 


from someplace else, like Chile, Spain or other regions in Italy.


This is great because we go a little crazy drinking barbera and nebbbiolo


...Bubbles are the most popular aperitivo in Piedmont wine bars.  

...very much Prosecco but alot of Franciacorta, Champagne and of course, locally
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Very Big Day &#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2008-12-13T15:01:59+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/ac65a4ec9c17d5b6793fb924fdc66299-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/ac65a4ec9c17d5b6793fb924fdc66299-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After trying for 14 months chiaro get's her Carta d'Identita'!  


Robert is next but his will be much easier being married 


to one who already has one. 


Very cool


Puppy cotta inspecting her namesake wine, she thinks 2008 is 


going to be a great vintage!


Mont Viso looking good from the kitchen window, however our


 "pizza hut " looks cold and wants to be used.


 


We have had lots of snow so far this year.   But the temp's never


 drop's below frezzing so no ice fishing . looking north towards  barbaresco


 and the swiss alps from treiso ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>CHIARO&#x27;S HOME</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2008-11-28T17:30:40+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/c17783b472ae33a12078b35d0bf06f90-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/c17783b472ae33a12078b35d0bf06f90-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Chiaro (leslie) returns home to a very happy puppy cotta, Robert can


 now stop eating Ram&oacute;n.


First stop on way home from airport the market to refill the fridge.


WOW  Mortadella on sale only 8.90 per kilo. cut to order maybe next time.


Chiaro brings minnesota weather back with her, great !!!


Lorenzo the fantastic neighbor that he is plows us out first]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mexican &#x21;&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2008-11-16T17:40:16+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7b70c4364d815ee91cf61cdc6b55b604-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/7b70c4364d815ee91cf61cdc6b55b604-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Very rare in piemonte an ethnic restaurant i wouldn't travel from the states


to eat here but when you live here a nice change of pace


We are often asked what the drinking age is in Italy.   Don't know but this 


sign was on the door of the restaurant above.   Not just forbidden but 


strictly forbidden. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Truffle Fair</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2008-11-13T17:05:42+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d8657d40bfec0594f953b8dd9d380de7-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d8657d40bfec0594f953b8dd9d380de7-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The last day of the world famous truffle fair in alba this years "best"


of show sold for 24,000 wow now that would be a big bag of stink!!!


Just out side the fair venders were selling both white and black truffles


from 30 to 80 Euros 


No they are not all the same.   The signs give details on location, altitude,


flat or hilly ,aging 


Amazing the differences from wheel to wheel ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fog and Rain</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2008-11-04T10:55:47+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d4d07c1f1b210bcc99168417fd67eb1f-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d4d07c1f1b210bcc99168417fd67eb1f-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It's been very,very fogy and rainy almost seems planned.   Step 1.


finish harvest.   Step 2. rain like hell for 2 maybe 3 weeks.


good time to try a new varietal how about 


PELAVERGA PICCOLO anyone ?   Tasted like dolcetto


mixed with gamay not fantastic but a very serviceable 


BBQ  wine only a small amount makes it to the states 


( the hunt is part of the fun right ?) ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Crush at cantina Nada</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Harvest</category><dc:date>2008-10-12T09:21:15+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/e219d21445b779bf85019e9631825569-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/e219d21445b779bf85019e9631825569-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Not every grape makes the cut as vicki from cantina NADA trims a few


grapes that will be left for the birds.   Here in Barbaresco and Barolo


producers do most of there sorting table work in the vineyard


Family time at cantina Nada.   From vine to plastic "mini" hoppers.


From the mini hoppers to a tractor mounted hopper.


From the hopper to a tractor pulled trailer.


From the trailer into the destemmer / crusher.


Enrico over seeing the crush. stems out the back.   Skins,seeds,pulp


and juice into the hose to the fermentation tank then in no time at all 


( almost 3 years ) Barbaresco at a wine shop near you.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>winter work</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2008-11-10T14:42:25+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f5217d588910e36633efafe6292ee0dd-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/f5217d588910e36633efafe6292ee0dd-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A sure sign of winter, the pruning / cutting back of the vines after harvest 


hard work that will last through jan. / feb.


Yet another reason we love living here even our garden has a


great view just past these vineyards is the southern boundary  of the


 barbaresco zone


Looking towards Treiso over the Ca' del Baio cantina (winery) in the


Valgrande valley  which encompasses the vineyards Marcarini on the right


 side, Valgrande on the left and Giacosa behind the winery  
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bugs in wine </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2008-10-20T15:15:20+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/ae4ea7fe89965e4775b12128828d7aba-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/ae4ea7fe89965e4775b12128828d7aba-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Nearing the end of our 2nd harvest.   I finally get the joke producers (wine makers)


tell about why vegetarians shouldn't drink wine.


This nebbiolo is getting a little extra air during it's pump over.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>fall in full swing</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2008-10-23T19:50:55+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d0ab921a356b652c5c415e36f2eed7dd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d0ab921a356b652c5c415e36f2eed7dd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Harvest is finished in Barbaresco.   Barolo should be done next week


Wow two of our favorite's in the same photo wine and biking !!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fall tours/Harvest</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Tours</category><dc:date>2008-10-10T08:25:59+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b0a41236cee2c4e4493ff0bbbf532da2-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b0a41236cee2c4e4493ff0bbbf532da2-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Harvesting nebbiolo behind our home.   Producers in both Barolo and Barbaresco


are VERY exited about nebbiolo this year, looks very promising !!!


This is why so many people travel to Alba in the fall.


The famous white truffle of the langhe


It's always nice to have an American visitor show Italian winemakers how to 


properly  sciabola a bottle of champagne.


Daniele Panino!!!


Trying salsiccia di bra (raw sausge) for the first time yum !!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Meeting new friends</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Harvest</category><dc:date>2008-09-19T10:08:52+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/2737d186fc0b74e4915759398562ec2e-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/2737d186fc0b74e4915759398562ec2e-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Touring the cellar of NADA GIUSEPPE Robert is talking with Enrico Nada and


his girl friend Vicky.    Enrico shares the wine making responsibilities with his 


father Giuseppe.


Not many barriques here, they use mostly botte (large casks) as they are


a traditional producer.


A wonderful family run winery we've been driving and biking by for years


great to finally meet the family and check out the cantina.


A few magnums are set aside each year to be hand painted by Enrico's


sister Barbara.


You can be sure of a new friendship in the Langhe when mamma gives you


a jar of her homemade CUGNA'.


Chiaro (Leslie) helping out neigbors and friends, Vigin finish up there moscato 


harvest before the rain arrives, her face doesn't show how tense the air is when


trying to beat the rain. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>IT&#x27;S HERE &#x21;&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Harvest</category><dc:date>2008-09-09T09:54:05+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/5aa0d9813dac48c27f8298a771897343-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/5aa0d9813dac48c27f8298a771897343-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Harvest has begun here in the Barbaresco region, first up Moscato ( Lorenzo and Davide,


 father and son picking Moscato) Next in line, Favorita, Chardonnay then Dolcetto.


Taken from our kitchen balcony these grapes are headed to Cinzano, a giant 


producer just outside the town of Alba.


Enjoying some birthday bubbles with puppy Cotta at Profumodivino, a fabulous new


 restaurant in Treiso (no web site yet will keep you posted)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Touring new wine region</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Bubbles</category><dc:date>2008-09-04T10:17:43+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b46f0cc70cb31c87500c3c52f861a667-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/b46f0cc70cb31c87500c3c52f861a667-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On tuesday we travelled to  CALUSO a small town north/west of torino to


visit a wine region called ERBAUCE DI CALUSO well known for producing


crisp,acidic,dry whites and fantastic sparklers all made from the local 


varietal ERBALUCE also a few reds from nebbiolo,barbara and local varietal


NERRETTO.   The passito sweet wines are a must try !!   Above is the barrel 


ROOM of the CIECK winery where they age there passito for 3 years.


Robert learning how to "Riddle" what fun!


Inspecting dead yeast cells in a bottle of aging sparkling rose yum!!


The full line of CIECK wines


Back home for a BBQ with the langa style boys and a few local


 restauranteurs a fun way to sell wine.


Chiaro with her bubble friend milena the other half of LA GANGHIJA 


wines]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Harvest</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2008-08-25T22:01:17+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/221e6528017fa5beecb6291035ada6e8-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/221e6528017fa5beecb6291035ada6e8-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              


SILVIO HARVESTING HAZEL NUTS WITH GIANT VACUM


                                                                                                                                                                    


 FIRST STEP OF A THREE PART CLEANING PROCESS


 PHOTO TAKEN FROM ARE LIVING ROOM BALCONY


                                                                                                                                                                                                


 TRYING NEW PLACES FOR ARE FALL TOURS YUM YUM!


                                                                                    


  COTTA APPROVES TOO!


             


THIS CREAMY YET CRISP ?   WHITE WINE FROM THE CARSO D.O.C.


OF THE FRIULI / VENEZIA REGION IS MADE FROM THE VARIETAL 


VITOVSKA I KNOW A HOUSEHOLD NAME FOR MOST OF US.   THE WINERY


IS NEAR THE SLOVENIAN BORDER HENCE THE NAME.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>summer time party&#x27;s</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2008-08-18T16:47:54+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/93a5bc34aa57bf1d864b998f96fb083a-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/93a5bc34aa57bf1d864b998f96fb083a-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Party for 400 in the center of barbaresco


Setting up table for 140 at Pertinace


Enjoying some 0f tomy's great cooking]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fall is just around the corner </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2008-08-20T15:51:10+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d799b76cb75285ef38fa767cf401df73-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/d799b76cb75285ef38fa767cf401df73-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[  


 


Veraison (grape ripening) has begun in the vineyard behind our home, harvest will be here soon


Very  happy to hack our iphone !!!   works great wow email at home what a great idea


                ( Wine - Mustella)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Start of our New Blog&#x2c; Living Langhe</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Travel</category><dc:date>2008-08-15T11:28:49+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/a354765f0a74dd650d39975e4a8cb7fd-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/Blog/files/a354765f0a74dd650d39975e4a8cb7fd-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[  


 Enjoying dinner in radda in chianti,near siena the night before we pick up cotta 


A very happy chiaro with her new puppy cotta]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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