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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>2013-04-18T12:21:49+02:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:47:16 +0200</lastBuildDate><item><title>Osteria Barolando</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2013-04-18T12:21:49+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/61a1c797bd8a73b60f90601d7c932633-159.html#unique-entry-id-159</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/61a1c797bd8a73b60f90601d7c932633-159.html#unique-entry-id-159</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We went to the village of Barolo yesterday to update our photos of Osteria Barolando, a new entry in our travel app, Piedmont Wine Food and More&hellip;.     Owner Lidia and her daughter Francesca are great hosts with a growing, well chosen wine list, prime location in the centre of the village along with great home made local food.  


We were lucky to catch the chef cutting the "hand cut tajarin" the classic pasta of the Langhe


Tajarin with Ragu


Robert's favorite, Vitello Tonnato, made withOUT mayonnaise 


If you're in Barolo stop by grab a table outside and have a great meal or aperitivo while watching all the comings and goings in the centre of town
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bud Break 2013 &#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category>Spring</category><dc:date>2013-04-16T06:35:10+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/97a721489f8f75c79d78e6b96231f698-158.html#unique-entry-id-158</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/97a721489f8f75c79d78e6b96231f698-158.html#unique-entry-id-158</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On Sunday (the 14th of April) sap was flowing from almost every vine in Neive


A little speck of sun 


Then on Monday, the moment everyone is waiting for, the official start of spring "bud break"


With all the rain and now temp's in the mid 70's ( 23 C.) the cover crops between the rows of vines is growing fast]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>After 4 Bottles of&#x2026;..</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Photography</category><dc:date>2013-04-06T11:25:27+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/abe94ff1b9290b352992f2fbdde355ac-157.html#unique-entry-id-157</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/abe94ff1b9290b352992f2fbdde355ac-157.html#unique-entry-id-157</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spring is here&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Spring</category><dc:date>2013-04-02T13:06:23+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6a0b02167134dd495dcb4b39a195004f-156.html#unique-entry-id-156</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6a0b02167134dd495dcb4b39a195004f-156.html#unique-entry-id-156</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Spring 2013 has begun.    The fruit trees are starting to flower and the buds on the hazelnuts trees are almost ready to pop.


Cott&agrave; is back on her princess balcony with the newly planted Primuli flowers enjoying the sun after a long winter.


The restaurants and wine bars have all been busy planting their flower pots in time for Easter.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bottling Wine</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2013-02-25T18:45:50+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b14ea713cdab7e12faa378467e5abc35-155.html#unique-entry-id-155</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b14ea713cdab7e12faa378467e5abc35-155.html#unique-entry-id-155</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A lot of bottling is done in February throughout the wine region.   Leslie is helping Ornella bottle her Rose, Chardonnay and Dolcetto.   To speed up the process Ornella brings in a mobile bottling rig.   At 1500 to 2000 Thousand bottles per hour once everything is set up things can be a little hectic but the day sure goes by fast, The bottles are loaded into cages that hold about 450 bottles then back into the winery for the next step labelling.


Four bottles at a time it's amazing how fast you go through a pallet of bottles which hold about 1300 bottles.


With the lights of Neive in the background the last bottles are loaded at 8:30 after almost 15,000 bottles of wine the job is done.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Montpellier France</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Travel</category><dc:date>2013-02-17T08:49:08+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/cdc20d0e1d178eabac6d8076a5397a39-154.html#unique-entry-id-154</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/cdc20d0e1d178eabac6d8076a5397a39-154.html#unique-entry-id-154</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The main square in Montpellier even in February theres lots of activity


Their people mover in action, a great way to get around this town of 255,000.


Apparently 50&deg; clears out the square after dinner


Lots to see in this town made for walkers


Wouldn't be France with out a Triumphal arch 


Wow the Saint Cl&eacute;ment Aqueduct built in the 18th century.


We fell in love with a new wine region (new to us) thanks to our friend bill who along with his wife escaped from Minnesota to southern France.


Bill knows the area well making it very easy to find good producers and their wines.


Robert showing off his new 400mm lens.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Birthday in Provence &#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Travel</category><dc:date>2013-02-12T07:57:56+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/a6e0e12ccb2de023f0535472e83631c9-153.html#unique-entry-id-153</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/a6e0e12ccb2de023f0535472e83631c9-153.html#unique-entry-id-153</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Robert likes to spend his birthday in new places this year it's Montpellier France on the way stopped for a couple of days in Menton France just over the border from Italy.


The best view of town is from the old cemetery on top of the hill over looking every thing, not a bad resting place.


Aperitivo on the shore, perfect for a February birthday


Leslie found a great spice shop at the daily market more curry!!!!


Found the smallest, cutest, coolest wine bar on the way to dinner.


Really no photo-shop on this sunrise.


As we were leaving the town was setting up for their annual lemon festival.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Finally a little snow</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>langhe</category><dc:date>2013-01-27T10:55:15+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/dcfdf50431b20d7d9ad0e2d9f4063edb-152.html#unique-entry-id-152</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/dcfdf50431b20d7d9ad0e2d9f4063edb-152.html#unique-entry-id-152</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We finally received some snow only about 2 to 3 inches but enough to to brighten up the vineyards.   Taken from just inside the wall around our village of Neive.


Taken from vineyard Curra looking west over the tower of Barbaresco.


However after only a few days the snow is melting fast exposing the best vineyards for example Barbaresco on the right and Dolcetto/Barbara on the left.


Snow is very good for the vineyards because it melts slowly into the clay soil rather than running off quickly during a rain shower therefore building up reserves for the long hot summers.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Selling wine in Amsterdam</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine Tastings</category><dc:date>2013-01-23T16:16:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/ec3566c6951e00be32e3e2d0742563b6-151.html#unique-entry-id-151</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/ec3566c6951e00be32e3e2d0742563b6-151.html#unique-entry-id-151</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With cold and snowy weather it is  a great time to be indoors pouring wine, so it is off to Amsterdam for a trade tasting for distributors, wine shops and restaurants.


Leslie behind the Pasquale Pelissero stand talking with Stefan from Braida.


Turn out was good for the event which had wines from around the world.    We miss tasting different varietals.    In Piedmont it is hard to find wine that is not "Piemontese" so this was a treat.


One of the perks of the trade is swapping wine with other reps after the event is over we nabbed a German Riesling, Argentina Malbec, South African Chenin Blanc and a Spanish Garnacha Blanca.


In The Netherlands, snow doesn't seem to slow down the bikes.    This picture was taken in the centre of Leiden.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Winter Photos</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>langhe</category><dc:date>2013-01-08T09:11:32+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/4c5f6d242eb7fa4c5a07d2025920c0bc-150.html#unique-entry-id-150</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/4c5f6d242eb7fa4c5a07d2025920c0bc-150.html#unique-entry-id-150</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Taken from Neive looking towards the tower of Barbaresco with Monviso on the left


Zoomed in the village Guarene can be seen on the upper left across the Tanaro River below.


From vineyard Bordini looking south towards the ligurian Alps.


Same place as the above shot but with a slight turn to the east to catch the village of Neive.


Taken from our 2nd floor balcony looking west over vineyard San Giuliano.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy New year&#x21; Auguri&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Neive</category><dc:date>2012-12-31T11:47:53+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/de5cdb62e4c2d64196d514296f4183b0-149.html#unique-entry-id-149</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/de5cdb62e4c2d64196d514296f4183b0-149.html#unique-entry-id-149</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Without snow, which is not guaranteed every year, our landscape here in the Langhe never goes  completely gray.    This cover crop in vineyard Gallina is trying hard to stay green.


A HUGE bonus of the lack of snow is the extra long truffle season which lasts until the first hard snow.     This truffle was found by our friend Lorenzino on Christmas morning.    A lot more truffles are being found lately, the price has dropped a lot.    This truffle is currently worth about 300&euro;, a month or two ago this would have cost two to three times more.  


The Christmas season would not be complete without playing Tombola (bingo).   Leslie won twice so two bags of raw sausage for us.    This is the tradition in Treiso every Christmas Eve before midnight mass.    Lots of Dolcetto, peanuts and clementines to keep us going.  


With the holiday almost over we can start to catch up on  web site work, here Robert in his studio is taking photos of bottles for a client's web site.


With Neive in the background, vineyard bricco San Giuliano is waiting for snow.    Many producers are taking advantage of the lack of snow and getting an early start on the winter pruning "potatura", see photo below.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Christmas in Torino</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Torino</category><dc:date>2012-12-10T13:48:53+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/77b2119c824b4ff3d189282c02523c89-148.html#unique-entry-id-148</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/77b2119c824b4ff3d189282c02523c89-148.html#unique-entry-id-148</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Setting up for outdoor concerts in the very big Piazza San Carlo.


Setting up the ice rink in Piazza Carlo Alberto.


We think these lights are a nod to the olympic runners.    Every street has a different theme for lights, below is christmas trees.


Shoppers on Via Lagrange, Torino has been packed with shoppers and very festive.


Lots of street entertainers in Piazza Castello and a big advent calendar.


What a cute couple.


As the temp drops, the mountains are out most of the time during the winter.    This was taken from the top of the Mole Antinella.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Winter in Langhe</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>langhe</category><dc:date>2012-12-01T13:36:06+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0b5a3e5754c103310cc332a2cc18b109-147.html#unique-entry-id-147</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0b5a3e5754c103310cc332a2cc18b109-147.html#unique-entry-id-147</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As the last of the fall colors fade away, we are getting ready for winter.


Step one, fill up the garage with wood for the our wood stove "stuffa".


Step two, install new stuffa that we can also cook on.    Great for braising, soups and stocks.


Step three, show off new stuffa.


Puppy Cotta' is very happy with the new stuffa.    She spends most of the winter in front of it.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fall Colors in the Langhe</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2012-11-02T08:09:45+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/cf54e4ac340dde47ad72f2b4a7cb0caa-146.html#unique-entry-id-146</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/cf54e4ac340dde47ad72f2b4a7cb0caa-146.html#unique-entry-id-146</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Alba White Truffle Fair 2012</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Truffles </category><category>Alba </category><dc:date>2012-10-08T19:03:12+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0b436ff708d6db035920950cd1370707-145.html#unique-entry-id-145</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0b436ff708d6db035920950cd1370707-145.html#unique-entry-id-145</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Fiera del Tartufo di Alba, October 6 through November 18, 2012, every Saturday and Sunday


Truffle Fair 2012 is starting off with few truffles and high prices due to lack of rain this spring and  summer.     We are hoping for better truffles in November and December after some much needed rain in September.


During the fair there are also many people selling high quality dried porcini mushrooms.


Our friend Primo Montaldo, selling his famous cured pork filets and salami.


During the fair one can taste a variety of local wine and taste truffles over traditional dishes like this one, truffles shaved over fried eggs.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Kind Words from Manhattan</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2012-09-20T14:08:08+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/292616a833bde72343adc69e1d2a9054-144.html#unique-entry-id-144</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/292616a833bde72343adc69e1d2a9054-144.html#unique-entry-id-144</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This past spring Preethi and her husband Joe went on a tour with us, they had some very kind words on Preethi's blog "The Skinny On Manhattan"
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Our first guest blogger &#x21;&#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2012-09-13T13:32:40+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/51dd2abe45dd518d2e0c85151b7d7010-143.html#unique-entry-id-143</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/51dd2abe45dd518d2e0c85151b7d7010-143.html#unique-entry-id-143</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Valerie Quintanilla has gone from being a repeat costumer to a friend.   Being a travel writer we thought she would be the perfect person to be a guest blogger on our  blog. when asked she (along with her incredible energy) jumped at the chance.   Check out her travels at traveling the world according to me mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


...Okay, let&rsquo;s get the pleasantries out of the way.   Last year my cooking pal and I did a heel to toe Italy tour, driving south to north. ...  Little did we know the beautiful world had something extra special in store for us, which I like to call Robert, Leslie and Cotta Alexander. 


I promised I&rsquo;d be back a year later to spend about a week on the chalky soils.   Oh, and I made good on my word.  


Robert and Leslie set me up at an adorable little B&B in their Barbaresco town of Neive, Dimora San Sabastiano. ...  I was off with Robert for a wine tour at Barolo&rsquo;s Giovanni Rosso&nbsp;in the village of Serralunga.   We picked up two others from the US, Drew and Jamie from DC and made our way thru the hills. 


We arrived at the winery and a British chap, Evan, greeted us with promises of a vineyard tour.   That morning we spent a couple hours hitting most of the winery&rsquo;s vineyards.   It was my first time in Piemonte&rsquo;s grape trenches. ...  We hiked around, scouted out the vines &ndash; young and old alike.   Then, headed back to the winery to taste (not drink, Evan set me straight on that. 

...We hung out in the barrel room for about two hours tasting right from the barrel. ...  Can&rsquo;t wait to go back and get the Vigna Rionda Barolo wine when it&rsquo;s bottled.


Read more of my travels and adventures (the best WITH Robert and Leslie  Alexander) in the coming months here and on my blog. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2012 Harvest has started&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2012-08-20T17:07:10+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/24c787ebd868e2ee6179856b397674c6-142.html#unique-entry-id-142</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/24c787ebd868e2ee6179856b397674c6-142.html#unique-entry-id-142</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The first grapes of 2012 are starting to be picked, these are pinot noir for a local sparkling wine.


It's a very steep vineyard in Valdivilla.


It has been seriously hot and humid here which makes harvesting extra hard.    Everyone is waiting for a thunderstorm to clear the air.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ferragosto</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Italian Life</category><dc:date>2012-08-15T07:46:16+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6343edc4d7e90296c0ca5bdce6b429e6-141.html#unique-entry-id-141</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6343edc4d7e90296c0ca5bdce6b429e6-141.html#unique-entry-id-141</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Even though there are many shops and restaurants that are closed one can find plenty to do on italy's BIGGEST holiday Ferragosto


This is what most Italian families do find the one restaurant that is open and make reservations for 10, 20 or more then spend the day with family and friends over a very long lunch 3 to 4 hours or head south to the sea.


Last week Leslie was in Minnesota this was the first foodie sign she came across on her lay over in Reykjavik Iceland Hmmmmmm&hellip;.


While Leslie was away Robert was very busy relaxing on the water front just beyond the village of Baveno on Lago Maggiore on his way to pick up customers in Verbania.


Alway last but not least Nebbiolo the flag ship grape varietal of Langhe is a little bit ahead of schedule this year.   This bunch is almost done with its verasion as of Aug 15th.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Seasonal rhythms</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2012-08-01T18:57:33+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/5a3443825bd89f587c43621b04a530d6-140.html#unique-entry-id-140</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/5a3443825bd89f587c43621b04a530d6-140.html#unique-entry-id-140</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As the vine trimming season draws to a close, and green harvest is mostly done, most of the vineyard work shifts to the winery to prepare for harvest


 


At 8:00 in the morning the humidity was higher than the temp this means we are going to have a very sticky day


The best way to beat the heat is to grab some bubbles a chef knife and a friend with a ready glass for sciabola.  


It's only the end of July but these Dolcetto grapes are telling us harvest is just around the corner.    Some wineries say they may be starting harvest mid August.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Baby Bollicine (New Sparkling Wine In Neive)</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Bubbles</category><dc:date>2012-07-16T13:47:32+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/212e8f1730327fc5535e763a15a6728b-139.html#unique-entry-id-139</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/212e8f1730327fc5535e763a15a6728b-139.html#unique-entry-id-139</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ornella of Pelissero Pasquale is preparing to bottled her first sparkling Brut Rose 2011, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.   The first step is to build a starter by adding yeast to a few liters of the still wine.


The wine with the added yeast is then blended into the remaining wine with a little aeration to help along the next fermentation process.


During the bottling the tank of wine is stirred constantly to keep the added yeast in suspension, causing the wine to be very cloudy


To aid in the disgorgement (2 years from now) plastic plugs are added before the temporary metal bottle caps are placed


Leslie using a mallet to help ease in the plugs.


The last step before aging is the installing of the metal caps with a pneumatic press.


placing the bottles in cages before remuage starts.


It's resting place for the next 2 plus years. with a bottle from midway and one from the end of bottling, both fitted with presser gages to track over time how the wine is fermenting (again) on its journey to become sparkling wine, method de champenoise.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Too Much Hot (Troppo Caldo)</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-06-29T09:29:52+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/e22d2f5aacf07261ad9c35e09b247ca4-138.html#unique-entry-id-138</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/e22d2f5aacf07261ad9c35e09b247ca4-138.html#unique-entry-id-138</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[At 8am its already 80 with tons of water in the air, this June has been extremely warm and humid, more like August weather.


To stay cool one must eat lots and lots of Gelati!    It's a good thing there are many places to find good gelato, there's even gelato trucks.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Guess Where We Ate Last Saturday????</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2012-06-02T20:44:51+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/05496ddefe397702e55c4410a8a25f31-137.html#unique-entry-id-137</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/05496ddefe397702e55c4410a8a25f31-137.html#unique-entry-id-137</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Our Piedmont Travel App is now available on Itunes&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Blog</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-04-22T12:12:30+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/cb527e607b218f7fc65c90faeca0b4c0-136.html#unique-entry-id-136</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/cb527e607b218f7fc65c90faeca0b4c0-136.html#unique-entry-id-136</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Our new IPhone/IPad App is now available on Itunes!


Buy it today for your upcoming trip to Piedmont


Sutro Media


&ldquo;Piedmont Food, Wine and more&hellip;&rdquo;


for your IPhone or IPad


www.travellanghe.com


 


A travel guide for the wine and food lover traveling in Piedmont.


This is an inapp purchase of Sutro Media


                                                          
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vinitaly 2012</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category> Wine Tastings</category><dc:date>2012-04-02T12:53:21+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/00b15e348db9f02151a8051f7ff982e9-135.html#unique-entry-id-135</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/00b15e348db9f02151a8051f7ff982e9-135.html#unique-entry-id-135</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Vinitaly in Verona is the world's largest wine fair, made up of many buildings referred to as "pads", with the bigger wine regions having their own building like Sicily(above photo).


Living in Piedmont we tried to spend as much time as possible in other regions tasting different wine.


High on our list of other regions was Franciacorta, tasting and finding new bubbles.


Our friend Ornella joined us in our hunt for new bubbles.


Inside and out, the media was everywhere, taking photos and shooting videos.


Vinitaly is not just for wine buyers, it is also for the winemakers looking for new equipment for making wine.


Here is a booth selling corks.


Plastic harvest tubs and everything else you could imagine is there on display.


Most winemakers need barrels, pick your forest, size and toast.


After having gone to Puglia this spring, we didn't feel too bad about not having enough time to taste some Puglia wines.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spring </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Spring</category><dc:date>2012-03-24T15:43:54+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6788c8d1aedabf777f6d60df7c750e31-134.html#unique-entry-id-134</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6788c8d1aedabf777f6d60df7c750e31-134.html#unique-entry-id-134</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With the Tanaro River in the background, we were enjoying a glass of wine at Boffa winery while they were working in there vineyard repairing poles.


In the Bricco San Giuliano vineyard of Pasquale Pelissero here in Neive,  bud break is full speed ahead on these nebbiolo vines.    It is the beginning of Barbaresco Bricco San Giuliano 2012.


With all this spring going on around us,  it's time to move our daily aperitivo outside.   Robert is sitting outside at Al Nido della Cinciallegra with Cotta' and her friend Daisy


.


The fruit trees are starting to bloom.    The landscape is spotted with shades of pink and white blossoms.


Above is the first curry club meeting with our English friends of 2012.    We love the cuisine of Piedmont, but we need an occasional break of something ethic or different.    This time it is Indian but no beer this time only local white wines.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>UNESCO</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Tower of Barbaresco</category><dc:date>2012-03-16T15:00:26+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/709f0fd63b3b47500a638e5591f550c8-133.html#unique-entry-id-133</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/709f0fd63b3b47500a638e5591f550c8-133.html#unique-entry-id-133</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While touring the village of Barbaresco we were very lucky to stumble upon the UNESCO committee who are studying the Langhe sub-region of Piemonte for possibly adding the area to this well known list of cultural and natural sites throughout the world.   The lucky part was our friend (who must remain name less) was helping with the group and had keys to the elevator, after countless trips to this famous tower we finely got to ride up to the cat walk and see the inside while still under renovation, a big treat for us. 


One of our bragging rights photos


On the cat walk looking north over the Tanaro River that separates the Roero wine region on the left side from the Barbaresco region on the right side.   In a year or so when the inside elevator is complete this will be even more of a must see attraction in the area.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Getting ready for spring</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Spring</category><dc:date>2012-03-05T07:20:57+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/72cedf216b8a19415ba5bc16ee992146-132.html#unique-entry-id-132</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/72cedf216b8a19415ba5bc16ee992146-132.html#unique-entry-id-132</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As spring approaches we are hurrying to finish as many of our winter work/projects as possible.   Robert  has been shooting a ton of photos (in his new studio) for new website clients along with updating bottle shots for existing winery sites.   Leslie has completed two more original paintings that have been ship to far corners of the world.


A sure sign of spring for us is when equipment vendors start showing up at our local Wednesday market.    The growers hang out for a few hours chatting about which tractor or accessory is best for a particular job.


From chainsaws, cover crop movers (the grass between the row of vines) to articulated tractors, it all is displayed at markets around the region where as most of these vendors don't have a retail showroom.


On a completely different subject, at a recent tasting with clients we came across our first sighting of a screw cap closer in the Barbaresco zone.   It should be noted that by DOCG regulations only very high quality extra long natural cork is allowed to be used on Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello , etc.


Here the Albino Rocca winery is using them for there stainless steel aged Barbera and there white wines.   We feel this is a change in the right direction. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Gallina Vineyard Barbaresco</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>vineyard</category><dc:date>2012-02-23T07:47:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/744f8bdab6a09f19c4e3eebeeb814483-131.html#unique-entry-id-131</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/744f8bdab6a09f19c4e3eebeeb814483-131.html#unique-entry-id-131</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The cold snap we and the rest of Europe have been stuck in is finally letting up with temps in the 50's.   With Monviso and the tower of Barbaresco in the background, the snow is melting fast in Gallina, a well known vineyard on the west side of Neive.


With the vineyards drying out these growers are taking advantage of the warm weather to catch up on their winter pruning.   From a distance it looks like a nice way to enjoy the spring temps.


However, this is very tedious and hard work.     It's a very long game of tug of war, all while being very carful not to harm the single remaining cane that will provide this years fruit.   The trimmings are left between the rows to be mulched in place by a tractor for compost.


Hard to believe this was just 4 days ago.


More vines that need pruning.    This photo of our village, Neive, was taken from Coazzolo, an even smaller village just to our east.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cold Snap Brrrrrr</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><category> Winter </category><dc:date>2012-02-07T16:07:15+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/88ea27d15247709bbadbd218836b1b0f-130.html#unique-entry-id-130</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/88ea27d15247709bbadbd218836b1b0f-130.html#unique-entry-id-130</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After 40 years in Minnesota this is no big deal for us, after all the coldest morning was Tuesday February 7 at 10 degess F.     That would be a warm day in a Minnesota winter, but around here things sure do slow down.    We haven't needed our car for over a week so why bother shoveling it out, besides we don't even own a snow shovel ( a requirement for Robert to live anywhere).


The talk all over town was of these new "things" hanging off of roofs and balconies.    We were asked at market this morning if we had seen them before! 


By the end of the weekend the snow should be gone from the palm tree across the street from our house and all will be back to normal again.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Snowstorm in Barbaresco&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><category>Winter </category><dc:date>2012-01-31T16:42:37+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/fda8438dcdd0c7a1b1de5d43cce62f2f-129.html#unique-entry-id-129</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/fda8438dcdd0c7a1b1de5d43cce62f2f-129.html#unique-entry-id-129</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Sunday we got 16 inches of heavy wet snow.    Up until now it has been an unusually mild winter.    Monday school was closed and most people stayed home from work.    Now it's Tuesday and snowing again.


Our neighbor trying to get his car out on Monday.


We will never get used to seeing umbrellas used for snow, though it's the norm here.


View of Neive from Bricco San Giuliano.    The snow is very good for the vines as the water melts slowly into the ground compared to rain which runs off too quickly to be absorbed deeply into the soil.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Puglia</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2012-01-21T16:53:34+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/bfa58590b66ad53f015bef535f8d7c57-128.html#unique-entry-id-128</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/bfa58590b66ad53f015bef535f8d7c57-128.html#unique-entry-id-128</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This January we finally made it to Puglia in the south of Italy.    It was a completely different Italy than we have known to date.    Puglia has a big Greek influence and many different landscapes to choose from.    The photo above is the village of Peschici on the Promontorio Gargano in Northern Puglia.   To see more photos of our trip check this out.


While we were there we had to check out some wineries.    This is the Alberto Longo winery in Lucera, just north of  Foggia.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vineyard Class</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-12-30T17:06:02+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b5b815967e162a3d26263a7af08d805a-127.html#unique-entry-id-127</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b5b815967e162a3d26263a7af08d805a-127.html#unique-entry-id-127</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Today we met up with our wine friend, Matteo, to vist a new Barolo producer, Simone Scaletta, (first vintage 2002) and learn a little bit more about vineyard work.    Before going into the vineyards, we tasted the wines with Simone.    He uses small barriques for most of his wines, but only a small percent new, he has a very light touch with the wood component.    We liked the all his wines very much, they have character and so do the labels.


With the village of Novello on the horizon, we head into Simone's nebbiolo vineyard.    It's only 2 days to January, but the sun was warm as we walked through his vineyards.  


Lesson 1, pest control for the vines, plastic "houses" are placed in the vineyard to catalog possible problem bugs, mostly looking for signs of the insect Tignola, which it's larvi eats the insides of the vines, leaving them with dangerous holes or rotten inside.     Thankfully, this isn't a big problem in his vineyards, but his is only being careful and watching for them.


We're glad we are not the folks who "get" to survey all the yummy goodies caught in the trap .


While explaining his winter pruning routine, Simone answered an old question of ours.    The question was, why is it the next step after pruning and pulling out/down all the old vines, that the work of bending over and tying off the one remaining shoot for the upcoming year is always done in crappy weather?    We learned that with the bad, foggy weather comes high humidity that allows the vine to be bent with a lot less chance of breaking.    If  it does break,  that vine will not produce fruit in the coming year.   He explained the if 1 or 2 breaks when bending, he stops and waits for more humid weather which makes the vines more pliable.  


Everyone had a great time, but Cotta had the most fun of all of us running through the vineyard.     We need to find some weinie boots to help with the mud caked paws!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cotta&#x27;s First Truffe Hunt</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Truffles </category><dc:date>2011-11-17T14:58:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/009235fcfcf166f6fd925004e106db75-126.html#unique-entry-id-126</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/009235fcfcf166f6fd925004e106db75-126.html#unique-entry-id-126</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Cotta', our little daschund, has a good nose and wanted to try out truffle hunting.  


These are photos from her first hunt with Marco Varaldo and his truffle dog, Rocky.


She was only watching and helping this day, but Marco thinks she could learn with a few months of training.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stars are Falling&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2011-12-08T11:39:26+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/36ce67dfc689485967c80e11ee8585ed-125.html#unique-entry-id-125</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/36ce67dfc689485967c80e11ee8585ed-125.html#unique-entry-id-125</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The local restaurant scene is very happy with the well known dining guide "Guida Michelin" which just released it's list for 2012.    We can now boast 15 stared restaurants in Langhe & Roero.


Alba is full of stars now that all the christmas lights are up and on.    The streets of Alba are very pretty and festive at Christmas time.


If headed for Alba to see the lights, dress warm, Alba is always colder in the winter than the small hilltop villages.


"Better a real focaccia than a fake beard&hellip;."]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Christmas in Langhe</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>festivals</category><category>Winter </category><dc:date>2011-12-12T10:12:26+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/45044782d096bbe65c3e3201440efcee-124.html#unique-entry-id-124</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/45044782d096bbe65c3e3201440efcee-124.html#unique-entry-id-124</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Christmas markets "Mercati di Natale" are happening in all the medieval hilltop villages throughout the Langhe, our town Neive's was this last Sunday.


Our town/city hall was open (rare on a Sunday in Italy) for a nativity art show in the council chambers.  


The local take on making christmas wreaths is to use the pruning from grape vines.


It's not a Christmas market without some animals!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Truffle Hunting with Marco Varaldo</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><category>Truffles </category><dc:date>2011-11-14T14:25:51+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/22aefc0e16413651a6057e78f630ae05-123.html#unique-entry-id-123</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/22aefc0e16413651a6057e78f630ae05-123.html#unique-entry-id-123</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last Saturday we had a great truffle hunt with Marco Varaldo in La Morra, Barolo.     We were out hunting with one of his best truffle dogs, Deena.    Deena is 8 years old and a truffle hunting pro.    Due to a dry summer and fall, the truffle quantities have been lower than usual, but Deena found us a fairly big, aromatic white truffle and 4 nice black summer truffles.


Deena doesn't work for free, she gets rewarded with treats when she finds a truffle.  


...Here are the truffles we found.


During the hunt, Marco explained to us all about the truffles of the Langhe,  all the essential information of how, where and why the truffles grow.    For example, what trees they grow under, how the weather affects them, hunting during the day vs. night, how the dogs are trained, the roots under a truffle and the little spores that become next year's truffles and much more.    He is very passionate about truffles and happy to share his knowledge and experiences.    His knowledge has been passed down from over 3 generation of truffle hunters.


Here, on our way back to town, Marco is explaining the work in the vineyards, when we encounter Agostino (below), the owner of Bosco Agostino, a winery in La Morra.    He is out working in his vineyard doing the winter pruning.    The farmers are expecting a lot of snow this year so they are trying to get an early start on the winter pruning.   He was very charming and funny but we are not sure exactly what he said since he was talking in deep "Piedmontese" dialect.


Below, the village of La Morra in Barolo.


...tel +39 335 58 00143


marco.varaldo@yahoo.it


...comfortable clothing and shoes recommended


Upon request, a tasting in the field is available.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Barbera il Gusto del Territorio</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category>Tastings</category><dc:date>2011-11-09T12:26:02+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0a5e6e087ea20164977dacfd2118b9b3-122.html#unique-entry-id-122</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0a5e6e087ea20164977dacfd2118b9b3-122.html#unique-entry-id-122</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last week was the annual Barbera tasting in Costigliole d'Asti.    We decided to go on the "Trade Day" which was Monday, which we always prefer for a couple of reasons.    It' s normally less crowded, self service and it's fun to taste with other restauranteurs and winemakers.


We went together with our friend Ornella, owner-winemaker of Pelissero Pasquale in Neive.    For us it was a great opportunity to taste 100+ Barberas with a winemaker who grew up with these wines and compare her thoughts to ours.


Also at the tasting was our friend Sebastiano, owner of La Crota, a restaurant and wine shop in Calosso AT.


After tasting all the Barbera we wanted to, we realized there was a grappa tasting in the next room.    More alcohol, just what we needed!


    


Different shades of grappa.


Some of our favorites from the tasting were Elio Perrone Mongovone Barbera d'Asit, Sciorio Barbera d'Asti Riserva II, Cascina Garintina Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza and Stella Barbera d'Asti Bricco Fubine and many more but too many to name!


One last taste!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vinoteca Centro Storico in Serralunga d&#x27;Alba</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><dc:date>2011-10-20T14:49:00+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/df10e7b9ea3c3cbafa6da495b7b077f4-121.html#unique-entry-id-121</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/df10e7b9ea3c3cbafa6da495b7b077f4-121.html#unique-entry-id-121</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Here in the Langhe, there is nobody as passionate about bubbles, mainly champagne, as Alessio, owner of Vinoteca in Serralunga d'Alba.    His wine bar, caff&egrave;, wine shop and restaurant sports the best list of bubbles in the area.  


One may come here for sparkling wine, however you will stay for the great food and of course the Nebbiolo.    His list of Barolos and Barbarescos is well thought out, along with an interesting selection of desert wines.    Alessio is very knowledgable in the wines of Piemonte and is happy to explain the region's wines.


Alessio does all of this in a small but efficient space that is very comfortable, the walls are adorned with black and white photos and wine maps of the area.    Menu is small and changes daily, we have always been happy with the choices and have eaten very well here at a good price.  


Don't forget about aperitivo time, Alessio has a great selection of salumi and cheeses.


Reservations recommended as it is small and fills up fast.


Vinoteca Centro Storico


Via Roma 6


...+39 017 361 3203


vinotecaserralunga@tiscali.it


...10am to 11pm


Alessio pouring a blind tasting for some of his customers.    A fun way to taste wine.


The best Eggplant Parmigiano "Melanzane Parmigiana" we have eaten to date!


Homade Hazelnut souffl&eacute; with Zabione.    A great way to end a meal.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Big Bucks for Truffles</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><category>festivals</category><dc:date>2011-10-29T13:48:14+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/422498b9a645927f3ce25d5f62e4ed45-120.html#unique-entry-id-120</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/422498b9a645927f3ce25d5f62e4ed45-120.html#unique-entry-id-120</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After many months of no rain, the first weekend of November has been hit hard with heavy rain and flooding.   Unfortunately, the rain came too late to help with the truffle season.    This year the famous Alba white truffles are down in numbers and expensive.


Even though it hasn't been the best year for truffles, one can still choose from many different truffle hunters and a variety of sizes.


Inside the Truffle Fair, the smell of truffles is almost overwhelming.    How do you know the truffle you're considering is aromatic or not when the smell of truffles is penetrating the fair?


This year, on account of the very dry summer, the price of the famous white Alba truffle has increased due to short supply, however, quality seems to be good. 


950 Euros is a lot of cash for something that has a shelf life of 7 days or less.  


Before or after buying truffles, you can have your purchase judged for quality by experts in the center of the fair.  


In addition to truffles, there are tons of other food stuffs to taste and buy, pasta, truffle oil and honey, salami, cheese, hazelnut cakes, chocolates, wine and much more.


If breathing in the truffle air gets you hungry!    No problem, you can buy pasta, eggs or carne cruda with ample shavings of truffles, of course!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cheese 2011</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><category>Cheese</category><dc:date>2011-09-19T14:53:00+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b6fe62da3a108112cfd1428ab172592d-119.html#unique-entry-id-119</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b6fe62da3a108112cfd1428ab172592d-119.html#unique-entry-id-119</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We made it to Cheese 2011 on Monday, the last day.    We started in the Great Hall of Cheese tasting some white wine from Veneto and of course some cheese.  


We found the Neal's Yard Booth and bought some great cheddar cheese, something we can't easily find in Piedmont and miss.


It wasn't as crowded on Monday, which we preferred.    Everyone said it was packed on the weekend.


Raelin, Leslie & Robin next to a big blue Slowfood snail!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>First Truffles of 2011</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>foodie</category><category>Truffles </category><dc:date>2011-09-13T19:21:13+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/36498a5a93de84f88cddff1f0429ce02-118.html#unique-entry-id-118</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/36498a5a93de84f88cddff1f0429ce02-118.html#unique-entry-id-118</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On a recent walking tour of Alba we came across the first white truffles of the season at Tartufi & Co.    These are on there way to a few of the local restaurants, so far it looks to be a good year for truffles with all the rain we had in the spring.


As harvest ramps up the roads are full of tractors carrying grapes to the wineries, Moscato anyone??


The other day while working at the  computer we heard a sound and thought could it be?   Sure enough,  there were two horses tied up to our garage door below our kitchen balcony.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Harvest 2011</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category>Harvest</category><dc:date>2011-08-15T16:18:55+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/1206ccaab3babaf05f0d3175dc2e91bc-117.html#unique-entry-id-117</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/1206ccaab3babaf05f0d3175dc2e91bc-117.html#unique-entry-id-117</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Our friend Fabrizio from Francone (a local winery here in Neive) called last Tuesday to tell us they were harvesting chardonnay for their spumante (sparkling) wine this Thursday August 11th.    Most grapes used in sparkling wines are picked before they are completely matured in order to have higher acidity, an important factor in guality sparkling wine production.   Robert met up with the crew at 7:30am to photograph the journey that grapes take to start the process of becoming wine.   The crew of eight, working in pairs of two, were able to pick all the grapes by 6:30pm in this vineyard of just under 2 acres ( .75 ha ).


With clean harvest tubs the picking begins.   Clean tubs are important because the grapes are not washed before pressing.   Everything in the tubs gets pressed with the grapes.


Fabrizio and his wife are careful not to look down the row as to be reminded of the back breaking job in front of them.


Once full the tubs weigh about 55lb (25 kilos).


When a row is completed the tubs are loaded onto a sled pulled by a tractor. here driven by Fabrizio's brother Marco.


The grapes are brought to the crush pad at the winery where they are loaded into a pump which sends them over to the press.


After pressing, the grapes macerate for about 30 minutes, then the fresh juice without skins, pits and stalks is pumped to a large stainless steel tank to begin fermenting into wine.


Before dinner all the tubs must be cleaned with this power washer.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Sky is Falling</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-08-07T17:56:16+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/1ff873a98338db9680b35607ec49cacf-116.html#unique-entry-id-116</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/1ff873a98338db9680b35607ec49cacf-116.html#unique-entry-id-116</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Or maybe it's just Hazelnuts, they are "easy" to harvest because they simply fall to the ground when  ready to be picked up by hand or vacuumed up with giant tractor mounted machines, this small family farm is taking advantage of the hot and dry weather to dry and pre roast there on the drive way


The second and last green harvest is almost finished.   Wen a person firsts sees this it's very shocking looks like wine vandals,this is done to concentrate the vines energy into the remaining grape bunches and is always a sign of a quality producer.


In about 30 days the remaining fruit on these nebbiolo vines will start there 2 &frac12; year journey to become Barbaresco.


We are nearing the end of our "closed" season, this sign was on the local convenience  store however this year more shops are open than last year, which is good because we are having a busy Aug with travel customers.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Calm before the Storm</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-07-30T13:53:08+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/508d4816f9ae9578b5780ad83c85681e-115.html#unique-entry-id-115</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/508d4816f9ae9578b5780ad83c85681e-115.html#unique-entry-id-115</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This time of year can seem very calm and quite for visitors here in Langhe, but behind the cellar doors, wine makers are getting ready for harvest.   We are taking advantage of this short lull to catch up on our "to do list" such as a new family photo in our new home in Neive (only a year late).


These cages are waiting outside the Fontanabianca winery, soon to be filled with just bottled wine, freeing up yet another vasca (stainless steel tank), for the wine looming on the vines in the background. 


This Dolcetto vine has already started veraison and is only  3 to 4 weeks until harvest.


However, this Franco Rocca Nebbiolo vineyard, with the tower of Barbaresco in the background, still has a long way to go, 6 to 8 weeks until harvest .]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Toscana</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-07-11T09:35:20+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b327114b1b3af9abe743b7a9a8c5cd97-114.html#unique-entry-id-114</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b327114b1b3af9abe743b7a9a8c5cd97-114.html#unique-entry-id-114</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We spent a few days in Tuscany in Montalcino.    It was very different from Piedmont,


 with lots of brown countryside, olive trees, cypress trees and sangiovese.   


This is Enoteca La Fortezza, the regional wine shop for Montalcino inside an old fortress.    Here you can get a map of Montalcino wineries, find many choices of Brunello by the glass, half glass or taste and a great place to buy wine.    Seating inside and outside and for a small fee you we walk around the top of the fortress to get a better view of the city and surrounding area.


At the Montalcino market, we found Porchetta, whole roasted pig!


The olives trees had baby olives starting to grow and mature.    We tasted and found some great olive oil to bring back to Piedmont.


We visited the Brunello producer, Mocali, located just south of the village of Montalcino.    We tasted 13 wines plus their biological olive oil.


There was bruschetta on almost every menu, here we are having lunch at Alle Logge di Piazza in the center of Montalcino.    We drink a lot of rose wine during the day because it was very hot out.    Rose made from sangiovese grapes.   Tasty!    We also drank our fair share of sangiovese, Rosso di Montalcino and of course, Brunello di Montalcino.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Green Harvest</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><category>Summer</category><dc:date>2011-07-04T07:36:07+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/7b943f411ed77b6ad14a6839ed6cae1d-113.html#unique-entry-id-113</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/7b943f411ed77b6ad14a6839ed6cae1d-113.html#unique-entry-id-113</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Green harvest is under way here in the Langhe.    This is the process of thinning the fruit on the vines


which in turn forces the plants energy into the remaining grape bunches, thereby increasing the concentration


of flavor and color.    As one can see it get's its name from all the pre-ripened fruit laying on the ground


composting.


 


There is not much english written or spoken here in the Langhe, However once in awhile we come across 


something funny such as this sign on a bar in the middle of wine country.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What a Party&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-06-28T20:24:26+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/48ab4245c02d0ff6e2ffc64f07342e45-112.html#unique-entry-id-112</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/48ab4245c02d0ff6e2ffc64f07342e45-112.html#unique-entry-id-112</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last night was the annual summer party at Dante Rivetti, a winery in Neive, Barbaresco.    Lots of wine, food, live music and fun fo those lucky enough to be on the invite list.    The Rivetti family put on a great party.


Leslie and our friend Primo of First's Filet, speciality cured pork filets and salame. 


As usual  at Piedmont parties, the people watching is great.


Party wouldn't be complete without live music, the local band played both kinds of music, country and western.


First stop wine, then we grabbed a plate of mixed cheese and salumi.


Then we found the appetizer table, which later in the night turned into risotto and gnocchi, everything was delicious.


Dante Rivetti greeting friends.


Colored lights were the last thing we saw while leaving, no idea how long the party went on.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Jungle is Back</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Neive</category><category>Summer</category><dc:date>2011-06-05T12:24:29+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/efb40731fb24482f36da2aaca6e7add1-111.html#unique-entry-id-111</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/efb40731fb24482f36da2aaca6e7add1-111.html#unique-entry-id-111</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Looking north on the road from Neive to Barbaresco the vines are growing fast.


This looks like a blast from the past, but is a classroom in are village of Neive.    Nice too see that there are still classrooms that focus on the basics without distraction.


From our kitchen balcony we are able to keep tabs on the weekly festivals.    Maybe we should start a photo blog called


Italy as seen from the Alexanders Kitchen....
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Residenza del Lago</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-06-10T11:54:14+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/13f6fdc13e90ab47e153e8e34aefcde8-110.html#unique-entry-id-110</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/13f6fdc13e90ab47e153e8e34aefcde8-110.html#unique-entry-id-110</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Residenza del Lago, we were recommended this restaurant while recently visiting the Cieck winery in Canavese.   Our lunch was excellent!


It doesn't look like much from the street, but as you enter you walk into paradise through a lovely flower garden that takes you to the restaurant and hotel.


Frederico, the owner, greeted us and showed us to our table. &nbsp;  He is a sommelier and very passionate about food and wine. &nbsp;  This was confirmed by the over 400 bottle, well chosen, fair priced, winelist.


We started with a gift from the chef of little crostini topped with a tuna pat&egrave;, followed by 3 types of delicious homemade bread; nut, sun-dried tomato and olive. &nbsp;


We chose the smaller tasting menu of Tajarin con Coniglio e Sugo di Pepperoni Pasta with a Red Bell Pepper and Rabbit sauce followed by Cosciotto di Maile con Senape e Miele con Spinaci e Patate al Forno&nbsp;Ham with a Mustard and Honey sauce with Braised Spinach and Roasted Potatoes.


Don't forget to save room for their desserts!


Everything we tasted was fresh, seasonal and made in house.


Just a half hour north of Torino in the Canavese wine region, this is a perfect place for a few quiet, relaxing days near Lago di Candia Lake Candia, which is a few minutes drive from the hotel.


The rooms are beautiful with arched red brick ceilings, nicely restored while keeping the style and feeling of an ancient Canavese farm house.


Tajarin with Rabbit and Pepper Sauce


Perfect Pork


Even the bread was homemade


Huge wine list
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Nizza &#xe8; Barbera</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><category>Wine Tastings</category><dc:date>2011-05-10T12:00:37+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/fa73eec108c7afc95852c6ca1dd22df2-109.html#unique-entry-id-109</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/fa73eec108c7afc95852c6ca1dd22df2-109.html#unique-entry-id-109</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Barbera Festivals aren't new to us but this was our first time in Nizza Monferrato.    A very well planned event with lots of new labels of Barbera for us to try and no surprise that we found some new favorites.


The tasting was of Barbera made in and nearby Nizza Monferrato.    A great way to taste many new wines or current vintages for a small entrance fee of 5 euros that includes the glass.    We met up with our friend, Adrian, who lives nearby and had a fun day of tasting.     The festival was throughout the city with many food vendors, specialty products and lots of live music on almost every corner.    We have already marked our calendar for next year!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>That was fun but ......</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-06-02T07:48:20+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b129b9cb17f27bd2843bad567c5d673c-108.html#unique-entry-id-108</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b129b9cb17f27bd2843bad567c5d673c-108.html#unique-entry-id-108</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We are back, The mother board and video card died on Robert's computer but thanks to Apple who covered the costs the great folks at Pixel Assistenza in Torino all is well again ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Never a Dull Moment</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-04-25T12:42:07+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/9ed3047bd697da80fafde71a7be416c6-107.html#unique-entry-id-107</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/9ed3047bd697da80fafde71a7be416c6-107.html#unique-entry-id-107</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Our little village of Neive is getting ready to be overrun/taken by the Alpini of Langa.    Our local chapter 


is busy stringing banners and hanging flags up all over town.   Neive was chosen to host the annual reunion for chapters from all over the Langhe. 


No festival, here in the Langhe, would be complete without the local chapter of 10th Alpini Regiment &ldquo;Alpini Veci&rdquo;.    These are former members of the elite mountain corps.


Main street was closed for a parade, each town was represented in the parade wearing their


retirement uniforms.


Even the current active local unit showed up to remind folks what these old guys were capable in


their hay-day.


As you can see the weather was perfect, warm and sunny.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Birrificio Trunasse</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-04-15T17:57:19+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/da76e4042454134bffb4bb3c37b76193-106.html#unique-entry-id-106</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/da76e4042454134bffb4bb3c37b76193-106.html#unique-entry-id-106</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ok, it's not wine, but we found a really cool brewery between Fossano and Cuneo in Piedmont.     We were driving to Cuneo to pick up our new "Permesso di Soggiorni" and saw the brewery.     On the way home we stopped to check it out.    What we found was two brothers, one in the bar/dining room and one in the kitchen and great artisanal beer and food!


After spying on the food coming out of the kitchen (which everything looked yummy) we decided to order a hamburger.    To date, we haven't found too many good burgers here and we were very skeptical.    What we found was one of the best burgers we have eaten in Italy or America.     We started chatting with the owners and found out all the meat is very high end "Piemontese" beef from La Granda in Savigliano CN.    The other items on the menu include antipasti of artisanal cheese and salumi, salads, steaks and french fries.


On the chalkboard was advertising for a single malt scotch tasting in April.    If you live nearby or traveling through the neighborhood, we definitely recommend this place.    Open Weekdays 6pm to 2am and Weekends 5pm to 1am.


www.birrificiotrunasse.it


Reg.   Pedaggio Sottano, 194


Centallo (Frazione San Biagio) CN 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It&#x27;s warming up &#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Neive</category><dc:date>2011-03-22T19:54:38+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/2563fcbb46862d8b666b4764f423c453-105.html#unique-entry-id-105</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/2563fcbb46862d8b666b4764f423c453-105.html#unique-entry-id-105</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The warmer it gets there are more vegetables available for Chiaro to choose from at our local Neive market every Wednesday. 


Soon the famous Roero strawberries from Canale will be in season.


With the warmer temps puppy Cotta's balcony, just off the kitchen, is open for the season along with the first


flowers "Primuli" of the season.


On March 17 Italy celebrated it's sesquicentennial, so in the true Italian spirit the local police along with the


carabinieri (State police) were showing some of the local medal winning wines at the weekly market.  


As americans we were curious how big or small of a celebration this would be.   Turns out up here in 


Piemonte not a lot of fuss.    We saw a few flags but no local parades, however there was a lot going on in 


Torino (45 min. from here).    Most Italians, as we do, think of the Italian culture as very old.    Most of our 


village and home was built before 1280, so the idea of throwing a giant party for its 150th unification


anniversary seems a little over blown.     They (Italians) didn't even get a bridge holiday, so it was back to


school and work on friday.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2011 Travel Season Begins</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Tours</category><dc:date>2011-03-13T07:50:06+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b7134e601dbabb77f667ed25352cb32f-104.html#unique-entry-id-104</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b7134e601dbabb77f667ed25352cb32f-104.html#unique-entry-id-104</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The 2011 travel season has begun, our first group arrived on the 11th of March and we were very worried.


Just a few days earlier it had snowed, but we lucked out as the weather cleared up just in time. 


Leslie is explaining vineyard management to a few folks from the group.


After a few days in Barbaresco and Barolo we headed up to Lake Como and stayed in Bellagio, which was just 


opening up for the season.    Hard to believe these quiet streets will be jam-packed in a few weeks, by mid April


this photo will be impossible.


While Leslie and the group took the ferry to Varenna for lunch, I stayed back to gas up the van and check-


out a pizzeria we have yet to try, verdict: pizza was good, wine list not good, wine service cute/good, the


vino popolare (house wine) was served old-style in a Brocca.


I grabbed a cappuccino at the gas station and once again was reminded how serious Italy takes its coffee.


After dropping folks off at Malpensa airport, we stopped by the wine region Franciacorta to scope out some wineries 


and restaurants for future trips when we stumbled on a cool wine shop specializing in bubbles!   the sub zones 


with-in the region were nicely displayed along with the producers.    Sipping bubbles while shopping is mandatory, 


wiener dog optional.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Getting to Know our New Neighbors</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-02-28T19:02:31+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/a3bfb57dc76e569482a50f245f6855aa-103.html#unique-entry-id-103</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/a3bfb57dc76e569482a50f245f6855aa-103.html#unique-entry-id-103</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just across the piazza and down the street from us is Longoria, yet another winery with in crawling distance from our home.


We hade a wonderful time meeting Carlo, along with his wife. who showed us around the property.


The wines all showed well but it was a bit to cold in the tasting room, as a result, the reds were a little closed so we all 


decided to come back when the weather warms up.   Since we are neighbors, no problem to stop back later in spring!


Gabrielle............ working on winter pruning, he's 84 and still works 6 days a week.


The new clone of Barbera (cross between Barbera and a palm tree) is showing up in a few vineyards here in 


the Langhe,  expect tropical fruit on the nose!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Signs of Spring</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2011-02-19T12:34:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/c6c62be050e972fd609aaec6132dabfd-102.html#unique-entry-id-102</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/c6c62be050e972fd609aaec6132dabfd-102.html#unique-entry-id-102</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The vines like sunshine, therefore every spring the trees and brush that grow between the vineyard and the street are cut 


down.    What is not saved for wood heating is burned off next to the road (almost on the road).    Chiaro, the firebug, loves


lighting fires, this year she taught our friend Lorenzo what girl scout water is, benzina (diesel).


Roberts first ride of 2011 was only  6 weeks since his last ride, almost makes winter bearable.   Snow on north facing


vineyards is almost gone.


First BBQ on the balcony, not bad weather for feb.   10


And the strongest sign is that the vineyards are full of growers working there vines.


The streets of Neive alto are clean and dry, waiting for the much needed crush of tourists.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Neive Get&#x27;s a New Wine Bar</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Neive</category><dc:date>2011-02-11T14:55:57+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/8440a3cd3d613a545251e31c82b0e561-101.html#unique-entry-id-101</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/8440a3cd3d613a545251e31c82b0e561-101.html#unique-entry-id-101</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just up the street from us is Hotel Castelbourg, which has a resturant / wine bar around back called Degusto and has recently


reopened under new ownership.    Great wine list paired with a menu of well chosen local &ldquo;Piemontese&rdquo; specialties, plus, 


always important, a nice spread on the bar at aperitivo time.


The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with Andrea or his sister Alessia always right there to get you your drink of choice or seat


you at a table in the arched, brick dining room for lunch or dinner.    We can&rsquo;t wait for spring to sit outside, looking over the piazza. 


Andrea on the far right is the new owner, Massimo the chef in the middle and on the left is Danielle, Andrea&rsquo;s cousin, who 


has helped his cousins to get the place open and given lots of support during the first week.


Being sommeliers we are very excited about the wine list.    Andrea has a strong wine background working in italy and around the 


world in the wine trade.    There are a lot of our local favorites and he&rsquo;s not afraid to think outside the zone (the Barbaresco zone), 


we even spotted a Gruner Veltliner in the wine cooler along with a Timorasso from Gavi.


Leslie is displaying one of her paintings, &ldquo;Ciabot in La Morra&rdquo; in the display window of the wine bar.


Later in the spring we will post an update of Degusto&rsquo;s  coolest outdoor dining/wine drinking deck in Neive along with a few food shot&rsquo;s.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Best Vineyard Sites</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-02-05T11:03:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/43ec496fdc2dddb56fa2e97f10d99445-100.html#unique-entry-id-100</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/43ec496fdc2dddb56fa2e97f10d99445-100.html#unique-entry-id-100</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We just had our second snow this winter and its almost all gone .   Snow melt patterns were used here hundreds of years ago to 


find the warmest microclimates on a given hillside.    This area is saved for producers top Nebbiolo, usually their Barbaresco or 


Barolo.    Above is the sweet spot in Cru Montersino.


Just to the east of Barbaresco, all the prime spots are snow free.   In the foreground is Cru Gallina, one of the top vineyards


in the Neive sub-zone of the barbaresco region.   In the distance to the right of the tower of Barbaresco is Cru Montefico


one of our personal favorites in the Barbaresco sub-zone in the Barbaresco region (wow doesn&rsquo;t that roll off the tongue nicely)


Stumbled across this chart in USA Today.    We find this a funny because pasta is never a main course.   Here in Langhe, 


pasta is served as a primi (starter course) and always a small amount hmm... must be because pasta is eaten every day


as a primi for lunch and dinner.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Winemakers Love Snow</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-01-31T13:02:28+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/4a93509a22f342fc87a1a123a4888565-99.html#unique-entry-id-99</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/4a93509a22f342fc87a1a123a4888565-99.html#unique-entry-id-99</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After a very dry winter so far, we awoke to 12 +&rdquo; of snow Sunday morning.   Local kids were using the street next to our 


house as a sliding hil,l good thing it&rsquo;s a one way coming down


Growing up in Minnesota we are used to seeing lots of snow removal equipment, however, after 3 years here


we have never seen a city/county snow plow.    All the streets are cleared by local growers (farmers) with there


own tractors, theses guy&rsquo;s do a great job.    Above is  Giulio from Fattoria San Giuliano, a winery just down the


street from us.


Snow can be a big pain in the butt in hilltop towns with narrow streets with nowhere to put all the snow.


However, snow is very good for the grapevines.   With all the hills here in the Langhe, rain turns into run off 


very quickly whereas snow melts slowly allowing it to seep into the soil slowly.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More Barbaresco</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-01-21T14:33:26+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b6fb5da17b42ebcf789af6f765f6d99f-98.html#unique-entry-id-98</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b6fb5da17b42ebcf789af6f765f6d99f-98.html#unique-entry-id-98</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When we first moved to &ldquo;cru Montersino&rdquo; just outside of Treiso, we were very 


curious as to why there were hazelnut trees and not vines in a small section of 


...To us, this spot seemed like a great place for nebbiolo, which grown here 


...After 18 months of wondering, in March of 2009 we woke up to chainsaws


...Striped clean we soon learned after talking to the locals that Cru Montersino in 


...The first big step is digging up all the old tree roots.  

...investment that goes into such a project, keeping in mind the first bottle of


...released as Nebbiolo d&rsquo;Alba, that means the first bottle of Barbaresco can


be up to 8 years away or longer after starting this project


Irrigation is not allowed in Italy therefor the next step is digging hundreds


 of feet of trenching used for distributing and removing rain water


We lost count at 15 of how many of these rigid pipes were installed along 


...The trenches were from 4 to 8 feet deep (very OSHA approved working conditions)


...After back filling the soil was turned over followed by final grading


...The poles are pushed in to the ground one at a time, a very slow and tedious Job.


...After 7 months it is starting to look like a vineyard, although one without vines


...After planting, all that is exposed is a few inches of wax covered vine


Now that the trees have been replaced by a new vineyard, Cru Montersino


...We will let you all know when we try our first wine from this new vineyard.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Two years of my Grapevine</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-01-08T15:55:19+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/e15499e3da58e521b657d2c0c72b8320-97.html#unique-entry-id-97</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/e15499e3da58e521b657d2c0c72b8320-97.html#unique-entry-id-97</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Two years of Moscato in Barbaresco


Robert has been taking photo&rsquo;s of the same Moscato Grapevine


every two weeks for 3 years at our old place in Treiso.   He&rsquo;s now


going to find  a Nebbiolo vine near our new home in Neive


If you want to see a bigger version click here]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vineyard Prunning </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2011-01-05T17:27:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/7cd26e91060c14256c5551531dd4ebe9-96.html#unique-entry-id-96</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/7cd26e91060c14256c5551531dd4ebe9-96.html#unique-entry-id-96</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s the time of the year when the growers are thankful for the lack of snow, which can make winter pruning a 


lot more difficult, with temps in the high 30&rsquo;s to low 40&rsquo;s, one would think gloves and an heavier jacket would be needed.


 


This is very labor intensive work, always done by hand, after pruning, a game of tug-o-war is &ldquo;played to remove


all the vine material then it is laid in the center of the rows to be mulched up by tractors.


Meanwhile, back at the cantina, winter means time to rack wine.   This means transfering all the wine in barrels to large s.s. tanks 


then taking the barrels outside for steam cleaning after which the barrel stacks are rebuilt and refilled with wine, not bad 


work on a sunny day here at the Fontanabianca winery in Neive.    A great view of our new town in the background, Neive alto.


However this work can be miserable when your cold and wet and without any sunshine to warm you up.


If you are a shop keeper rather than a winemaker, you just close up shop for a few weeks and go south


to warm up.   We have turned into weather wimps, back in Minnesota we would be very hapy with lows 


of 30 and high&rsquo;s in the 40&rsquo;s, but now we are freezing in these temperatures and all bundled up like it 


minus 20 F.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Visit to Bera in Neviglie</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-12-27T16:55:19+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/105310dda471c831f110bbcc7788b9a3-95.html#unique-entry-id-95</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/105310dda471c831f110bbcc7788b9a3-95.html#unique-entry-id-95</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On a quest to find more good Alta Langa Sparkling wines we recently visited Bera in Neviglie.  


We tried all the wines that were available and we&rsquo;re very happy with what we found.


They have a full line of wines all done very well.  


The Bera Brut Alta Langa was one of the best Alta Langa Spumante we have tried so far.    It is a good representation of the Alta Langa DOC.


Made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown above 400 meters to meet the requirements of the DOC along with being made &ldquo;metodo classico&rdquo; (meaning made like Champagne with a second fermentation in the bottle)


The wine was crisp, yeasty, toasty bread notes and the perfect dryness for our tastes.


The red wines were all of good quality consisting of Dolcetto, La Lena Barbera d&rsquo;Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Sassito Langhe Rosso and 


Barbaresco.    Our favorite red was the Sassito Langhe Rosso, made from a blend of 70% Barbera, 20% Nebbiolo and 10% Merlot with 4 years aging, two of them being in wood.    Tasty!


Lastly, we finished the tasting with a Moscato Passito &ldquo;Nuovo Messagio&rdquo;.     We don&rsquo;t drink a lot of Passito but this one really hit the spot.


Rich and spicy, not at all syrupy or cloying.    We were tempted to drink the whole bottle!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Merry Christmas and Happy New Year&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-12-24T16:46:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/c44be68a33841cb902fa2e698894a112-94.html#unique-entry-id-94</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/c44be68a33841cb902fa2e698894a112-94.html#unique-entry-id-94</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Robert, Leslie and Cotta&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Christmas in Neive</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Neive</category><dc:date>2010-12-13T16:45:18+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/37c98e85bf9b739fdf066af5f05a4480-93.html#unique-entry-id-93</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/37c98e85bf9b739fdf066af5f05a4480-93.html#unique-entry-id-93</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Neive (where we moved to this past July) had it&rsquo;s anual mercatino di Natale and of course the new local artist,


Leslie Alexander, set up shop to sell her new work


No festival here in the Langhe, would be complete without the local chapter of 10th Alpini Regiment &ldquo;Alpini Veci&rdquo;.


These are former members of the elite mountain corps.    Although they see themselves as on &ldquo;leave&rdquo; rather than retired veterans.    They are always ready to serve up some grappa, wine, vin brule and roasted chestnuts.


FYI - Formed in 1872, they are the oldest active mountain infantry in the world.


How cool taking a &ldquo;sleigh&rdquo; ride in an 1,000 year old village.


Some of the local handmade products for sale]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Leslie has been busy painting&#x2c; take a look&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Art</category><dc:date>2010-12-08T18:01:05+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/www.cellarpaintings.com#unique-entry-id-92</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/www.cellarpaintings.com#unique-entry-id-92</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[New Paintings, if you want to see more go to www.cellarpaintings.com


Serralunga d&rsquo;Alba, a village in Barolo


Colori d&rsquo;Autunno


Set Quintai


Arneis]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Food and Wine</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-11-21T18:47:19+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/d51b9ba99f05cf48f3fc4ef1c4dbfc1e-91.html#unique-entry-id-91</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/d51b9ba99f05cf48f3fc4ef1c4dbfc1e-91.html#unique-entry-id-91</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some tastings turn into a &ldquo; drinking&rdquo;, a good thing when the wine shows well as they did at a recent 


tasting at the Rapalino winery in the village of  Nevigle.   Claudio Rapalino (shown) along with his


brother Marco, who are continuing the family tradition started by his father and grandfather.


As we&rsquo;ve spoke of before there is a festival every week in many towns all over Italy.


Our town had a culinary fair showing off the famous local dishes, above is Bagna Cauda 


made from anchovies, garlic and olive oil.   Served as a hot sauce fondu style that you dip


raw meat and or vegetables into.


A hands on demo on making Tajarin as Tagliatelle is called locally.   They are discussing 


whether to use 35 or 40 egg yolks per kilo of flour ( no joking ) in this very rich hand cut 


thin pasta.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>will it ever stop raining?</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-11-12T21:43:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/bddc5881cab6b72abd8d83a922595bef-90.html#unique-entry-id-90</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/bddc5881cab6b72abd8d83a922595bef-90.html#unique-entry-id-90</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Was a little tough getting out of the house Monday morning because the piazza 


we live on was getting new asphalt.    It has been raining for most of November,


this is unusual for the area and we are even getting some small landslides


which usually only happen in the spring.


When not raining the weather has been non-stop cloudy/foggy, great weather for racking and 


cleaning barrels.    The view behind Robert is normally spectacular.    See photo below.


This is the same veiw on a clear day, big difference.


But the crappy weather won&rsquo;t keep the locals from going to the weekly market.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dolcetto in a Barrel ?</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-10-29T19:17:54+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/5d1a04e1822c3a31c0f6ea0673b88629-89.html#unique-entry-id-89</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/5d1a04e1822c3a31c0f6ea0673b88629-89.html#unique-entry-id-89</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Yes it&rsquo;s true the farther you get from Barbaresco and the closer one gets to Dolcetto di Dogliani 


( the home of great Dolcetto) the more often you run in to a producer doing interesting things 


with dolcetto such as the above photo of Dolcetto going through it&rsquo;s Malolactic fermentation in an


french oak barrel (BARRIQUE) We&rsquo;ve often felt most Dolcettos could use a little oak even though 


we could get shot for thinking such lunecy here in Barbaresco


Last of the fall color on a rare clear day the whearher this fall has been very cloudy/rainy/drizly


So what better thing to do but go to a pary for a newly remodled and enlarged winery at Adriano


when your perents own a winery, one learns to pour wine like a pro before you finish grade school 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A NEW WINE BAR IN BARBARESCO </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-10-23T09:02:56+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0eb3548788c8f30d5b86aeea7d3b3721-88.html#unique-entry-id-88</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0eb3548788c8f30d5b86aeea7d3b3721-88.html#unique-entry-id-88</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[OK it&rsquo;s not really a wine bar but it&rsquo;s the BOFFA winery in &ldquo;downtown&rdquo; Barbaresco


 who has an outdoor patio where you can purchase a glass of their wine to enjoy


 the sunset with a view of Mt.  Viso.


Fantastic view of the Roero wine region across the Tanaro River just below the patio


Cotta is a big fan also, maybe because of all the salami treats she can nab ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A very cool tasting room &#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-10-15T18:00:58+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/84407db4166cc21483d7afa95d0dc68e-87.html#unique-entry-id-87</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/84407db4166cc21483d7afa95d0dc68e-87.html#unique-entry-id-87</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Over looking the last of Nebbiolo being harvested in Cru Montersino, just south of Trieso,


near the southern end of the Barbaresco region


Taking a couple of visitors to a tasting at CA&rsquo; ROME we think we&rsquo;ve now seen the coolest


tasting room in all of Langhe.   The wines are great too which we&rsquo;ve known for a long time


but had never seen the cellar, only driven by about 200 times over the years.   We had no


idea what we were missing.


Nebbiolo starting the long journy to become Barbaresco.   This Nebbiolo is from Cru Cotta


from the Neive sub zone of the Barbaresco region and is under going one of it&rsquo;s 4 to 5  


daily pump overs. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Monforte Italy rocks&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-09-30T06:51:20+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0bc601f20cfb1c16e04946402d9db6b6-86.html#unique-entry-id-86</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/0bc601f20cfb1c16e04946402d9db6b6-86.html#unique-entry-id-86</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With a recent group of visiting wine lovers we spent the day exploring Monforte d&rsquo;Alba.


We started the day with a visit to Podere Rocche dei Manzoni winery (some times winery names


can be a bit to long) we&rsquo;ve wanted to see the winery since their recent completion of a new 


aging cellar.


It&rsquo;s not all fun and games in wine country, we earned our lunch


by hiking through a dolcetto vineyard with a long climb to our 


picnic spot.


Enjoying lunch in Monforte before touring Conterno Fantino


a very beautiful winery with great wines, they even make a chardonnay that Robert will drink.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Harvest 2010 &#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-09-16T07:23:47+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/76d7f7cfd560ecd4c0f0d60fe7984bf3-85.html#unique-entry-id-85</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/76d7f7cfd560ecd4c0f0d60fe7984bf3-85.html#unique-entry-id-85</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Harvest  has started, first the whites Moscato, Arneis, Chardonnay, then in a few 


weeks the reds, Dolcetto, Barbera followed by the king of grapes Nebbiolo.


Davide (on left) winemaker/owner of the Vigin winery gets some help from Teresio 


loading Moscato grapes from his Canta vineyard just outside Treiso.


Robert chats with Davide&rsquo;s father Lorenzo about this years harvest who is happy


with both the weather and the grapes.   It&rsquo;s early but so far 2010 looks good.


We were in Asti a few days ago and our usual parking spot was being covered with


dirt for the upcoming horse races called &ldquo;Palio di Asti&rdquo; a very big event.


The entire town is decorated with flags and banners.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Summer is fading</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-09-09T16:44:05+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/9c6d0ea1aa31ae130a67d90b1bf980a2-84.html#unique-entry-id-84</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/9c6d0ea1aa31ae130a67d90b1bf980a2-84.html#unique-entry-id-84</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Now that summer is coming to an end, so is the &ldquo;trimming the vines season&rdquo;


 Next up is harvest.


Living in a part of the world where the internet has not taking over we've learned


the best way to find out what is going on is to head to our local caffe (coffee shop)


and read the flyers posted on the bar front.  They are very accurate and always up to date.


Cotta&rsquo;s first visit to a Michelin starred restaurant Antine, she was a perfect


quest, she even got a tour of the kitchen where she showed off her


 new &ldquo;bang bang&rdquo; trick to chef/owner Andrea Marino]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sundays at the Socio &#x22;Drinking Club&#x22;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-07-04T13:33:00+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/2a261650e308d324ac8d814e600c50c8-83.html#unique-entry-id-83</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/2a261650e308d324ac8d814e600c50c8-83.html#unique-entry-id-83</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Every Sunday at around 11am, we meet our friends at the Socio in 


Castagnole delle Lanze.    It is especially fun in summer when we can sit


outside and enjoy the view of the surrounding hillsides.     Danielle, in photo 


above, runs the bar with his family.    This is his special cocktail called 


&ldquo;Barbarella&rdquo;   It is dangerous to drink more than one even though you want to.


Normally we drink a local Arneis and in Italy it is illegal to drink without food


so of course, when you order wine one always gets little plates of snacks 


to nibble on.    What do you do on Sunday mornings?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>In the vineyard</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-06-19T15:52:14+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b063f26b2fef495c7d7c5631c66c7319-82.html#unique-entry-id-82</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/b063f26b2fef495c7d7c5631c66c7319-82.html#unique-entry-id-82</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Helping out the neighbors (Vigin) in there moscatto vineyard.   This is a very


old vineyard with narrow rows, with out enough space for a tractor to pass 


for trimming the vines so this work must be done by hand.


This photo of our court yard shows the crazy weather we can have here in


Langhe surrounded by black clouds with a spot of sun in the center.


 


Summer should be called tractor season they go non stop 7 day a week 


sun up to sun down this one spraying for powdery mildew in the valle grande


vineyard just out side Treiso.


Some times spraying is done by helicopter, trust me that black spot in the 


clouds is a helicopter Robert will gladly except an old Telephoto lens for


 his new digital rebel (good luck whit that)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The UK</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-06-07T18:01:49+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/e97860d9aec407cde1f1740937f99986-81.html#unique-entry-id-81</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/e97860d9aec407cde1f1740937f99986-81.html#unique-entry-id-81</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last week took a road trip to England to help a friend move some wine back 


to Italy.   We found in a bit strange after 650 miles through France saw no vineyards


but spotted this sign so we must have been close to Champagne.


Robert was in foodie heaven in the country only few hours and scored 


some great Thai soup and ......lots of curry!


fantastic curry the national dish of England


And not to be forgotten the former dish of England fish and chips with


mushy peas.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>nebbiolo_prima</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-05-28T16:16:12+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/009675250f9bc6cab67132d600fe0c1b-80.html#unique-entry-id-80</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/009675250f9bc6cab67132d600fe0c1b-80.html#unique-entry-id-80</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Now here is something you don&rsquo;t see in the states , at a recent town


festival the grade school was selling wine as a fund raiser.


yet another wine tasting  this new event called N1 &ldquo;nebbiolo-prima&rdquo;


is mainly for wine writers, bloggers and buyers These producers look 


like they will be glad to get home this evening, they must do alot events can 


be very time consuming and hard on the feet.


Chiaro with our friend and fellow blogger, Darryl go over there tasting notes]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>OOP&#x27;S</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-05-22T18:59:17+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/1021150b00879498104e2606e265bec4-79.html#unique-entry-id-79</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/1021150b00879498104e2606e265bec4-79.html#unique-entry-id-79</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This spring we&rsquo;ve seen a few good reasons for using a tour guide.  


This car went off the road in La Morra and crashed into some vines.


This car was a few weeks earlier and they trusted their GPS while coming 


home from dinner in the dark.    It had been raining for 3 weeks and very muddy.


The GPS took them down a vineyard road, not a real road and they got stock 


in the mud at midnight.    The rental car was stuck in the mud for 3 weeks until 


it dried out enough for a tractor to pull the car out.


Had they spent the night in the car they would have woken up to a great view!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2007 BARBARESCO&#x27;S are released &#x21;&#x21;</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-05-11T10:15:50+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/00032de0e2c20282cdb427363a8049c1-78.html#unique-entry-id-78</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/00032de0e2c20282cdb427363a8049c1-78.html#unique-entry-id-78</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Getting ready for the first of three blind Barbaresco tastings


24 Tonight.   Last Friday was the start of the annual &ldquo;iL Barbaresco A Tavola&rdquo;


The British are coming!    No it&rsquo;s just our expat (friends) mate&rsquo;s joining us for our weekly


english lessons (a few more years of this and we will be unable to speak American


at all). 


When trying the new Barbaresco&rsquo;s it is customary to taste through the wines two at a time, however 


it will take&rsquo;s us 4 1/2 hours to work our way through all 24 wines and the 7 course dinner.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bud Break</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-04-24T16:21:40+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/203e816e3ed9d5f6fa3e5ec9590403ee-77.html#unique-entry-id-77</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/203e816e3ed9d5f6fa3e5ec9590403ee-77.html#unique-entry-id-77</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bud break is here.   Soon all the vineyards will be crawling with workers


Trying to stay ahead of the vines.


We found a new spot for good food and music (yes Richard its jazz)


in the village of Barolo its name is Rosso Barolo They have a very


cool jazz bar downstairs 


The wine program and wine list is top notch]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Track (Road) Trip to Varenna </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-04-12T14:42:53+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/36bcedb934a6251d9fc5f53d36af47cf-76.html#unique-entry-id-76</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/36bcedb934a6251d9fc5f53d36af47cf-76.html#unique-entry-id-76</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Last week we took Cotta on her first family vacation and train ride to 


Lake Como to visit friends from Minnesota.   Cotta made about 1,000 new


friends including every train conductor along the way. 

...We rode the ferry from Varenna to Bellagio to check out the town


 and grab dinner, arriving in Bellagio, by ferry in  20 min. (by car 2 hours)


Bellagio is a great town for sightseeing. 

...side street and ally are neat little shops like this very cool


wine bar, the owner Norberto is both charming and very 


...Visiting a new area also means checking out the local wine region 


Valtellina known for it&rsquo;s very steep terracing of the vines.


Along with a few winery tours, Here Fabiana from Nino Negri explaining the


 giant cask (Botte) behind us which holds 13,000 bottles of wine she gave


a great tour followed by a tasting of their wines. 

...a must try if you can find a bottle.


Nino Negri winery has a beautiful barrel room with a ton of wine in it.


Back to our wonderful accommodations to enjoy the sunset with a glass of 


...Thanks Chris and Ray for sharing your town and wines with us. 

... a lot and had a ton of fun.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spring has finally sprung   </title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-04-02T19:32:09+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/ef4130dd13c7388f4173902d0933bfe5-75.html#unique-entry-id-75</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/ef4130dd13c7388f4173902d0933bfe5-75.html#unique-entry-id-75</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The sap has started to run bud break is not far behind for this 


pruned nebbiolo vine.


Vineyard work is starting to gear up to full speed.   That means every


day the weather is nice they work even on sunday.


A sure sign of spring the weekly markets are bustling with town folk


buying fresh fruit and veggies.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Gavi or bust</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Wine</category><dc:date>2010-03-17T15:00:06+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/c29b5a568a5bd29f5abb265c7dae87e4-74.html#unique-entry-id-74</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/c29b5a568a5bd29f5abb265c7dae87e4-74.html#unique-entry-id-74</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[ Despite the advantages that GPS has endowed us with, it doesn&rsquo;t always work.   On a recent fact-finding mission to Gavi (and Tortona) we had a 10am appointment with www.morgassisuperiore.it so we put the address into TomTom and set off with plenty of time to spare.   At 9.45am with just 4km to go, according to TomTom, we found ourselves on a snow covered icy track at the top of a hill with sheer drops either side.   Not unusual in this part of the world where tracks through vineyards are sometimes considered major thoroughfares.   We telephoned, apologised made a nervous 10 point turn and 30 minutes later were sampling the considerable delights of Timorasso and Cortese in the form of Gavi and a Gavi Superiore.   Here were white wines with a complexity and length that is hard to find in Italy and that would benefit from some ageing.   A desert wine, La Cortesia, was delightfully delicate and could serve as an aperitif, compliment foie gras and most deserts.


An excellent &ldquo;workers&rsquo; lunch&rdquo; in a cellar restaurant in Gavi set us up for the afternoon tastings.   First was at http://www.lacolomberavini.it/ where we were again delighted by the Timorasso: Il Montino 2006 a first time 3 bicchiere Gambero Rosso award winner.   A whole bunch of varietals were sampled including: Nibi&ograve;, Barbera, Croatina, Bonarda each with their own individual characteristics and some, along with a Cortese and Rosato, available &ldquo;sfuso&rdquo; (bring your own bottles!).   Elisa and Piercarlo are excellent hosts and a favourite of David Berry at www.bbr.com.


Last but not least, we spent 2 1/2 hours in the delightful company of www.claudiomariotto.it/.   Claudio is a passionate exponent of Timorasso and believes that it is exceptional and deserves a reputation ahead of Gavi.   Hard to dispute in our opinion and the range of vintages opened proved that this wine can definitely improve with age.   His Pitasso 2004, 2005 and 2006 all won 3 bicchiere.   The reds were pretty decent too.   The tasting was turning into a party as his brother Mauro and various colleagues turned up for a glass and cheese toasted on the stove but it was dark and snowing heavily and the driver was getting twitchy so we bade our farewells.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Where is spring ?</title><dc:creator>travellanghe@mac.com</dc:creator><category>Alexanders</category><dc:date>2010-03-10T18:06:23+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/d67361ff5f6b3fc8c57675592c28460b-73.html#unique-entry-id-73</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/d67361ff5f6b3fc8c57675592c28460b-73.html#unique-entry-id-73</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Woke up to 22&rdquo; of snow wed morning, the locals are going crazy


they have not seen snow like this in over 40/50 years. 


Just a few days pryer to the snow storm of the century spring was 


almost in full swing, green vineyards and clear skies 


We were lucky for our first visitors this year it was sunny and dry for a 


vineyard walk given by Tiziana (on right) from cantina Aurelio Settimo.


Followed by a tasting in the cantina (winery).   The wines showed 


very well especially the 1999 Barolo Tiziana opened as a treat. 


It was a text book perfect Barolo, thank you Tiziana, the nose stayed


with me for a few days.]]></content:encoded></item><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/ourblog_files/28afe4353034b5c810bfe118ba0e765e-72.html#unique-entry-id-72</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/8559938bb1666205110d41ec5bebc6b8-71.html#unique-entry-id-71</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/6599b4ee761826fa3e475247b25a7591-70.html#unique-entry-id-70</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/337e5e11a9868d4dce023e00ff696052-69.html#unique-entry-id-69</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/f431e6d003540853ab5a3b7192ff065c-68.html#unique-entry-id-68</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/5be72d7c723686b9c3d586d75395c4bb-67.html#unique-entry-id-67</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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><category>Winter </category><dc:date>2009-12-21T16:54:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/616c6fe46caaddb83143ac9b83cc99d5-66.html#unique-entry-id-66</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/d99e6c4c6c0ee7e3fad3ec63bf8370e4-65.html#unique-entry-id-65</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/364d922294082837dc480b41cb2ed3cd-64.html#unique-entry-id-64</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/958778e8c549123ea0fa520c4dc83255-63.html#unique-entry-id-63</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/62a1c50f06cb86f7ae207b5a3f74e7de-62.html#unique-entry-id-62</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/0b401f037ecbb14d704320c09d3a54a5-59.html#unique-entry-id-59</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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><category>Cheese</category><dc:date>2009-10-28T10:00:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/f661f3acda5867794ebc0b020806895d-58.html#unique-entry-id-58</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/a74647ae1ed1f33b9b3ad1ec7fbd7b58-57.html#unique-entry-id-57</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/8cd4ec52242f390d0f43f1e9f5b218a0-56.html#unique-entry-id-56</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/2cde186e86e47ee2d7c8e46366ee94b4-55.html#unique-entry-id-55</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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><category>Harvest</category><dc:date>2009-09-24T12:23:18+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/6ad6a93a9e5680b034ac72d370fa2aa6-54.html#unique-entry-id-54</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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><category>Harvest</category><dc:date>2009-09-16T09:36:13+02:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/aac372fb53d410de2f1d76474b8ab969-53.html#unique-entry-id-53</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/9f468df64b71f1b8ce02313a2a82de85-52.html#unique-entry-id-52</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/3d4fac72f5b8c777767abe6390415478-51.html#unique-entry-id-51</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/d0827b6734aca275ce3557bdaabe854d-50.html#unique-entry-id-50</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/b7c9f7800e0955d60e6ea7b8d5774b27-49.html#unique-entry-id-49</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/f985594b24bae2bfb5ea54b7bac91dae-48.html#unique-entry-id-48</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/2ce8593d8ffd65cb4f46cbf345c7d6a5-47.html#unique-entry-id-47</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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 


Piemonte)
]]></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/ourblog_files/bffd4fa78d4057e42d44607b59951c43-46.html#unique-entry-id-46</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/43b4d2ab6ba3c8a51babd9f5c1d51fe2-45.html#unique-entry-id-45</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/51fc3a36c164f6c16b923f106b1b285a-44.html#unique-entry-id-44</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/faf250e90a0a3740e2b25fc2cc3af8c7-43.html#unique-entry-id-43</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/50c8a0bff3a0e0cd44785d05b8d31186-42.html#unique-entry-id-42</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/b20f6eea5b3265bbf9d0a681570b0447-41.html#unique-entry-id-41</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/7a30617f7963558f16396976d5005b15-40.html#unique-entry-id-40</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/390880ba772e9150446d4acd1d0f9982-39.html#unique-entry-id-39</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/9bebf64b2e78d8c03f189453caf989c6-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/d265f1417cf7875b08d9d69ce927bf91-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/049f125e4079f9a3fba999e4b22ebe16-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/6df7133aa0bbdf3ce964fc5c4dbf69c9-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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 


winter.     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/ourblog_files/7d59f9affa0bf97f70cfa3036e3afc3f-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/7196fc5101de397f3284de5a1c62e3bd-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/b1377118f26cf8475678e248d60f8e87-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/9e03e4934641ef7931b949eedd25339d-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/b9009387c2dc0b77b0fd879e9a2fbe22-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/fc92090ff050167b105dbeb169842668-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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 


all the wines and see the cellar.    

...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


then finished our tasting upstairs where it was warmer.  


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 


...Giuseppe said the food is very authentic Piemontese


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/ourblog_files/4e7143409587445839846487e026b035-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/4e7143409587445839846487e026b035-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Robert just made February for his first ride of the year.     Last


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


anymore).    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/ourblog_files/b4e9632bb8db3ee802d1039346ec9ebc-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/db944389bc42ee4fcc1520e6a2a971e5-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/550f2c029f5e377133b34869331d29db-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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.


...Metodo Classico 2006


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 


of bubbles.   ...  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.    We approve.


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/ourblog_files/31154ed915600e9cecbb4b38afe00746-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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 


rain and use umbrellas!


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/ourblog_files/51aae437e12664e037627f5160479bba-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/87b689d83ee9f8cbcccd79baa30243e8-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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 


...From this lesson we have decided to give 


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 


but varies day to day, hour to hour.    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


...It also has ample choices for "bollicine" bubbles.


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/ourblog_files/ac65a4ec9c17d5b6793fb924fdc66299-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/c17783b472ae33a12078b35d0bf06f90-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/7b70c4364d815ee91cf61cdc6b55b604-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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><category>Truffles </category><dc:date>2008-11-13T17:05:42+01:00</dc:date><link>http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_files/d8657d40bfec0594f953b8dd9d380de7-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/d4d07c1f1b210bcc99168417fd67eb1f-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/e219d21445b779bf85019e9631825569-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/f5217d588910e36633efafe6292ee0dd-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/ae4ea7fe89965e4775b12128828d7aba-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/d0ab921a356b652c5c415e36f2eed7dd-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/b0a41236cee2c4e4493ff0bbbf532da2-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/2737d186fc0b74e4915759398562ec2e-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/5aa0d9813dac48c27f8298a771897343-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/b46f0cc70cb31c87500c3c52f861a667-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/221e6528017fa5beecb6291035ada6e8-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/93a5bc34aa57bf1d864b998f96fb083a-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/d799b76cb75285ef38fa767cf401df73-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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/ourblog_files/a354765f0a74dd650d39975e4a8cb7fd-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.travellanghe.com/ourblog_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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