Categoria: Other Blogs
【超級 Tuscany】by Wylie
上週末的一次聚會中，選擇了一支較特別的葡萄酒作慶祝，是來自意大利的 Super Tuscany。究竟為何叫做這個名稱呢？
話說舊世界的產葡萄酒國家都有一整套特定的條例，由葡萄品種到種植和造酒過程都有一定的規管，才能夠在酒標上用上某種特定的級數。如在意大利，就分 DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) 或 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)。如果不獲得認定的，就只能歸入次一等的 IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) 甚至不獲評級。
七十年代開始，有一班富冒險精神的釀酒師就偏偏要於意大利托斯卡納的土壤上栽種由外國引入的葡萄品種，例如 Cabernet Sauvignon。這些挑戰常規的酒，不可能被列入既有的評級中，但卻造得越來越出色，而且有價有市，所以除了被列入 IGT 等級外，也會被冠以 Super Tuscany 的外號，這並非任何官方等級，但在價格上反映了這些酒的江湖地位，因為一些被追捧的 Super Tuscany 分分鐘可以比法國的列級酒庄出品還要貴，有機會的話，記得要試吓。
cypress impressions by adam_pachula
Tuscany – Fun Wid Us
The Lions Roar
Toscana# – Fun Wid Us
Photo of the Day: Tuscan Sunrise
I’m going to try sharing these photos of the day more often to keep my blog active on days I’m not writing.
This was taken on the grounds of a villa in the hills of Tuscany outside Florence in 2011. It was my second day in Italy and, still out of whack from not sleeping on the flight, I awoke before dawn, which is an extreme rarity for me (I’m frequently just going to bed before dawn). Determined not to let this fortuitous turn of events go to waste, I headed outside on a chilly fall morning to catch the sunrise.
The quality of this photo is not the best since it was taken with a point-and-shoot camera, but I like the imagery of peering over the potted plant at the Tuscan countryside under the early morning sky.
Pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans)
If you grew up in an Italian household, you will definitely have been faced with eating pasta fagioli at least once (if not more)! I have to admit, pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans) hasn’t really been a dish that has been present in my marriage meals with Steven. But, it does feature in March, so it was time I made it… And after the scrumptious dinner, I began to wonder why I hadn’t experimented with it previously? It is so yummy and such a great winter warmer! And not too hard either!
Pasta e fagioli (page 76)
Of course, I used dried beans soaked in water overnight. I cooked the beans the day before I actually made the pasta e fagioli. Reason being, was that I needed to work the next day. To anyone who wants to be organised – you can cook a whole heap of dried beans…
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Green Hills … by boilerissimo
Travel to Italy Tip #4 | Travel to lesser known areas
Ascoli Piceno in Le Marche
Another way to help save money and make your dream of travel to Italy come true this year is to think outside of the box. The majority of tourists all travel to the same areas in Italy. In major cities, the tourists can be found in the same concentrated places. Of course there are the blockbusters to see, but aside from that you really don’t need to get caught up in the masses. To increase your enjoyment, see more of the real Italy all while saving money, follow tip #4.
4. Travel to a Lesser Known Area
Most guidebooks lead people to the same places over and over. When I travel I make sure not to miss the important sites and places that are a priority to me, but when I am done I make a beeline for the opposite direction of the other tourists.
An alternative to…
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Cappannelle 