02
Feb
2012
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
I've never been one for museums ... sorry ma ... yes my mother has taken me to a few in my day, usually to see some art exhibits and such that she could not drag my dad to ... but I have to admit, very little interests me in those surroundings. I walk thru them quickly looking at this and that, stopping at the few things that catch my eye, but for the most part museums aren't my bag. My wife would think that kinda surprising I'm sure, she teases me about being a little effeminate because of my love for wine and theater ... she also finds it odd I like Abba and am probably one of the few people in this world that doesn't think the Johnny Hates Jazz album doesn't suck - but that's another story. Today's tour of the Veneto region took us east, to the Soave region. We first started out at the Museo di Bolca ... a fossil museum ... now this was a funny excursion that was riddled with all kinds of fumbles: the museum didn't know we were coming, they had to turn the heat on, and nobody could guide us through; I self-toured with a couple of other writers then went for a coffee up the hill at a bar and waited for the others to finish. It was then off to Cantina di Soave - a co-op winery, a castle stop and a small yet intriguing winery called Massimago (owned by a 27 year young woman with a dream) ... along the way we stumbled onto the most interesting place. Let's take a look ... (take a look at the pictures from the last day - click here)
To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.
31
Jan
2012
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
Day 4 ... Every day in Italy is interesting, especially if you don't live here. It's like when I come in contact with these winery folks and tell them that I am from Toronto - they love the city (because they don't live there), I not trying to give Toronto a bad name - in fact I love the city, I have lived in or around it my whole life, I'm just saying outsiders don't know the problems that are part of living in the city). We all think Italy is beautiful, but the locals know the problems - we as visitors just see the shiny exterior. And speaking of problems, I have had many a conversation about our much ... beloved? ... LCBO - it is getting to the point where I don't want to sit next to a winery principal during a meal or a tasting because sooner or later the 'CBO comes up in the conversation.. Sadly everybody has heard of them, everybody seems to have had dealing with them, and nobody likes them - so much for Canada's friendly reputation, seems out liquor boards are doing their best to sully that perception (no one better than the one in Ontario). But this is not a diatribe about the monopoly, it's to show you the wines we are missing out on because they are just not made in the quantity needed to feed the beast, err, I mean the LCBO. It's also to show you the beauty of the countryside, the wineries, and the friendliness and hospitality of the people. Today it was 5 wineries, 2 villas and a view of Verona that would take your breath away. Once again, it's a picture book story - those are so much easier to read. (to see the pictorial essay from day 4, click here)
To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.
