Archives

April 2007

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News from the Barolo wine country

"Qui da noi, è già arrivata l'estate!" writes Mario Fontana. It seems the unseasonally warm weather that we have recently enjoyed is not just local to us. In the Barolo wine country, summer has already arrived! In recent days, the temperatures have soared to 30 degrees C which is very hot indeed for this time of year. The vines in Mario's vineyards - Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto - have already burst their buds and the shoots are growing quickly. This means, says Mario, that the annual and regular work in the vineyard has thus commenced 'in fretta' - in a hurry.

The other big project that Mario and Luisa have commenced upon is the construction of a new house and wine cantina just opposite where they are living now, in the tiny hamlet of Perno near Monforte d'Alba. It's an exciting project for them, and the new wine cantina will give Mario more space for the continued hand production of his superlative artisan wines. We'll look forward to seeing this on a future Club Vino visit, Mario!

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Club Vino @ The Globe Wine Tasting: "A journey in a bottle through Italy" Wednesday May 23rd at 7.30pm - (please note, this date has been changed)

Wine is produced in each of Italy's 20 regions, from more than 1000 different indigenous grape varieties! This tasting explores some of Italy's regions in a wineglass. I shall be looking to put together as interesting and as varied a selection of wines as I can, including wines from Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli, Sardinia, Veneto, Piedmont, Le Marche, Tuscany and from indigenous grape varieties such as Teroldego Rotaliano, Vermentino, Schioppetino, amongst others. The more people we have for this tasting (up to maximum of 30), the greater the selection of wines. The tasting will now be held in the Restaurant of the Globe (not the Malt House as previously advised) and Liz will be supplying a pasta buffet after the tasting.

If you would like to join us, can you please confirm your participation as soon as possible. The tasting and pasta buffet will cost £15 for Club Vino/Friends of Pebblebed members and £20 for non-members.

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Slow Food Devon Wine and Cheese Evening in The Topsham Wine Cellar
May 4th, 2007

An evening of wine and cheese with members of Slow Food Devon. The event will start off at 5pm in Geoff's Pebblebed Ebford vineyard for a tour, and then move to the Topsham Wine Cellar at 7pm for a tasting of Pebblebed and Vino wines accompanied by a selection of farmhouse cheeses from Quickes of Newton St Cyres, with Mary Quicke on hand to tell us all about her wonderful cheeses (we're big fans! Have a look at Mary's Diary ).

Slow Food, the Italian movement that was born when founder Carlo Petrini was outraged that a McDonalds had opened on the Spanish Steps of Rome, is now an important global movement that is working hard to safeguard real foods throughout the world and to promote a culture of slow eating and living.

This wine and cheese evening will be in conjunction with the Slow Food Devon convivium which is doing some great things locally (like the monthly Slow Food Market on Exeter's quay). I myself have been associated with Slow Food for many years (I am on the international jury for the Slow Food Premio for Biodiversity), so I am delighted to have this opportunity to forge closer ties between Slow Food and Club Vino/Friends of Pebblebed as I believe we share a similar philisophy in our approaches to the enjoyment of food and wine, as well as our concerns for the foods we eat and the world we live in.

For Club Vino members, this evening is an opportunity to learn more about Slow Food Devon, and the activities that it will be planning over the coming year. If you are not yet a member of Slow Food, I urge you to consider joining.

Tickets for this event are £10 payable to Slow Food. If you would like to join us, can you please let us know as soon as possible to book your place.

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New wines on the way!

We have been selectively if slowly expanding the Vino list, always continuing to work with producers we personally know, and who produce outstanding wines with real character and personality. Next week I'll be delighted to introduce the wines of Conte Pieralvise Serego Alighieri, an old friend and direct descendant of the poet Dante, who makes superlative wines from the 14th century family estate in the Valpolicella hills above Verona. We'll also be offering some wines by Fausto Maculan, one of Italy's leading producers, including a rare and lusciously delicious dessert wine, Dindarello, made from Moscato Giallo grapes.

Marc and Kim