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Alba in Piedmont is a very small town but it’s big in 3 areas: Art…. Food, being the world capital of black and white truffles and Wine, producing wo…moreAlba in Piedmont is a very small town but it’s big in 3 areas: Art…. Food, being the world capital of black and white truffles and Wine, producing world reknown Barolo right here. The Ceretto family in Alba is literally and seriously involved in all 3 area. Established wine growers for 70 years they also own their own upscale restaurants and have enlisted major world artists to decorate their building. This never consecrated psychedelic chapel was painted by Saul Lewitt in 1999. Their winery is in nearby Castiglione Falletto, an old medieval town. However true to their adventurous spirit they picked Turin architect De Abate to design their modern building with a glass cube for the tasting room. On these hils on 20 acres they produce 3 outstanding Barolos which have won the company many awards: Bricco Rocche, Prapo and Brunate. So for their Piazza Duomo restaurant they picked Enrico Crippa, an awarded chef who paints beautiful dishes in the kitchen and the artist Francesco Clemente who painted the walls. Of course their Barolo is always on the table. The Chef explains that the fresco it represents happiness, the vineyard, nature and freedom. He also remembers that Clemente was painting with natural colors, made with flowers and natural herbs so while painting the room always filled up with insects and bees which were following the scent as if they were in an open field instead of a room in the center of town. less

Sagrantino is a unique grape only grown in the Montefalco Assisi area. It was probably brought here in the 1400’s by Franciscan monks followers of St…moreSagrantino is a unique grape only grown in the Montefalco Assisi area. It was probably brought here in the 1400’s by Franciscan monks followers of St Francis. The sweet wine has been drunk by locals on weddings and Easter ever since. In the 70’s Arnaldo Caprai bought 10 acres of land and decided to focus on this old vine and for the first time make a dry red wine. In the 80 his son Marco who had graduated as an enologyst brought to the winery a desire to experiment and innovate. The Caprai’s convinced the University of Milan to come on board on a research project to clone the various strains of old Sagrantino vines which were on the verge of disappearing. The experiment was very successful and the rest is history. In 1992 the top appellation DPCG was awarded to sagrantino winning Caprai international recognition and many awards. Under strict Italian law, "Montefalco Sagrantino Secco" DOCG defines a wine guaranteed to come exclusively from Sagrantino grapes, exclusively from the Province of Perugia Secco means dry. The wine ages for 30 months, of which at least 12 in oak barrels. This wine is a DOCG, the highest-ranking category of Italian wine denominations Sagrantino di Montefalco, is a DOCG wine that must be made from 100 percent Sagrantino. Most wines in the world are made from the same 5-6 different types of grapes. Sagrantino di Montefalco is unique because it is made from a single grape and only made here. Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiani first produced in 1979 is possibly the star of the collection. Caprai still produces Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito (also DOCG), the sweet wine that gave birth to the modern sagrantino . Today thanks to Caprai this wine once almost forgotten is drunk the world over. less

Brindisi is an old roman port in Puglia, at the heel of Italy. In fact it still has a column marking the end of the Appian way. During Roman times …moreBrindisi is an old roman port in Puglia, at the heel of Italy. In fact it still has a column marking the end of the Appian way. During Roman times Puglia used to be the major wine producer of the empire. Today it is still the major wine producer in Italy hosting some ambitious wine producers .like the Rubino's. Luigi Rubino showcases his 3 best wines with interesting food pairing at the restaurant Penny in Brindisi. Penny is an old favorite in town housed in a 12th century building and serving some of the most authentic local dishes prepared by Chef cosimo Orfano . The wines Negroamaro Red, Malvasia Giancola and Torre Testa have all unique characteristics given Puglia's 1000 hours more sun than any other region of Italy. Torre Testa is made from a grape called Susumaniello which came from Dalmatia in the 7th century bc. It is exclusively cultivated in Puglia and only in the Brindisi area. The Rubino Estate produces 800,000 bottles a year with 70 % of the production exported to 20 countries. less

The Barolo area in Langhe, Italy boasts some of the most prestigious wines and wineries in the world. It also counts among its many reason to visit t…moreThe Barolo area in Langhe, Italy boasts some of the most prestigious wines and wineries in the world. It also counts among its many reason to visit the area the existence of the "Museum of corkscrews". Paolo Annoni was once a pharmacist but abandoned his old profession to dedicate himself to his passion for corkscrews. Over the years he has travelled the world and auction houses searching for the most unusual corkscrews, collecting 1,300 rare ones and exhibiting them in the town of Barolo. Christie's in London devotes 2 sales a year to corkscrews. If you attend you'll be sure to find Paolo there. less

Champagne was invented in the Marne area East of Paris by a monk called Dom Perignon in the 17th Century. The rest is history!

Wine Planet checks out Coriole winery set in the "Seaview" sub region of the McLaren Vale Wine District in South Australia. Coriole Vineyards was…moreWine Planet checks out Coriole winery set in the "Seaview" sub region of the McLaren Vale Wine District in South Australia. Coriole Vineyards was established by the Lloyd family in 1967, in hills overlooking the McLaren Vale wine region and Gulf St Vincent. The area is one of Australia's oldest and best-known wine districts. The original vineyard at Coriole was planted in 1920. Further plantings were added in the late 1960's and 1990's. With its three specialities being Shiraz, Sangiovese and Chenin Blanc. less

New Zealand South Island counts more than 70 wineries in the Malborough area. These vinyards benefit for a stony alluvial soil that has superior drai…moreNew Zealand South Island counts more than 70 wineries in the Malborough area. These vinyards benefit for a stony alluvial soil that has superior drainage, perfect for growing the sauvignon blanc favored in this region. Produced by Sidney and mary Lee Nolan for Compulsive Traveler. less

New Zealand's wines were unknown to the rest of the world until the 1980's because local consumption was limited by the restrictive laws about drinki…moreNew Zealand's wines were unknown to the rest of the world until the 1980's because local consumption was limited by the restrictive laws about drinking wine with food. When the laws were relaxed in the 60's, a domestic market was born and grapes became a suitable crop for development. Produced by Sidney and Mary Lee Nolan for Compulsive Traveler. less

The Yarra Valley is Melbourne's breadbasket and one of the country's top wine producers with over 40 wineries delivering everything from excellent Ca…moreThe Yarra Valley is Melbourne's breadbasket and one of the country's top wine producers with over 40 wineries delivering everything from excellent Cabernet Sauvignon to a good bubbly made by the Australian wing of Moet & Chandon. The area is also known for one of the most scenic routes along the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide. Produced by Sid and Mary Lee Nolan for Compulsive Traveler. less

The famous Hunter Valley wine producing region begins 70 miles North of Sidney. This is the oldest wine producing area since 1825.Good soil and ample…moreThe famous Hunter Valley wine producing region begins 70 miles North of Sidney. This is the oldest wine producing area since 1825.Good soil and ample rains make this a perfect environment for growing a wide range of grapes. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the most popular wines here. Produced by Sidney and Mary Lee Nolan for Compulsive Traveler. less

In Bordeaux the word Chateaux can be applied to anything, from an imposing estate to a simple country house to a few rows of vines that constitute a …moreIn Bordeaux the word Chateaux can be applied to anything, from an imposing estate to a simple country house to a few rows of vines that constitute a small vineyard. There are over 3,000 Chateaux names in the Bordeaux area but they do not represent a corresponding number of palatial mansions. less

The subtitle of this program will be from BC to BC - Baja California to British Columbia. Its a work in progress and should be released by fall, 2…moreThe subtitle of this program will be from BC to BC - Baja California to British Columbia. Its a work in progress and should be released by fall, 2008. less

This quick tour of French wine regions sets the stage for our 80 minute production.

Torgiano Umbria. This is the Lungarotti kigdom. With an estate of 700 acres the Lungarotti family is a leading wine producer in Italy and the region…moreTorgiano Umbria. This is the Lungarotti kigdom. With an estate of 700 acres the Lungarotti family is a leading wine producer in Italy and the region. Its wines are distributed to 35 countries around the world. In Torgiano they operates a wine Museum considered one of the best in the world, an olive oil Museum rich with the history of this Mediterranean staple. They also own a 4 star Hotel restaurant called Le 3 Vaselle. Here chef Domenico Imperio with many national awards to his name creates outstanding dishes for the restaurant. Here at the 3 Vaselle he shares his knowledge and recipes . less