The area in Piedmont called Langhe Roero has give…moreThe area in Piedmont called Langhe Roero has given the world the gift of truffles, the Nebbiolo grape, from which Barolo and Barbaresco come from and a dazzling cuisine that is both aristocratic and simple. Let iexplore guide you on this luxury wine tour among castles and vineyards. There you’ll meet the makers of these great wines and the chefs working their dazzling cuisine in some of the most charming medieval towns in Italy.
Your trip starts at the Villa Tiboldi, luxuriously renovated Villa and Farmhouse surrounded by Nebbiolo and Arneis vineyards with views that go on forever.
Alba has a beautiful Cathedral from the XIth Century and a rich historic center. However Alba’s heart beats to the tune of the truffle.
Renato Agnello, truffle hunter of of 60 years leads a search for truffles in the woods with his dog Diana.
Tartufi Morra is a truffle emporium Established in 1930. It has the ultimate selection of everything truffle.
The restaurant Piazza Duomo owned by the Ceretto winemaking family is a shocking pink space with frescoes by Francesco Clemente.The avant-garde cuisine of Chef Enrico Crippa has earned the restaurant a one Michelin star.
The healthy pastry shop created by chef Luca Mentersino uses no sugar, milk or flour. So go ahead and splurge.
Neive is at the heart of Barbaresco. Katja and Ivan Rivetti are the third generation of Rivetti making this wine here. Tops labels are Bricco Barbaresco and Bricco de Neveis.
The Stupino brothers winery is housed in a sprawling 18th century castle. In the 70’s the Stupino’s cloned an old variety of Arneis vine producing a remarkable sparkling Pinot Noir besides their well known Barbaresco.
The restaurant La Ciau del Tornavento is owned by chef Maurilio Garola. The Chef has consistently received one Michelin star for his groundbreaking dishes.
The fortified Castle of Grinzane was erected in the XIth Century. Today it houses a very large Enoteca representing the best of Piedmont wines and grappas.
Barolo is a charming medieval town surrounded by wineries
The Marchesi Falletti created the first Barolo in this village.The first bottle, "Cannubbio 1861” is on permanent display.Today the original 19-century chestnut barrels have been reconditioned to age the Barolo Cannubi or Barolo Riserva.
Locanda nel Borgo Antico is set in an hamlet outside Barolo. In this elegant restaurant Chef Massimo Camia prepares the classic dishes which have earned the restaurant a Michelin star.
The Ceretto brothers have created a 300 acres network of small estates producing some outstanding labels. Top wines are Bricco Rocche, Brunate and Prapo’.
They have also sponsored major art projects the Sol Lewitt Chapel among the vineyards and in their winery their futuristic wine-tasting glass cube.
You will stay in the Hotel Villa Beccaris an 18th century palazzo surrounded by vineyards near the historic town of Monforte DAlba.
3 sisters from the Burlotto family run the Castle which their grandfather bought from the first King of Italy. The family restored the original frescos and furniture. Here you’ll attend cooking lesson in classic Piedmontese dishes.
Their winery has some of the oldest vintages going back to the 1850’s. Top wines are Verduno Basadone, Barbaresco Rabaja’ .
A truly royal lunch is served in the castle courtyard.
Pietro Ratti runs the business founded by his father in the 60’s. Today this state of the arts winery produces an outstanding Barolo Marcenasco.
After this magical tour with iexplore.com, Langhe Roero will stay with you forever. For more information on this privately guided, dream luxury wine tour call us at 1-800 iexplore or visit iexplore.com
Copyright Christina Tours, LLC
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This video provides some useful tips for filmmake…moreThis video provides some useful tips for filmmakers interested in entering the http://visiteurope.com contest: Learn how to come up with an interesting story idea.
For information on shooting techniques refer to the section "Planning your production". less
Just a few kilometers from Florence, in the hills…moreJust a few kilometers from Florence, in the hills below Fiesole, with a full view of the Duomo is the charming residence hotel called Eden Rock.
Built by world famous race car driver Clemente Biondetti in the 50’s and carved into the rugged mountain that frames it, the Eden Rock is a modern version of the many castles which dot the tuscan country site.
With a beaituful pool and Jacuzzi,an open air lobby dug out of the rock and covered with copper tiles,
it has 13 suites in all with every comfort plus a cellar club stocked with vintage wine from Tuscany.
And just a few minutes way Florence beckons in all its glory.
Via Bolognese Nuova, 7
50139 Firenze (FI), Italy
+39 055 400331
www.edenrockresort.it
www.epoquehotels.com less
Surrounded by olive groves and right on the Ionia…moreSurrounded by olive groves and right on the Ionian sea, on Italy’s southern tip near the village of San Gregorio is the Hotel Montecallini.
The Hotel was built on a hilltop on the plan of the ancient masseries, the old apulian farmhouses as a comfortable 4 star resort, a few steps from one of the most pristine seas in Italy.
Like the old farmhouses it has its own orchard where seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown for its kitchen.
Their family restaurant on the beach right below the hotel is a hot spot and serves the freshest local sea food.
From San Gregorio one can hire a boat to ride along the coastline which is dotted with Paleolithic caves and endless coves for bathing. The trip continues to Leuca and its lighthouse. This is the southernmost tip of the peninsula where the Ionian sea and the Adriatic sea meet.
If one is in the mood for culture the city Lecce is very close by. This is a jewel of a baroque city with dramatic architecture and a lively scene. Highly recommended.
73053 Loc. San Gregorio (Le) - Puglia Italy
Tel. 0039 (0) 833 767850 Fax 0039 (0) 833 767851
http://www.hotelmontecallini.com
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Sagrantino is a unique grape only grown in the Mo…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.
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After spending nearly five years writing and edit…moreAfter spending nearly five years writing and editing World
Geography programs for the Middle School market, we decided it was time to
do something interesting, educational, and totally unsuitable for sixth
graders. Our World Wine Regions series, beginning with France, was the
result. less
One Day in Stockholm Sweden. Visit the Vasa one …moreOne Day in Stockholm Sweden. Visit the Vasa one of the most impressive salvaged ships from the North Sea; Nordiska Museum of Cultural History, and of course enjoy the the beautiful Nordic women. less
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tourism to Ireland. It does capture a mood. less
London is the most populous city within city limi…moreLondon is the most populous city within city limits in the European Union with an official population of 7.5 million (as of mid-2006) and has a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million people.Its diverse population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures and religions, speaking over 300 different languages. less
Alba in Piedmont is a very small town but it’s bi…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.
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An important settlement for around two millennia,…moreAn important settlement for around two millennia, London is today one of the world's leading business, financial and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the major global cities. less
We are in Puglia at the heel of Italy. This is a …moreWe are in Puglia at the heel of Italy. This is a land rich with tradition, history and art.
In the town of Grottaglie we find that the ceramic tradition brought to this area by the Greeks in the second century BC is still alive today. In fact Grottaglie, because of its large clay deposits, has been an uninterrupted center of ceramic production until today. And the contemporary master ceramist is Nicola Fasano.
An ancestor of his, Francesco Nicola opened a ceramic store in Grottagle in 1623. These figures are inspired by the baroque ceramics of that period.
But there is more. The Fasano workshop has been using an ancient oven but no one knew how old until an archeologists did some research.
VO: The analysis done with carbon 14 has revealed that this oven dates back to 2,400 years ago.
Generations of Fasanos have passed on their knowledge to their descendants. Today they have 30 ceramists, designers, modelers and enamelers , among the most talented in the field producing. ceramics known for their high quality and stylish design.
Their work is now seen in the most prestigious stores and museums around the world. 18 generations of Fasanos have proven that by sticking passionately to their craft they can survive and thrive for centuries in an uncertain world of short lived fads.
www.fasanocnf.it
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A tour of ancient and prehistoric British sites: …moreA tour of ancient and prehistoric British sites: stone circles, standing stones, cairns, white horses and the infamous Cerne Giant. less
Every once in a while, you have to live a fairy t…moreEvery once in a while, you have to live a fairy tale. We celebrated New Year's Eve, Dec 31 2007, in Vienna at the Imperial Ball or Kaiserball. From the moment you entered the Hofburg Palace until you reluctantly left, it was pure and simple magic. Imagine a night with Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sissi of the Hapsburg dynasty. To this day the afterglow has continued. Happy New Year 2008.
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When I think back about my trip to Iceland, I can…moreWhen I think back about my trip to Iceland, I can only remember fragments of images of beautiful scenery and moments with people. However, there is a strong indescribable feeling the resonates with me when I think back on that magical island,a feeling that I will never forget.
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Austria's water falls from the skies like magic, …moreAustria's water falls from the skies like magic, flows down the rivers, and crashes in a crescendo of human movement. Directed by Curt Faudon less
On My way to the World Rally ChampionshipIn Gteat…moreOn My way to the World Rally ChampionshipIn Gteat britain, I had a few moments to walk around the World heritage site of Stonehenge. I'm your host Michael Murphy and this is Destination Unknown stonehenge less
"Trooping the Colour," the most colorful of all the annual Royal ceremonies in …more"Trooping the Colour," the most colorful of all the annual Royal ceremonies in London, takes place on the morning of the Queen's official birthday, the Saturday closest to mid-June. However, for the two Saturdays preceeding that day, full rehearsals are staged, much to the delight of tourists and residents alike. This "Trooping the Colour" was filmed on the last Saturday in May, 2008. The information in the commentary was researched and delivered by Monty Brown less
The chimes of Big Ben were drowned out by the clicking of castanets as London’s…moreThe chimes of Big Ben were drowned out by the clicking of castanets as London’s famous Borough Market went Mediterranean.
Budding gourmets and Spanish enthusiasts indulged their taste-buds as the week long ‘Taste of Spain’ festival concentrated on matters food and drink.
This tantalising selection of Spain’s most famous foods and wines included demonstrations by chefs from London’s leading Spanish restaurants and the Spanish regions. There were even cocktails being made out of Harveys Sherry.
It’s part of a push to encourage British people to sample the Spanish experience, and hopefully encourage even more of us to take a trip to Spain on holiday.
To see just what was served up, take a look at this video.
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A tour of ancient and prehistoric British sites: stone circles, standing stones…moreA tour of ancient and prehistoric British sites: stone circles, standing stones, cairns, white horses and the infamous Cerne Giant. less
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