One of the pleasant surprises of Sicily lies midway between the blue Mediterranean and crater of Mount Etna: vineyards! Not the Nero d'Avola of the island's southern hillsides nor the Marsala of the western shores; here, the grapes are indigenous to Etna's volcanic soil.
Vines share the slopes with olive groves and citrus orchards: red nerello mascalese, white cataratto, carricante and malvasia di Lipari. (The world being what it is, one also finds the ubiquitous cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.)
We stopped for a tasting and lunch in the village of Murgo at a winery called Tenuta San Michele (no relation to the Ste. Michelle folks in Woodinville), owned by Emanuele Scammacca, the baron of Murgo. Behind you rises the snow-capped volcano, in front of you lies the azure sea. And in your hand, a glass of sparkling Murgo Brut, a sprightly aperitif. What could be better?
The journey continues tomorrow: what should we eat?
Posted by Ronald Holden at December 21, 2005 9:34 PM
French Chef Sally is my friend Sally McArthur, who hosts luxurious,
week-long cooking classes at the Chateau du Riveau in the Loire Valley.
Local Wine Events.com,
the worlds leading Food and Wine tasting calendar. Spirits and Beer events as well. Post your own event or sign up
to be notified when new events are po
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VinoLover, Seattle wine promoter David LeClaire's bulletin board of tastings,
dinners and special events.
Wine Educator Dieter Schafer maintains a full schedule
of Seattle-area tastings and seminars
for amateur wine drinkers and professional alike.
Nat Decants, a free wine e-newsletter from Natalie MacLean, recently named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. Wine picks, articles and humor; no ads.
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