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Faenza, Italy: Celebrated for Ceramics, Culture and Cuisine
Faenza is a charming, picturesque town located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, renowned globally for its rich historical heritage, exceptional ceramics and tin-glazed pottery. Nestled between Bologna and Florence, Faenza offers a unique blend of ancient history and artistic tradition. Faenza (known in French as faience) has ancient origins, dating back to the Roman era. It was known as Faventia during Roman times. Faenza flourished during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Its historical importance is evident in the town’s architecture and cultural landmarks. Speaking about culture, the world-famous Museum of Ceramics or Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche (MIC) stands as a testament to this heritage, housing a vast collection of…
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Poggio Della Dogana: Pure Romagna on the Palate
Poggio della Dogana Winery, located in Faenza in the province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, combines tradition with innovation to produce exceptional wines that capture the essence of their terroir. The winery was acquired back in 2017 by brothers Aldo and Paola Rametta (who also own Ronchi de Castellucio). Here, their focus is on the most representative varieties of the Romagna territory, specifically Albana and Sangiovese. Location, location, location. The vineyard’s territory and location play a crucial role in the quality of Poggio della Dogana’s wines. Situated in an area (on the hills between Castrocaro Terme and Brisighella) in between the sea and the mountains, with ideal climatic conditions and soil composition,…
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Discovering a Mosaic of Vineyards with Assovini Sicilia
As an Italian wine lover, I enjoy Italian wines from North to South. Each region has its charm and character. Sicily is no different. However, it is remarkable to know that Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest region in Italy. Moreover, this southern region boasts a variety of landscapes and climates that lead to a variety of soils. In fact, Sicily has soils that range from a composition of lava and calcareous rock to clay, basalt and tuffaceous rock. There are more than 60 grape varieties grown in Sicily, including Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Frappato, Nerello Cappuccio and Perricone for indigenous red wines and Catarratto,…
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Vermouth di Torino-Italy’s Timeless Elixir
Vermouth is an aromatized and fortified Italian wine, rooted in the vibrant culture and rich heritage of the Piedmont region. It is flavored with various botanicals, herbs, roots, and spices, and is typically used as an ingredient in cocktails or enjoyed on its own as an aperitif. Originally, it was created for medicinal purposes but has evolved into a popular beverage in its own right. Vermouth embodies centuries of tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation. Turin, Italy (Torino, in Italian) is considered the birthplace of Vermouth, as the beverage originated in this city in the 18th century. Hence, it is referred to as Vermouth di Torino. Antonio Benedetto Carpano is credited with…
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Unveiling the Treasures of Bolgheri with Podere Sapaio
Bolgheri, a central Italian village and hamlet of Castagneto Carducci, located in the province of Livorno, Tuscany, is known for producing some of Italy’s finest and most prestigious wines. The Bolgheri region’s unique terroir, which includes a combination of favorable climate, soil, and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, contributes to the production of these exceptional wines. The Bolgheri area gained international recognition for its high-quality wines, specifically, their Super Tuscan wines, which are a blend of traditional Italian grape varieties, such as Sangiovese, with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and/or Syrah.The region’s wines are often marked by their rich flavors, deep complexity, and ability to age gracefully.…
