Apron and Sneakers - Cooking & Traveling in Italy and Beyond

A Shared Stage for the Montepulciano Denomination in Tuscany at Carpineto

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 03:10:00 +0000

At its Montepulciano estate in the heart of Tuscany, Carpineto welcomed members of the press for a carefully curated Open House that unfolded into a day of dialogue, tasting, and quiet celebration. The atmosphere struck a natural balance of informal purposefulness, with guests moving easily among the tables of the producers, glasses in hand, conversations shifting from vineyard parcels to aging decisions.

Ristorante Aliciati: A Cozy Corner of Tuscany in Arezzo

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:58:00 +0000

At the helm of Aliciati, Chef Giovanni Aliciati expresses a refined and deeply personal vision of Italian cuisine. Young, ambitious, and firmly rooted in tradition, he reinterprets classic Italian dishes through a contemporary lens, achieving a seamless balance between aesthetic elegance and harmonious flavors.

A Taste of Tuscany: Seasonal Flavors from Farm to Table at Osteria della Lodola

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:32:00 +0000

There are few experiences more genuine than dining on ingredients pulled straight from the earth. At Osteria della Lodola, that immediacy is not a concept but a certainty. Set within the rolling countryside of Val di Chiana, this is not simply a restaurant on a farm, but a restaurant of the farm. The gardens lie just beyond the kitchen, close enough to shape the menu each day, their seasonal rhythms quietly deciding what arrives on the plate. Everything here feels anchored to place, guided by a family whose connection to the land runs as deep as the Tuscan soil itself.

Amaracmand Wines: Authentic Flavors from Romagna’s Blue Clay

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 02:31:00 +0000

Tasting Amaracmand wines at Ristorante Atto in Florence offered a vivid expression of Romagna within the historic setting of Palazzo Portinari Salviati. Surrounded by Renaissance frescoes and architectural details, the sense of place extended seamlessly from the room into the glasses. Each wine reflected the slopes and soils of the Sorrivoli hills, brought to life through the words of owner Marco Vianello and his cousin Damiano Vianello, who oversees the winery. As the tasting unfolded, a coherent philosophy emerged, centered on sustainability and authentic expression. That narrative deepened when the wines were revisited alongside the thoughtfully composed dishes of Chef Vito Mollica, whose pairings revealed new layers in the wines. What remained most striking was the human element: a shared conversation connecting wine, food, and place, reminding that the most compelling bottles are inseparable from the land and purpose that shape them.

From Vineyard to Olympic Stage: Crognolo and Anthium Among Italy’s Olympic Wines

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:14:00 +0000

On the occasion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, taking place from 6 to 22 February, Casa Italia becomes a showcase of Italian excellence that extends beyond sport into the realm of culture, craftsmanship, and wine. Among the 26 labels selected for the official wine list, curated to embody the prestige and diversity of Made in Italy, two wines stand out for their iconic identity and their deep connection to place: Crognolo Toscana Rosso IGT 2023 by Tenuta Sette Ponti and Bellone Anthium Lazio Bianco IGT 2025 by Casale del Giglio.

Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 23:49:00 +0000

When Castrese Loffredo, owner of Tenuta Loffredo, parked the car and gestured toward the highest point of the terraced hillside, our destination for the tasting, the prospect felt daunting. After a long day spent sampling the current vintage of wines from across sun-drenched Campania, the climb seemed like a final test of endurance. Yet what initially appeared challenging soon revealed itself as a necessary and gentle immersion.

From Sweden's Coast to a Tuscan Table: The Strandåkra Vingård Sparkling Wine Story

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Some of the best wine stories begin not in vineyards, but between friends. When a friend of mine, Katarina Andersson of Grapevine Adventures, a Swedish wine writer, came to visit me in Tuscany for a few relaxed days, we both knew that “relaxing” would inevitably involve opening bottles, sharing impressions, and talking endlessly about wine. When she stepped off the train, her bag held an exciting surprise: a couple of bottles of sparkling wine from a tiny southern Swedish winery she had recently visited and brought back to Italy.

Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 01:38:00 +0000

Just south of Padua, the Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills) rise gently from the plains, their cone-shaped profiles shaped by ancient volcanic activity and centuries of careful human stewardship. These hills form one of Italy’s most quietly compelling wine regions, where modern red wines combine history, character, and remarkable drinkability.

Savoring Piedmont: Monferrato Casalese’s Wine and White Truffles

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 03:37:00 +0000

Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside Langhe and Roero, charms with its vineyard-covered hills and medieval villages, but its true allure lies in its wines and truffles. Recently, the region came alive at the 58th International White Truffle Fair “Trifola d’Or” in Murisengo, where the rich aroma of truffles mingled with the crisp autumn air and the clink of glasses filled with local wines. Even when a blanket of the region’s famous nebbia shrouded the landscape, it added a mystical beauty, giving the hills and vineyards a dreamlike, almost cinematic quality.

Assisi: History Underfoot, the Future at La Locanda del Cardinale

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:37:00 +0000

La Locanda del Cardinale has always been one of those places in Assisi where time seems to slow down. Set inside Palazzo del Cardinale, just a few steps from Piazza del Comune and the Basilica of Saint Clare, the restaurant has long been known for its rare ability to blend history, elegance, and serious gastronomy. Today, however, there’s a fresh reason to walk through its heavy wooden doors. A new chef is steering the kitchen into a new phase.

Tuscan Wines from Tenuta Licinia in Lucignano: The Beauty of Flavor in Every Soil

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 02:50:00 +0000

Tenuta Licinia sits quite literally behind my house, yet it took a visit with James Marshall-Lockyer to fully grasp the depth of thought behind this small but serious Tuscan estate. Walking through the vineyards with him and his dogs, it quickly became clear that Licinia is not just a place where wine is made, but where ideas are tested, refined, and translated into the glass. James, born and raised in England with a doctorate from Oxford, speaks about wine much like one might speak about philosophy or art, focusing on balance, texture, freshness, and the quiet beauty of flavor.

Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:40:00 +0000

Tasting Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023 offers a clear window into the philosophy of Château Grand’Grange. The grapes come from south and south-east facing vineyards at around 300 meters on granitic sandy soils, ideal for 100% Gamay. All harvesting is done by hand, preserving freshness and precision. Fermentation lasts about two weeks, using a mix of 50% destemmed fruit and 50% whole clusters, with gentle punch-downs and pump-overs guided by tasting. Aging is seven months, mostly in stainless steel for vibrant fruit, with a touch of barrel for texture and subtle spice.

Osteria Le Logge: Where Tuscany Sits Down to Eat in Siena

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 17:52:00 +0000

Gianni Brunelli, founder of Osteria Le Logge, often said, “Eating is important, but eating well is essential,” a phrase that still defines the spirit of the restaurant. Tucked into a narrow medieval street that climbs from Siena’s main piazza toward the ancient Pope’s Lodge, just steps from Piazza del Campo, Le Logge feels inseparable from the city itself. It was here, in 1977, that Gianni and his wife Laura transformed their shared, instinctive love for food and wine into a place where warmth, elegance, and a quietly cosmopolitan soul could naturally coexist.

Vinchio Vaglio and the Heart of Monferrato: Wine, Culture, and Culinary Heritage

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:53:00 +0000

Monferrato unfolds like a living canvas of vineyards, rolling hills, and sunlit or often in autumn, magical with the nebbia when it sets in the slopes , where centuries of history meet human devotion. Here, every corner tells a story—of resilient growers, of noble families, of kitchens where tradition and innovation coexist. My journey through this region was anchored by the Cantina Cooperativa Vinchio Vaglio, a cooperative that has shaped Monferrato’s identity since 1959. Around it, the landscape revealed museums, artisanal treasures, and trattorie that celebrate local flavors, painting a portrait of a land as generous as it is demanding.

Pizza Night with Greece and Italy at Allegrìo on Via Veneto, Rome

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 23:01:00 +0000

Some dinners stand out not just for the food, but for the story they tell, and “Allegrìo’s Friends – Greece & Italy” was one of those nights—a vibrant meeting of Mediterranean traditions hosted at Allegrìo on Rome’s iconic Via Veneto. On November 20, 2025, three acclaimed pizza masters came together for a one-evening collaboration: Giovangiuseppe Aiello and Daniele Cretì, Allegrìo’s Master Pizzaiolo and Executive Chef, and Nikos Sotiropoulos, Athens’ most celebrated pizzaiolo and two-time 50 Top Pizza award winner. Their shared passion for high-quality ingredients, pizza innovation, and Mediterranean roots created a unique culinary experience in the heart of Rome.

Grosjean Vins: 400 Years of Heroic, Winemaking in Italy’s Aosta Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 16:27:00 +0000

High in the Aosta Valley, where dramatic slopes meet crisp alpine air, the Grosjean family has cultivated vines since the early 1600s. Their story is one of heritage shaped by passion, with each generation caring for the same mountain soils. The modern rise of the estate began in the 1960s when Grandfather Dauphin committed fully to winemaking and bottled the family’s first Ciliegiolo. Its warm reception at the 1968 Exposition des Vins du Val d’Aoste marked a defining moment and inspired his sons — Vincent, Giorgio, Marco, Fernando, and Eraldo — to refine their craft and strengthen the growing winery through dedicated roles and shared purpose.

White Gold of Umbria: The 45th Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato in Città di Castello

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 22:33:00 +0000

Every autumn, the Umbrian town of Città di Castello transforms into the beating heart of Italy’s truffle culture for the Salone Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato, a festival celebrating the region’s most prized delicacy — the white truffle. Known scientifically as Tuber magnatum Pico, this rare and aromatic fungus grows beneath the roots of oak and poplar trees and can only be discovered with the help of specially trained dogs. Its intoxicating scent, delicate earthy flavor, and seasonal rarity make it a true luxury, with prices often exceeding €6,000 per kilogram. The white truffle of the Upper Tiber Valley embodies the region’s soul — a symbol of patience, dedication, and deep respect for the land.

La Clandestina Cocktail & Food: The Secret Pulse of Arezzo

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:01:00 +0000

Hidden within a historic building on Corso Italia, in the very heart of Arezzo, lies La Clandestina Cocktail & Food—a place where memorabilia from different eras come together to create a playful, time-bending atmosphere for one of the city’s most intriguing bars.

Inside Out Menu by Allegrío Rome: Where Emotion Meets Italian Flavor

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:20:00 +0000

On the iconic Via Veneto, where the echoes of La Dolce Vita still hum beneath the Roman sun, Allegrío continues to redefine the art of dining. Led by Creative Director Sabrina Corbo, this vibrant restaurant is more than a place to eat; it is a space where flavors become feelings and color meets cuisine. Each visit is a celebration of joy, memory, and human connection — the very essence of what Allegrío calls its Emotional Dining Experience.

A Table in Testaccio: Discovering Rome at Romeo

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:35:00 +0000

In the most genuine of Rome’s neighborhoods, Testaccio, where daily life unfolds between market stalls, neighborhood bars, and the hum of local conversation, Romeo, founded by Massimo Scordino, opened its doors this past March. The restaurant fits naturally into the area’s rhythm — a place that doesn’t chase trends or reinterpret tradition, but simply honors it. It celebrates true Roman identity through honest cooking, convivial energy, and the kind of warmth that feels instinctively familiar to anyone who’s ever sat at a Roman family table. With its 150 seats, a spacious outdoor area, and a welcoming, informal atmosphere, Romeo is designed as a place where you come to eat well and stay because it feels like home.

Austria in Layers: How ÖTW Defines the Character of Its Vineyards

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 22:42:00 +0000

From the Danube Valley to Burgenland and beyond, a tasting of 560 ÖTW Erste Lagen wines reveals how Austria’s vineyards express their landscapes, histories, and identities in every glass.

Austria’s wine country may seem small on the map, but it contains worlds within it. From river valleys carved millions of years ago to sunlit terraces of loess and limestone, each landscape shapes its own story in the glass. Holding these stories together is ÖTW – Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (Austrian Traditional Wine Estates), a collective of winemakers dedicated to identifying and protecting the nation’s most expressive vineyards. Their mission is to help drinkers, whether novices or experts, understand Austria not just as a place, but as a mosaic of terroirs — each layered with history, geology, and the quiet work of the vine.

Pasqualina Frascati | Sincere, Revisited Italian Cuisine with Local Wines & Authentic Dining

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:01:00 +0000

In the spring of 2025, a new story began to unfold in the hills of Frascati. Pasqualina opened its doors with quiet excitement and a clear purpose: to be a home for sincere cuisine, the kind that tells stories, evokes memories, and celebrates freedom at the table. Born from the shared vision of chefs Daniele Bonanni and Simone Giuliani, Pasqualina is more than a restaurant; it is a living expression of their philosophy. “Don’t just call it an osteria or a gourmet restaurant,” they say. “Pasqualina defies definition.”

Oasi Kadir: From Farm to Table on the Outskirts of Rome

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 12:12:00 +0000

Just beyond the bustle of Rome’s city center, in the city’s northeastern hills, lies Oasi Kadir—an expansive 200-hectare agritourism estate and restaurant set within the serene Marcigliana Natural Reserve. Since opening in 2018, Oasi Kadir has become a haven for those who cherish authentic flavors and sustainable, zero-kilometer cuisine. Here, sustainability, tradition, and culinary artistry blend seamlessly, and every dish tells the story of the land from which it was born.

Meet Trebbiano Spoletino: Montefalco’s White Counterpoint to Sagrantino

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 23:46:00 +0000

In a land long celebrated for the power of its reds, a once-forgotten white grape is quietly reclaiming its place at the table. Trebbiano Spoletino, Montefalco’s luminous counterpart to the mighty Sagrantino, enchants with its elegance, versatility, and depth. Though its name recalls the ubiquitous Trebbiano Toscano, the two share no kinship — modern DNA studies confirm that Spoletino is a variety entirely its own, native to the hills between Spoleto and Montefalco. Once nearly lost to time, it now rises as a symbol of Umbria’s authenticity and terroir, a grape whose voice is finally being heard again.

Pici & Co.: Where Tuscan Pasta Tradition Is Hand-Rolled

noreply@blogger.com (Rowena Dumlao - Giardina) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:43:00 +0000

In the heart of Valdichiana, in the town of Foiano della Chiana, stands Pici & Co., a small restaurant and pasta laboratory dedicated to preserving one of Tuscany’s most beloved culinary traditions: handmade pici. Set just across from the lively Valdichiana Outlet Village, a favorite stop for both locals and travelers, the space may be modest—but inside, it hums with the warmth of family, craft, and community.