WINE-KNOWS TRAVEL, INC.
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WINE-KNOWS TRAVEL, INC. |
Truffles & Northern Italy's Wines
October 2-11, 2018
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In addition to Piedmont, we’ll be visiting three other notable wine districts. The area surrounding Verona is home to beautiful Amarone wines. The Franciacorta region makes some of the world’s most complex sparkling wines. We’ll also have a tasting in the Soave area where brilliant white still wines are produced. The trip
will begin in Venice and end in the Piedmont district near Turin. You
should consider arriving early, or staying after the trip has finished
to experience these two wonderful cities. |
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Trip Highlights:
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Morning: Free. Afternoon: The trip begins in Venice, however, we’ll leave the city immediately and head west towards Verona. Our first stop will be in the Soave wine district, home to some killer whites, as well as complex Amarones. We’ll the check into our lodging for the next two nights located in the wine-draped hills above Verona. This remarkable 14th century property belongs to the descendants of Dante Aligheri, one of Italy’s most famous literary talents. Evening: The estate on which we’re staying offers an enticing array of culinary items including olive oil, a variety of jams, and honey. All will be available for tasting before dinner. Tonight we’ll dine in the formal dining room of the property on a menu featuring the region’s culinary specialties. |
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October 3: Stunning Lake Garda |
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Late morning: Today we’ll pay a visit to “Mecca” for the serious oenophile. This wine producer has won serious accolades from the international wine press for his outstanding Amarone. Afternoon: Lunch and free time at Lake Garda. Next, a tasting at another benchmark producer of Amarone. Evening: We’ll dine tonight at a local restaurant off-the-beaten-track spot, but frequented by winemakers. |
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Morning: Today we head to a terrific outdoor market in the magical town of Verona. Autumn produce will be at its prime, including wild porcini mushrooms, fennel, chestnuts and broccoli rabe. This gem of a city also boasts a stupendous Roman Colosseum that was built in the first century, as well as an array of attractive boutiques. The morning will be free for exploring and lunch. Afternoon: The next winery (on the wine list at many of Italy’s Michelin star restaurants), makes some of the most exquisite sparkling wine outside of the Champagne region of France. Then, we’ll settle into our hotel which offers panoramic views of Lake Iseo and the distant Alps. Evening: Dinner tonight will be at a lakeside restaurant. If the weather cooperates, we’ll dine on the outdoor terrace. |
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Morning: Free. Relax at the hotel, soaking up its jaw-dropping lake views, or walk to the nearby lakeside town. Afternoon: Our next two wineries are among Italy’s most revered. Made in the exact same fastidious way as French Champagne, these wines are among the best bubbles produced on the planet. Evening: Free |
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Morning: It will be difficult to tear yourself away from the beauty of Lake Iseo but today we head to further west to Piedmont, home of Italy’s earth-shaking Barolo & Barbaresco. In route we’ll stop at one of the most well-known areas for rice used to make risotto. Carnaroli rice is preferred by most chefs due to its ability to keep a firmer texture over the long cooking process. Today, we’ll learn about the fascinating cultivation of rice. Afternoon: Check into our hotel with time to unpack and soak up la dolce vita of our special villa. Evening: Not only is the villa a magnificent countryside hotel, but it just so happens to produce great wine. We’ll begin tonight with a tasting and tour of the historic cellars, then culminate with dinner in its well-regarded restaurant. Risotto will be on the menu, most likely prepared with truffles and/or wild porcini. |
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Morning: Wasting no time in partaking of the splendors of this region, our first stop will be a truffle factory where we’ll observe the process of turning this gastronomic jewel into truffle-infused oil, truffle paste, truffle butter, and truffle pasta sauce. Afternoon: Next on our star-studded lineup will be two extraordinary wine producers. Prepare yourself for the earth to move on these tastings as both of their wines are over-the-top. Evening: Tonight we’ll dine at the area’s best pizzeria. If you don’t like pizza there’s also some scrumptious pastas and salads. All, of course, with some rock-star wines. |
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Morning/Afternoon: Today is the Truffle Festival where the entire town of Alba is turned into a love-fest with the magnifico tartufo. This gala receives visitors from all parts of the country, from Milan to Sicily, in addition to devoted foodies and journalists from all corners of the globe. It’s a lively celebration but it’s also a serious affair: as truffles are the world’s most expensive food item, vendors selling them just may be surrounded by security. Evening: To finish this truffle-centered day, we’ll celebrate with a cooking class using truffles. |
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Morning: Today we’re off to Turin, site of the 2006 Winter Olympics. We’ll begin with a Gold Medal quality chocolate company. Here we’ll observe the entire process from the roasting of the cacao beans to the packaging of these high-end morsels. Finally, a tasting. Afternoon: Another 0lympian on the culinary scene in Turin is Eataly, Italy’s numero uno foodie emporium. Think Whole Foods meets William-Sonoma, with the addition of delicious eateries sprinkled throughout---from a pizzeria, to a mozarella bar, to a pasta-centric café. There’s something for any serious wine and food lover in this Gold Medal haven. Then back in the wine countryside, we’ll visit a superb producer of Barbaresco. Evening: Tonight will be a private dinner gala at one of Piedmont’s most illustrious wineries. |
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Morning: Today we have a very special outing to an extraordinary cheesemaker. We’ll view the entire process of turning milk into something incredible. And, these fabulous cheeses are imported to the US! Afternoon: Our last wine-tasting of the trip is at a family owned winery that produces some exceptionally high quality/price wines. Evening: Our farewell dinner will be at at a Michelin star restaurant where we will dine on locally sourced ingredients, prepared by a young mover-and-shaker chef. |
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Morning: The trip ends officially after breakfast. The town in which we we’ll be based is located 50 miles from the Turin airport and 100 miles from Milan’s Malpensa airport. Transfers to either airport can be arranged. |
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Links to the following: |
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State of California Seller of Travel # 2091232-40
