My next great idea . . . selling vino sfuso here in the US! Get your bottles ready . . .

You can't really see it, but it says "gradazione alcolica 10,5%"!

I would assume that is for the liter but I didn't ask . . . 

VinItaly 2016 pictures . . . walking around Verona . . . .

Sushi and Japanese restaurants are all over downtown Verona.

Hamburgers are big in Italy and it seems Europe as a whole.  I didn't try any

This women's clothing shop stole my name!

But I kind of like the "Made in Italy" tagline, so I am going to steal it!

Francesco Cirelli at work . . . clay pot style . . .

Great Video of G.D. Vajra family . . .

Going to VinItaly? ViniVeri? VinNatur?

Meet me there?  Taste with my people?  Taste with me and my people?  Saturday I will be at ViniVeri and may take a detour to VinNatur and then Sunday through Wednesday, I will be in Verona at VinItaly.

Text me or email me if you want to do a quick tour of my people and taste their new vintages.

VinItaly - Verona

Abbazia di Propezzano -  Hall 12 E3-E4 - Abruzzo

Aia dei Colombi – Hall B, Stand Benevento #25 - Campania

Monte Santoccio - Hall 4 stand b6  - Veneto

Verdugo – ViVit Hall 8 stand F8-H10 -Veneto

Santa Caterina – ViVit Hall 8 stand F8-H10 - Liguria

Tre Monti - Hall 1 stand B8 - Emilia-Romagna

Cantina Favaro -  Hall 8 Collettiva FIVI Stand B8/B9 Posizione 11 - Piemonte

Vettori - Collettiva Hall 8 Colletiva FIVI padiglione 8 Stand B8/B9  - Veneto

G.D. Vajra/Luigi Baudana -  HALL 10 STAND M4 - Piemonte

Davide Carlone - Hall 12 Stand D4 - Sunday Only (at the Le Piane stand . . . )

Vini Veri - Cerea

Praesidium - Abruzzo

Ronco Severo - Friuli

VinNatur - Villa Favorita

Verdugo - Veneto

Outside the Fair - PIAZZETTA MUNICIPIO, 8 - VERONA (THIRD FLOOR) - After Hours Relax

Agricola Cirelli - Abruzzo

Ayunta Artisan Wines - Etna

Dinner with Giuseppe Vaira at Osteria Mozza - Tuesday, January 26th 2016 7pm

G.D. VAJRA WINE DINNER

with Giuseppe Vaira

The history of G.D. Vajra is one anchored in tradition and family values. Since the 1920s, the Vajra family possessed vineyards that only eventually became lucrative in the 1960s, after the Italian DOC system was formed and the popularity of Barolo went on the rise. By 1972, Giuseppe Domenico Vajra perfected his labor of love and formed the G.D. Vajra estate – a 40 hectare vineyard perched in the highest village of Barolo. The altitude here is the life force behind several wines, most notably their prized nebbiolo. With a matured ripening comes an innate elegance and intensity. The soil breeds the wines to be rich and fragrant. The climate lends to smaller batches, where the quality is palpable. As exemplified at the winery: “We believe in beauty, craftsmanship, attention to detail and creativity with respect for tradition” – and it shows.

Together with Giuseppe’s grandson, Giuseppe, we will embark on an exploration from this beloved winery – from Barbera to Barolo – alongside a five course menu from James Beard Award Winning Chef, Nancy Silverton, and Executive Pastry Chef, Dahlia Narvaez.

G.D. Vajra Wine Dinner

Tuesday, January 26^th 2016

7pm

Osteria Mozza’s Primo Ministro Room

6602 Melrose Avenue, LA 90038

$175 per person

excluding tax & service charge

Il Menu

NV Metodo Classico Rosé, “N.S. Della Neve”

First Course

2010 Langhe DOC, Riesling “Petracine”

2012 Langhe DOC, Riesling “Petracine”

SHAVED VEGETABLE SALAD with Bagna Cauda

Second Course

2009 Barbera Superiore DOC

2012 Barbera Superiore DOC

Tajarin with Pork ragù & Parmigiano Reggiano

Third Course

2009 Barolo, Cru Cerretta DOCG

2010 Barolo, Cru Cerretta DOCG

Squab Ravioli with pancetta & rosemary

Fourth Course

2008 Barolo, Cru Bricco delle Viole DOCG MAG

2010 Barolo, Cru Bricco delle Viole DOCG

Braised oxtail with celery

Fifth Course

2014 Moscato d'Asti DOCG

Meyer Lemon Panna cotta

A great little interview, in Italian, of Gianfranco Masiero . . . . and some photos of the vineyard and their biodynamic preparations . . .

Masiero Interview