Week seven of wine adventures in Piedmont It was as if someone had yanked up the thermostat overnight, gazumping spring in favour of summer. For since May 1st the temperature has risen dramatically to 30-35 degrees celsius by day and 23 by night, forcing all but mad dogs and Englishmen to hibernate in the middle of […]

Week six of wine adventures in Piedmont From somewhere – who knows where? – Papa Silvio summoned up funds to help not just Abruzzo’s earthquake victims (word has it that Chinese and American themed villages are on the table), but also those among the Langhe hills, marginally less traumatized by recent rains. For the rain, coming on […]

Week five of wine adventures in Piedmont It’s not everyday you find yourself in the back of a British-built, racing green Bentley, coursing through some of Italy’s most prestigious vineyards on a secret mission! But then again, how often are you called upon to assess one of Montalcino’s top addresses on behalf of a prospective buyer, […]

Week four of wine adventures in Piedmont The only crunch the Ferrero chocolate factory in Alba can surely have endured came as a result of the pre-Pasqua surge for its Kinder eggs, a fine selection of which were on display at the altar on Easter Sunday. Whoever said the Church is out of touch should […]