In Praise of Sagrantino

Sagrantino grapes just ready to be picked

The best kept wine secret of Italy is, without any doubt, Sagrantino di Montefalco. This wine is made of 100% Sagrantino grape from the hills and valleys around the tiny village of Montefalco, in southern Umbria. What makes this Italian native grape so special is that people simply forgot about it for many, many decades. In fact, the Sagrantino grape' history is well documented since medieval times. This allowed a group of passionate, small local wine makers to search for abandoned and overgrown vineyards, in search of the perfect Sagrantino. Seeds were collected, new vineyards were planted so today we can drink this precious wine again. Still today, there are only 30 Sagrantino producers.

Sagrantino di Montefalco is in the same league as Brunello di Montalcino or Barolo, with a similar price tag but with even more character. Sagrantino has a very, very strong personality, is extremely aromatic, very tannic, spicy, with a definite taste of wild berries and, yes, chocolate. The notes of chocolate and spices come from ageing for at least 12 months in old oak barrels (according to Italian law). Of course, none of those 'barriques' that the French like so much.

If you want full alcohol content (14,5%) get a 2003 vintage bottle (remember how hot the summer of 2003 was?). Otherwise, we are usually around 13.5%, with vintage 2004 gaining popularity. Have Sagrantino with strong cheese and black olives, not necessarily with a full meal. I always offer Sagrantino di Montefalco during our wine tasting evenings, part of our 5 Day Italian cooking holiday programme. It's great to share such a special and different wine with my clients (and watch their reaction to it!)

Sagrantino di Montefalco is awarded DOCG ('Di Origine Controllata e Garantita', 'Of protected and Guaranteed Origin') denomination from the European Union, a seal of absolute quality. It exist in a sweet, dessert version called 'Sagrantino Passito', delicious and very, very expensive.

Chef Guido and Sally
Founders of Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays, Virtual  and In- person Italian Cooking Classes and Guido’s Cook Club Monthly Membership, Winery Tours and Olive Tours

Convivio Rome Italian Cooking Holidays

One Day Italian Cooking Classes

Half Day Rome Olive Tours

Half Day Rome Winery and Wine Tasting Tours

Virtual Italian Cooking Parties

Online Cooking Classes with Chef Guido

Corporate Virtual Cooking Events

Guido's Cook Club Monthly Membership

Online Video Italian Cooking Package

Hot Italian Mulled Wine - Vin Brulé for the Festive Season

Image courtesy of giallozafferano.it

Italian hot mulled wine or vin brulé (the Italians use the French word) is very popular in winter time, especially at Christmas markets and during the Festive Season and New Year's Eve. We will be making vin brulé when we get together with friends to celebrate the Winter Solstice solstizio d'inverno. The Winter Solstice in Italy and for the northern hemisphere, will be on the 21st December, this year.

Being in the countryside, therefore more aware of the rhythms of the seasons, I now understand why the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year, should be celebrated. It signals a powerful transition point between seasons and a great reason to get together with friends to celebrate that the days, from now on, will become longer.

To help you celebrate the forthcoming Festive Season and New Year with good cheer.... here is our recipe for Vin Brulé. Enjoy! 

Vin Brulé
Serves approx. 50 glasses 
Ingredients: 
5 litres of dry red wine ( we used the local red grape called 'Sangiovese')
1/2 litre of orange juice
125 g sugar (according to taste)
8 cloves
15g cinnamon sticks (about 5)
1 teaspoon nutmeg powder
2  or 3 large oranges, peeled and sliced

Method:
1. Pour wine and orange juice into a large saucepan. Add the sugar and mix well.
2. Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg powder  and thinly sliced oranges to the wine. Stir.
3. Heat gently for about 15 to 20 minutes without allowing the mixture to boil. Stir occasionally and taste for sweetness. Add more sugar if desired.
4. Serve vin brulé warm or hot  (in heat-resistant glasses).
Enjoy!

Auguri di Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

www.conviviorome.com

www.winetoursrome.com

A stroll in the Sabine Hills, from one medieval town to another

The Sabine Hills, just north of Rome, is a great place to get away from all the 'hustle and bustle' of day-to-day life. Come for a morning, for a full day or take a vacation here. It is amazingly untouched here. The air is fresh, you are surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, sheep, medieval hilltop villages, monasteries and winding country roads. It is a perfect place to rest, relax, unwind and learn something new, in a fun and family home environment.

Here are a few photos I just wanted to share with you, when I took a stroll with our daughter Gemma and puppy dog, 'Rocky', from our home in Castelnuovo di Farfa (near a very the beautiful hilltop medieval village, of the same name) to the monastic village of Farfa (called locally, Abbazia di Farfa).  The weather is changing from Summer to Autumn, and the slight breeze and shade as we walked made it very pleasant.

I live here, and this short stroll reminded me of how beautiful our immediate area, between 3 medieval villages: Castelnuovo di Farfa, Farfa and Toffia. I hope you agree.

Local farmhouse with free range chickens and flocks of sheep for the local pecorino cheese.

On the final leg of the walk, between olive groves, and onto Abbazia di Farfa

www.conviviorome.com

www.winetoursrome.com

The magic of the Sabine Hills, captured: Farfa e Fara Sabina

Sabina is a small agricultural region just 40 kms north of Rome, surrounded by olive groves, medieval hilltop villages and ancient Monasteries. It is spectacular here. Sabina, is known as 'The Sabine Hills' (to English speakers) and in my opinion, far more beautiful, unspoilt, and far less touristy than Tuscany and Umbria.....and yet no one has ever heard of this area.

Convivio Rome runs 3 and 5 night Italian cooking Holidays. Half Day and One Day Italian Cooking Classes, Olive Tours and Wine Tours within this region.

This wonderful 2 minute video, taken by 'visitlazio.com' is breathtaking.

We hope you will be inspired to come and visit us and Convivio Rome

www.conviviorome.com

www.winetoursrome.com

Ancient Roman Wines Rediscovered in the Sabine Hills, near Rome

The Sabine Hills (Sabina), a relatively unknown, yet very beautiful country area just north of Rome, wine (as well as olive oil) has been produced for millennia and greatly appreciated in ancient Rome. The River Tiber, which eventually reaches the Capital, provides the perfect soil composition for wine making. 
Today, a small number of boutique wineries have emerged, thanks to the passion and creativity of their owners. Some grapes that are grown here may be unusual, but they are the result of a process which involves reviving ancient traditional Italian varieties.

To read more, please read Guido Santi's full article on the Sabine Wines written for goitaly and About.com 'Rome Wines in the Sabine Hills of Northern Lazio

Convivio Rome Half Day Rome Wine Tours are conducted all year round. 

Further information can be found on http://www.winetoursrome.com