Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   Will wonders never cease Date:   9/24/2019 7:58:08 AM

I had to logout to look at the replies.  Not for the first time, but it doesn't happen often, Archie and I agree on Italy, especially his comment about finding the smaller local restaurants off the beaten path.   We did that in Pisa and had an amazing lunch of bruschetta and meat and cheese plates along with a local bottle of Chianti Classico.  Five of us had an excellent lunch, bottles of water and a bottle of wine for 55 Euro.  And we got to meet the 84 year old owner who was apparently a very well known chef in Tuscany. One thing I would differ slightly with him is that I prefer Limoncello more than Vin Santo with dolce.  By the way, Vin Santo means Holy Wine and was made especially for priests to use in the consecretion of wine in the mass.  So much fun and glad Archie and I have found something in common.  If we ever met in person we would probably ignore the politics and compare notes on travel to Italy.  

Speaking of which, here is a test we did at one of our wine tastings at a small winery across the street from our villa.  Get a bottle of Chianti Classico (make sure it has the DOCG label) and a Super Tuscan or Vino Nobili (both of which are blends of Sangiovese and either Cabernet or Merlot).  Take a taste of both without food.  Most will prefer the blends.  But then do it again but first eat some meat or cheese and you will prefer the Chianti (pure Sangiovese).  It is meant to be consumed with food and it is much better that way, noticeably and surprisingly so.

And of course Goofy had to throw in his snark.  Glad to see others not getting sucked into his negativity on what was intended to be a positive thread.  He can't help himself as TDS is a very debilitating mental illness that clouds all judgement.  C'est la vie.