VittlesVamp

My Winery in Tuscany

It's impossible not to fall in love with the hills surrounding San Gimignano.

I fell. I fell hard. My tumble was complete when I visited the vineyard above - Fattoria di Fugnano.

It was hard to resist the urge to stay outside to admire the scenery, but was eventually coaxed indoors for lunch and a wine tasting.

Happily, the table looked very promising...

Wafer thin slices of salumi, and wedges of sharp pecorino were surrounding a perfectly ripe and runny slab of gorgonzola on an oversized platter. Further down the table, a wooden slab paddle board held slices of bread, lightly glossed with fresh butter, each topped with the salty swirl of an anchovy

Now, was the time for corks to be popped, glasses to be poured, swirled and sipped.

Bottle after bottle, a joyous bear of a man named Jacob led us through the tasting. Vernaccia and Chianti. Blends of Chardonnay and Vernaccia, and Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pure ruby red Sangiovese and a Spumante Rose made with Sangiovese as well..

I ordered a case to be sent to me back in Brooklyn. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. If anything, you should be wrangling for an invite to my next dinner party, so you can enjoy a sip or two.

But today, I have to raise a toast to Jacob - and most especially to the inspiring Laura Dell'Aira, who is the winemaker and vineyard owner behind Fattoria di Fugnano. My glass is raised in salute, and let me say (in broken Italian) - La bellezza della tua fattoria sarebbe stata sufficiente per meritare i miei ringraziamenti, ma il tuo vino abbagliante e la calorosa accoglienza hanno guadagnato la mia più profonda gratitudine.

My Bar in Florence

In order to feel like I know a city, I need to have found a bar. Not any bar. A bar that speaks to me. Sometimes it can be a wine bar or brew pub, but more often than not it is a cocktail lounge, a place that lets me embrace my inner cocktail nerd.

Who am I kidding? Out-and-about cocktail nerd.

And, so, I needed to find my bar in Florence. It took a few nights and then I found it: Manifattura. It's a slip of a bar, dark and elegant, with a magical 50's retro sensibility. Moreover, its barkeeps are firmly committed to serving all things Italian from behind the bar. Bitter amaros like Campari, Montenegro, Cynar, and Zucca Rabarbaro are in play.

And, they play very well...

More play in my own home will be necessary. Amaros may likely take centerstage in cocktails made at Chez Vamp in the coming weeks. Saluti!