Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy
Vincenza as we descended the hill on our way from our hotel to the train station.
In Italy, they add work and life onto food and wine. – Robin Leach.
Every step of our journey had been a gastronomic experience in the midst of the typical sightseeing. I can’t say that one was better than the other but as we got to the end, it was like we had saved the best for last.
The sunshine had deserted us once more as we made our way towards the Prosecco Hills amongst dark clouds and a slight drizzle. However, nothing could hide the beauty of the green patchwork of the small vineyards that dot the hills and valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see.
We were to taste the Prosecco at SOMMARIVA, Palazzo Rosso. First, we got the tour and an education into Prosecco production and bottle and packaging.
And then the main event, up a flight of stairs where we greeted by a beautifully set table already laid out with charcuterie boards, bread and condiments.
Then came the various vintages that had been selected for our tasting. Each one was accompanied by food that paired perfectly. A veritable feast that we enjoyed thoroughly regardless how short a time it had been since breakfast.
SOMMARIVA, does export to the US and I am going to look for my favorites here at the local wine stories.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and so we bid goodbye and headed off to the last item on our itinerary, Grappa.
Our stop was the beautiful town of Bassano del Grappa and the local Grappa that is distilled at a distillery called Poli.
As we approached the town, we were greeted to the beautiful sight of the Ponte Vecchio also known as the Ponte Degli Alpeni, a covered bridge that dates back to the 13th century.
Along the way we also got an education on the Alpini the famous mountain infantry that was formed to defend Italy's Alpine borders way back in 1872.
The day had been pretty overcast with some drizzle but as we approached the town and prepared to exit our transport for our guided walk the rain started to come down hard. To our amusement, Guilliana our guide had been playing a playlist of sunshine songs to no avail. Fortunately, we were prepared with raincoats and umbrellas.
The view from the bridge is breathtaking with the alps in the background and the colorful buildings of the town highlighting the river flowing through them. Armed with our cellphones and cameras, the entire group ignored Guilliana's request to make it to the grappa tasting first and then free times and pictures. Sorry some things just need to be done in a certain order, regardless of schedules.
A battle was fought here during World War II and many of the houses along the river still have bullet holes that one can see.
The elite fighting force the Alpini destroyed the bridge to try to stay the tide of battle, but the town was hard hit and about 30 of the Bassanese partisans were caught and hung along the street.
We did make it to the distillery and even posed and took pictures with the founder's statue and touched his hat for good luck as the sign suggested.
Watched a moved and toured the museum before making our way to the tasting room.
Grappa is definitely an acquired taste and for many of us it was one and done. It was so funny to see all the faces and grimaces around the room.
I couldn't resist waving to the two peeping toms who were looking at us through the little window overlooking the tasting room.
The town is very picturesque with its cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Shops selling all manner of pottery and other products as well as restaurants line the streets and plazas. Of course, our visit was wet and cold, and people congregated to the little cafe for a spot of hot coffee to warm up.
And lo and behold after a final dinner together and many hugs and goodbyes later @Ushrani and I were on a train from Vicenza to Milano. We became quite the experts on train schedules and statuses as we sat on the cold platform in Vicenza waiting for our train that was a half hour late.
Keep in mind we were also a half hour early given our American mentality of hurrying up to get everywhere. We made friends with a young man on the platform who gave us a quick tutorial on navigating the Italian train system that stood us in good stead for the remaining travel that we had planned. Poor guy I am sure he was very happy when his train came, and he could leave the two brash, needy, American ladies behind.
But the day wasn't over yet, after a fabulous vegetarian pizza at a small cafe near our hotel and a nap we were refreshed and ready for a night on the Naviglio Grande, the grand canal of Milan with its crowds of people enjoying the evening.
Finally, my first Aperol Spritz and Aperitivo Mailan style enjoying the sunset, the lively crowds and soaking in the atmosphere.
There's still a couple of days in Milan before we bid Italy Arrivederci.