Skip to main content

ITALIAN PLAYLIST - PAOLO CONTE

It's all snow over Tuscany: schools are closed, highways are in a mess and airports are total no goes. If you happen to be stuck in Siena you'll be able to kill time with a few life events. Not so if you happen to sit on a Tuscan hill, cut off from the rest of the world - nightmare or bliss? I'd say enjoy the forced winter break in Tuscany: put another log on the fire, open a bottle of wine and get those dusty records out...


Paolo Conte Vieni via con me - live in Amsterdam 

Paolo Conte is to Italy what Frank Sinatra is to the rest of the world. Okay that's a bold statement, but definitely true when it comes to my life. Forget anti-depressives. Certain cold temperatures or rough situations in life are best dealt with a glass of prime Italian wine, finest dark chocolate (Swiss one, obviously!) and Frank Sinatra or Paolo Conte swinging it in the background. That kind of setting will sort out nervous breakdowns and freezing off toes anytime. 

Just make sure the wine is up to the challenge. Right now the Siberian temperatures literally shout for 100% Sangiovese grape wines. So far me and my Tuscan native have been getting through: 


CUCCUVAIA -  a Greek winemaker following the trail towards Brunello.  
AD AGIO - Basilessa's flag ship wine. 
And one to the good old times - Mastrojanni's fab ROSSO DI MONTALCINO. 

More snow flakes on the way? Keep'em coming!


Find out more about Paolo Conte, Italy's grand master of Jazz on his website.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

WINE AND ARCHITECTURE: PETRA WINERY BY MARIO BOTTA

Southern Tuscany is home to a handful of wineries, which are often described as wine cathedrals.  The Petra vineyard near Suvereto (by architect Mario Botta) is an interesting example of this new approach in winery architecture. At Petra the world-class architect went beyond designing an impressive wine cellar, but also included the outlay of the vineyards in his aim to form a contemporary agricultural landscape.  Main building of the Petra Winery in Suvereto If it is true that the way to good wine starts in the he vineyard, it is also true that only the quality of the cork,  the design of the label,  and the beauty of the bottle shape will bring the consumer's experience to full circle.  Taking this thought further it's obvious that the birthplace of a good or even fantastic wine, is yes the vine and its grapes, but also the winery building in particular and the whole estate in general.  If you know any of Botta's works,  you'll recog...
Read on

Storytellers at the Todo Modo bookshop in Florence

I may not be religious, but I totally worship the Todo Modo bookshop in Florence for its beautiful interior design, central location - a ten-minute walk from the station and Ponte Vecchio - and the cafè hidden among shelves and plants hanging from the roof. UqBar serves some of the best lunches to be had in Florence - especially for people who'd love to forego the usual Tuscan fare for a delicious miso soup . But Todo Modo does another thing well. The shelf-filled spaces in the back can be turned into a small theatre which makes for a great event space among all the books. I had my Across the Big Blue Sea book presentation there and was back last month for a Storytellers night - the first event of a great new series.   Linda and Steve, the team from the The Beehive Hostel in Rome have decided to take their storytellers nights to Florence, and Todo Modo has agreed to host them. Whether residents or just travelling through, English speakers will have great fun...
Read on

SAN BIAGIO AT NIGHT - JUNE 7, 2019

San Biagio at night (with Montepulciano in the background) Day or night, San Biagio,  il tempio di San Biagio,  is always a looker. But it's a special treat to be able to visit the interior of the church all through the night.  As one of 150 churches in Italy, Montepulciano's famous temple church will stay open through the night for the ' La Lunga Notte delle Chiese' event. Concerts and various cultural happenings will take place during the long night of churches on June 7, 2019 from 9.15 pm.  Check the event website for details of the participating churches in Tuscany and all over Italy.  
Read on