Culinary & Wine Tours> Italy> Venetian Wine Sampler
Italy: Venetian Wine Sampler
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy - 5 nights
Meet: Venice
Depart: Verona
*It is necessary to
arrive in Italy the day before the tour begins, in order to meet the
morning shuttle.
Day 1 - Friuli's wine renaissance
Tucked into the northeast corner of Italy near Slovenia is the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Once called "a small compendium of the universe," it is truly a vortex of cultural crosscurrents. Settled by the Romans, dominated by the Venetians, then ruled by the Hapsburgs until World War I, Friuli combines Italian, Austrian, German, and Slavic characteristics in its culture and cuisine. We'll start our tour in one of Friuli's finest wine-growing areas, the hills near Gorizia, called the Collio Goriziano. After a welcome lunch at our hotel, itself a wine estate since the 15th century, we'll wind our way through the mountainous terrain to the vineyards of Livio Felluga and Borgo del Tiglio. Here we'll be introduced to some of the area's indigenous grape varieties: fresh, crisp Tocai Friulano; tasty Refosco, a red dating back to the Romans; and the vaunted dessert wine Picolit. Plus, we'll see why Italy's northeast is said to produce the country's finest whites when we sample their international varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Pinot Grigio. We'll then head into the city of Cormons, an important Roman outpost that today is considered Friuli's wine capital, and visit its enoteca or regional wine bar & shop. Dinner will be at our hotel near San Floriano.
Day 2 - Cooking Friulian style
We'll start the day with a cooking lesson and an in-depth look at Friuli's distinctive cuisine. Due to the Slavic and Germanic influences, you might find hearty vegetable soups with cabbage, pork, and beans; potatoes with cinnamon and butter; and delicious warm struddles with apple, pine seeds, and raisins. We'll lunch on the results of our cooking demonstration and sample the wines of our hosts, the Castello di Spessa. Next, we're off to the estates of two winemakers who helped transform Friuli into a world-class region for whites: Schiopetto, whose namesake is a living legend in Collio and now makes up to a dozen superior wines, including a fine Riesling; and Russiz Superiore, which makes classy whites and also has worked well with the red varieties in the area, including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Nero. We'll then return to our hotel for an Italian history lesson around the pool and time to relax. Dinner will be in San Floriano at one of the cozy local ristoranti.
Day 3 - Giotto in Padua
Today as we transfer to Verona, we'll make several stops along the way. First, we'll have our wake-up call at Nonino, the famous producer of premium grappa and amaro. In our tour of the factory, we'll see how these aromatic liquors are created. Continuing on, we'll then pass through Padua, home of the world's oldest university, and spend some time in this captivating Renaissance city. Passing by the arched colonnades and lovely wide piazzas, we'll head to one of Italy's art historical treasures, the Arena Chapel. Here we'll admire a fresco cycle by the great medieval painter Giotto, who paved the way for Michelangelo and other giants of the Renaissance. After lunch in Padua, we'll drive on to Verona and settle into our new accommodations. There will be time for a dip in the pool and a splash of some bubbly Prosecco before dinner. In this area east of Venice, the cuisine switches to an emphasis on seafood and more characteristic Italian fare, so dinner might include such regional treats as risotto with cuttlefish (risotto nero), pasta and bean soup (pasta e fasoi), thick spaghetti with duck ragout (bigoli con l'anatra), or the Venetian chocolate dessert tiramisu.
Day 4 - Shakespeare's Verona
Lovers of Shakespeare will finally get a chance to see Juliet's balcony as we tour the town of Verona. We'll visit Verona's bustling market in the Piazza delle Erbe and have time for shopping and lunch. We'll then pack off to Soave, an ancient walled city with a crenellated castle and dozens of charming tasting rooms. We'll stop by the elegant quarters of Giuseppe Coffele, then visit Pieropan and see how pioneers like Leonildo Pieropan have turned what was once an industrial white into a distinguished fine wine from single vineyards. We'll also tour the large underground cellars of the Cantina del Castello, where they dry the grapes for sweet recioto wines and have secret passageways linking to the castle. Tonight dinner is on your own in Verona.
Day 5 - Amarone: A jewel in Veneto's crown
The region of Veneto stretches all the way to Lake Garda, whose vast expanse produces a warm microclimate suitable for olive trees. The day begins with a visit to one of the area's olive oil producers, where we'll see how cold-pressed virgin olive oil is made. After lunch, the rest of the day is devoted to exploring Veneto's most prestigious red wine, Amarone. Its rich flavor is the result of drying the Valpolicella grapes on racks in airy lofts until the winter when the shrivelled grapes are pressed. We'll begin with one of the pillars of top-quality Amarone, Bertani, an estate that dates back 150 years and has an impressive Neoclassical villa where the aging cellars and drying racks reside. We'll then admire the panoramic view of Valpolicella from the property of Le Ragose, which also makes a delicious sparkling red wine, and wind up the afternoon at Tedeschi, a family-run estate for five generations. Our farewell dinner will be in a countryside trattoria featuring local cuisine and excellent wines.
Day 6 - Arrivederci!
A shuttle to Venice and assistance with your travel plans.
| BOOKING INFORMATION |
| 2007 FEES PER PERSON |
DEPOSIT |
Double Room......................... $2595
Single Room Supplement .........$280
Standard accommodations are two people per room. If you are traveling alone, we will assign you a roommate of the same gender, or you may choose to room alone by paying a private room supplement fee.
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After availability is confirmed, a non-refundable deposit of $400 per person and the completed and
the submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date.
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| 2007 DATES |
INCLUDED |
July 16-20
September 24-28
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Breakfasts
One (1) lunch or picnic
All dinners except one
All tastings and wine at dinner
Charming 3 and 4 star hotels, many in renovated villas, palazzi, abbeys, or
on wine estates and all with private baths
Transportation: We provide one van pick-up on day of arrival/departure at designated train station or airport (call for times). All ground transport during stay.
Not Included:
Airfare
Most lunches
Transportation to start/end points (except for above shuttle)
Personal expenses
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For further inquiries or to register, click here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations must be received in writing 60 days prior to the date of departure. You will receive a refund, less a $75/person cancellation fee (and less the $50 per person non-refundable booking fee). Between 59-45 days prior to the start date, you may apply 40% of the tour price towards a future trip departing within one year of the cancellation date. Cancellations made less than 45 days before the start of the trip will result in the loss of all monies received. No refunds will be made for a cancellation during the course of the tour, nor for unused portions of the trip. No exceptions to our cancellation policy are made, including weather or personal emergency.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
CLIENT REMARKS
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