This is a response to a previous post I wrote – one that suggested that a glass of Italian wine be drunk as if it’s the first time it’s ever been tasted – as if it’s the last time it ever will be.

I wrote a poem inspired by that, from the point of view of having tried wine for the first time.
.

I.

Curious eyes
Trembling fingers
Glass lifted
I linger

Sniff, sniff
Mmmm…
Aaahhh…

To which the grape-red sea replies:
‘I know. I know.
Now, drink me’.
.

II.

First sip
and the world goes quiet
baited breath
Will she?
Won’t she?
Will she?
Won’t she?
.

III.

My tongue surrenders,
reports a smile to my lips…

This Cheshire cat
is a milk lover
– no longer!

.
My invitation to you is to write your own poem or story about your first glass of Italian wine (or any other wine, for that matter). (p.s. your poem doesn’t have to rhyme).

Now, you don’t have to remember what your first time was like. I don’t remember, but I wrote it as I would have liked it to have been.

And even if you do remember, feel free to embellish it with your own imagination. The world didn’t really go quiet when I tried my first glass, but I have the poetic license to make it so! You do, too.

Wine names sound so beautiful, don’t you think? And the histories behind some of them are so interesting. And with so many people who consume and appreciate Italian wine, I’m surprised there aren’t more poems out there!

So join me. Create. Have fun. It’s not about being a great writer – it doesn’t have to be perfect – in fact, let it not be! It’s just about exploring your imagination and expressing yourself.

If you do give it a go and choose to share what you’ve written, I’d be happy to read it. Send an email to thenamepoet (at) gmail (dot) com

Ciao!

(img by: batrace)

There are different explanations of where the word ‘Franciacorta’ comes from. Some say it originates from the words ‘franca curte’ which means ‘free of taxes’. In the olden days, large properties belonging to Benedictine monks took up great parts of the area and were exempt from taxes. Others say ‘Franciacorta’ means ‘small France’, a name given to it in 744AD by Charlemagne, the King of France who apparently made frequent visits to the area.

Regardless of the exact origin of the name, Franciacorta has grown to be known as the producer of great quality sparkling wines, being the first Italian sparkling wine to receive a DOCG classification (meaning the wine is attested to be authentic and of the highest quality).

Although Franciacorta has been producing still red and white wines for a very long time, it was really its decision, 40 years ago, to start producing sparkling wines that catapulted its success and put it on the map.

The main wine grape used to produce sparkling Franciacorta is the white Chardonnay, with a small proportion of the white Pinot Bianco, the red Pinot Grigio or the red Pinot Nero grape.

The types of sparkling wines produced include: Franciacorta Extra Brut (the driest of the range), Franciacorta Brut (not as dry), Franciacorta Satèn (less sparkling, often made from 100% Chardonnay grape), and Franciacorta Rose (dry, contains a small amount of Pinot Nero grape for colour).

(img by: Kyle May)

You can search for a whole range of wines on their site – Red, Rose, White and Sparkling – including Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Nero.

Of particular interest are their ‘mixed case’ package offers which include 12 bottles of different wines per case. They have 13 types of these offers. For instance, for the Italian-wine novice, they have an ‘Introduction to Italy’ offer consisting of 12 different bottles of ‘carefully chosen’ wines. And for the connoisseur, they offer a ‘Fine Wine Collection’ case – a collection of 12 top-quality wines from some of the most revered wine makers Italy has to offer.

They have other interestingly-titled packages like ‘Central Fantasy’ which is a selection of wines from the Central part of Italy (for e.g., Chianti Classico, and Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico); selected wines from North-western Italy called ‘North West Treasures’ (Barolo, Asti Spumante); and hand-picked wines for celebrations called the ‘Party Selection’ (Merlot, Trebbiano, Chardonnay).

(Some of these packages include a bottle of virgin olive oil for one of the 12 bottles. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yes! Food! The virgin olive oil would be a wonderful encouragement to step in the kitchen and rustle up some good old home-made Italian food to go with the wine).

The Italian Wine Society also has a list of the wine producers they do business with. You can click on a specific producer’s name to find out what wines they make and make a purchase if you like.

All in all, the society has a range of prices to suit your pocket, from the affordable ‘Easy Value’ wines to the more expensive wines.

(img by: Cappellmeister)

MOUSSE- PERLAGE:

White mousse, lively, particularly small, compact and long-lasting perlage.

COLOUR:

light, bright green gold.

AROMA:

well pronounced, particularly fine and complex, with dominant floral notes of hawthorn, absinthe and dry bay leaf.

FLAVOUR:

dry, exceptionally elegant and pleasant, with a very long aristocratic finish of jam and incense. It has a persistent backbone with a silky texture and excellent breed.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 6 °C

I tried this with an hors d’œuvre made of crudités with artichoke, foie gras, and Gorgonzola mousse… wonderful
Website: http://www.bellavistasrl.it