Cool morning air blows down from the Alpine mountains into Ivrea, in Piedmont, northern Italy and mingles with the scent of oranges, stacked in quiet street corners and squares ready for the city’s annual carnival, the Battaglia delle Arancie (Battle of the Oranges). It’s mid-February and time for the carnival, in which locals pelt each […]
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There’s a lot of energy in the air at the La Vedetta winery. Lying in the heart of the vine-covered rolling hills of Barbaresco, an extraordinary part of the wine-producing region of the Langhe, the winery is blessed with great soils, magical micro-climates and amazing views. But in the middle of February, the energy is […]
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Italian barrel makers working with Croatian and French foresters seek out the best trees to shape into barrels to hold ageing, fermenting foods and drinks from wine and beer to vinegar and gherkins. Choosing the right tree that will give up its secrets and transform the tastes, flavours and value of the liquids is no […]
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The story of migration is often confused with urgent, immediate crises that are too framed in political arguments and priorities. But the movement of people, whether across country borders or crossing continents has been witnessed for millenia, and with that flow comes food and drink. The routes of these issues and many more can be […]
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Food production is the single biggest impact that humans have on nature, says Tristram Stuart, founder of the UK-based Toast Ale and activist for sustainability across the food and drink world. Stuart’s words can be found in a new book, Gather & Nourish, put together by a niche publisher carving a name for itself for […]
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With one family name and two Christian names the history of the Cravero family of Bra, Piedmont is told in cheese – towers of golden, ripening rounds of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Through five generations of affineurs (alternately named Giacomo and Giorgio) the current head of this Italian family business Giorgio Cravero is an engaging enthusiast for the […]
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When burning hot ash rained down and swirling clouds of toxic gases spewed out of Mount Vesuvius some 2000 years ago, the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum were covered and forgotten. Early last year I was travelling through southern Italy around Naples with a group of university classmates on a study trip visiting pasta makers, […]
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Flaky, sweet, shiny and irresistible the tradition of eating a ‘Galette des Rois’ in early January brings a delicious end to the Christmas season. It’s January 6th and after a quick stop to see family in Paris, I’m driving through a frosty, chilly France en route back to Italy and my life in Piedmont, northern […]
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High on a hilltop in Tuscany sits the village of Buggiano Castello is home to the most exquisite gardens filled with fragrant citrus trees, lemons, oranges, mandarins, pomellos….
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A vigorous swirl of finely battoned turnip in a generous splash of vinegar, rice is best, and chemistry takes over. The once clear bowl is suddenly vivid purple. Let it rest for a few minutes and then a forkful of this fresh, bright vegetable is irresistible. Taking small bites, you feel energised, fresh and wanting […]
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