Back at the end of 2007, I wrote a blog with the details of making Brunello di Montalcino and its "cousin", Rosso di Brunello, when they could be marketed, etc. While the wine has been the major industry of Montalcino and a source of local pride, it is now a source of embarrassment since late last year a prosecutor has been investigating whether some of the major producers of the wine have been violating the laws that determine whether or not their product can bear the name brunello. More than… Continue

Today's Wall Street Journal Online has an article that could negatively impact Untourists! Beginning May 5th, United and US Airways will only allow ONE checked baggage per traveller! A 2nd checked bag will cost $50 per round trip. Virgin Atlantic will also only allow one checked bag. American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and Southwest will continue to allow 2 checked bags, at least for the foreseeable future. A third bag or one that is oversize or overweight (50 pounds or more) will incur v… Continue

As a lover of all things Italiano, I've been reading a good many books lately about Italy. All have been fiction until now, and I'll tell you about them in a later blog. But now I have found Ferenc Mate, a writer by profession, and his wife, Candace, an artist who paints mainly in oils. Most of Mate's books have been about boats, sailing and boat-building but he has now written two books' about Tuscany - and they are outstanding. Both are true stories about their move from New York City to Ita… Continue

BRUNELLESCHI'S DOME

The landscape of Florence is dominated by the magnificent dome of the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, whose foundation stone was laid in 1296 and took 140 years to construct. In those days, the economy of Florence was based on agriculture and its products and its wealth was concentrated in members of guilds, mainly those of wool, silk and goldsmiths. They were determined to build a cathedral that would be one of its kind in all the world.

I have just finished r…

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It was so enjoyable reading the Cafe staff recommended article in the New York Times about fly-fishing in Greece. Just hope the fishing is still good there, in view of the terrible fires they are having. The article brought back wonderful memories of many hours spent with youngest son, Jim, trying to perfect the art of attracting a fish to the fly, and thought I'd share a few photos of these efforts.

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