Spring in Barbaresco

Spring arrived all at once!

The seasons in the northern Italy are very different from Portland, Oregon where winter rains turn to spring rains and the luscious green pervades all, in the Piemonte, we had a true, snowy, cold winter, replaced by a warm, blustery, flowering spring. The town of Alba is a showcase of colors and fashion and a delight of people watching.

The celebration of Easter is called Pasqua and the day after Pasquetta. It is kind of like Christmas eve and Christmas day reversed. The big celebration is Easter Sunday, and the Monday after is called Pasquetta and almost everything is closed. No advance signs or notices, it is one of those holidays that is just understood. The shops being closed doesn't stop people from taking their walk to town. for exercise, to socialize or to show off the family. They call it the passeggiata and it is a wonderful part of life here throughout the year.

We have have been adopted by the family of our friends and spent Sunday hanging out, and enjoying food, wine, conversation and sun, and Monday we all talked about going on a diet.

Just in case you are heading this way in May:

May 5, 12, 19 are the dates for the annual Barbaresco a Tavola dinners.

I first attended Barbaresco a Tavola, it gave me a whole new outlook on wine events. It is a unique experience to sit in a room filled with locals, many of whom are wine growers or wine makers who can clearly remember every moment of the harvest. The restaurants all put on a fixed menu and there are about 25 wines to taste, all from the same vintage.

I keep trying to sell a story on this event because it is just so.... perfect. Easy, laid back and fun.

If you have any questions, let me know and if you want to make reservations, they can help you at the Enoteca (they speak English):
http://www.enotecadelbarbaresco.it

Also - if fall is more your season (and why wouldn't it be since white truffles are in season), mark your calendar for October 14 and 15 it is the weekend of the 4th annual Barbaresco Wine Festival. The event is put on by our friend Franchino the owner of la gibigianna - www.lagibigianna.it - I am told the word gibibianna describes the sparkling that occurs when light hits water.

Ciao

Donna