We departed from Milan on our six day Northern Italy wine tour with Tinto Travels, run by Peter and Nina Brinkman. We got connected with Peter and Nina when we stayed in their hotel in Evora, Portugal. When we departed from their hotel I checked the box “Let us know if you are interested in our wine excursions”, or something to that effect. I marked an “x” in the yes box, and the rest is history. We were supposed to do this trip last year, but the Wuhan Flu got in the way. Fortunately we were able to do it this year!
Our first stop was Azienda Agricola Lo Sparviere winery in the Franciacorta region of Italy, known for their sparkling wine. This sparkling wine has become quite famous, and rivals the French Champagne regions, particularly within Italy.
This winery is owned by the Beretta family…the same family that makes the famous weapons. I’m liking this sparkling wine more and more! Great wine holder!
The region has this Morainic soil from glaciers that came out of the local Alps, and make for excellent soil for vineyards. These soils are depicted by the white rocks below.
This is a Chris Stotka version of wine storage (Chris is a close friend, who likes to hunt, and also happers to be on this wine trip).
After visiting the winery, we had lunch at this truly excellent restaurant in the city of Revanto, Trattoria El Gallo. The beef carpacio was excellent, but the Chantrelle Pie, made with Chantrelle mushrooms, was out of this world good, and I normally abhor mushrooms! Sorry, no photos of the food here, just the good company.
Peter Brinkman in deep conversation. Or he’s thinking, did I leave the stove on? You’d have to ask him.
The food and wine was flowing freely. Nobody was going hungry!
This is Elena Ercole, who is associated with the wines we were tasting, explaining the characteristics of the currently poured wine.
Next we retired to the inside of the restaurant for the rest of our meal.
This wine was truly excellent! I also think this is what we called the Italian kids in 6th grade who were acting like dicks.
Kim really liked this light red wine from the Piemonte region. We will be visiting this area towards the end of our trip.
Paul Turina is Peter’s import manager for their wine store in Virginia. If you give him a chance he will talk your ear off….but I thought he had a lot of good shit to say, to be honest. Thanks Paul! Keep talking!
I have to say, the pasta dish we had at Trattoria del Gallo, homemade Casoncelli with melted butter and Grana Padano and Sage, is the best pasta dish I’ve had in at least 3 years, possibly longer. Holy crap is this good!!! This is worth a drive if you are anywhere near Revanto!
I thought this was the best wine of the day! Colline Teramane Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva. Truly excellent!
After lunch we drove to our hotel (Bellerive Hotel) for the next three nights, right on the edge of Lake Garda in the small down of Salo. Excellent view from our balcony.
That’s Peter and Nina down below, and Chris Stotka on his balcony staring up at me.
Kim and I took a walk along the waterfront and I actually pushed her around on this Merry Go Round ( I was shocked it wasn’t locked in place!)
The sky is just beautiful here, playing off the water.
We walked into the church shown above, where they were just wrapping up service. I was surprised at the beauty of this small chuch in this small town.
The wine group hanging by the pool. Surprisingly drinking wine, and assorted cocktails.
One last shot from the balcony. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
