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posted 21 August 2004 02:23 PM
Wine School at Enoteca Properzio in Spello
After lurking on this board for a few months, I decided to
make Spello my home base for a recent one week stay in
Umbria. Through the hotel where I stayed (the wonderful
Palazzo Bocci), a 3 day wine class was arranged at the
Enoteca Properzio.
The classes were in the evening which worked out well for
me, allowing sightseeing during the day (putting to use all
the info. I learned on this board. OK, I admit it: I did
make time to go to the cashmere outlet near Perugia).
The classes were taught by sommelier Danilo Marcucci.
Intense, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine,
Danilo was the perfect "professore". We began with the
history of wine and topics then ranged from the two proper
ways to open a wine bottle (done, of course, with Italian
elegance), to how wine is tasted, a glass is held, and the
all-important wine-food pairings.
Part of the course included visits to 2 wineries: Antonelli
and Paolo Bea in Montefalco. I am an organic gardner, so was
particularly excited to visit Paolo Bea, who produces wine
biodynamically. He is one of 5 producers in Italy who have
formed a consortium of biodynamic growers. We sampled his
Montefalco Rosso, Rosso Riserva, Sagrantino and Sagrantino
Passito. The visit to Antonelli was equally good, with
samples of Grechetto, Rosso Riserva and Sagrantino. Two
different wineries, two different styles, both producing
great wines.
The final night was unforgettable. Roberto Angelini, the
gracious, warm-hearted owner of the Enoteca, and Danilo
arranged a family dinner and wine-tasting at the store. It
was a perfect example of the best ingredients, simply
prepared, paired with great wines can make a stunning meal.
Danilo's brother brought in a big bowl filled with black
truffles that their father and his truffle hound had found.
Eggs for the frittata came from their mother's hens. Danilo
made the primo piatto of fettucine with truffle sauce
followed by the frittata with homegrown tomatoes and
zucchini. Finally, Vittorio, who is known for his "ceci",
prepared this dish topped with more truffles. I love
truffles, and like Mae West said: "Too much of a good thing
is a good thing". Somewhere in the midst of that Roberto
opened a bottle of 1966 Brunello. Nectar in a glass, and I
doubt I'll have the chance to try something like that again.
The evening ended with the perfect pairing of grappa with
chocolate.
Although my classes were arranged through the hotel, you can
see their website: www.enoteche.it
TXann
Texas
posted 22 August 2004 10:35 AM
I'll chime in as well, having stayed at Hotel Palazzo Bocci
for a few days in April. Lovely and gracious place, with
particularly nice public spaces. I didn't have a chance for
wine school (maybe another time), but I visited Enoteca
Properzio, experienced the warm hospitality of the Angelini
brothers, tasted wonderful wines and foods, and got their
guidance in making a few much-enjoyed purchases. -
Gedlin
Philadelphia, PA
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