I recently returned from a trip to Italy. Actually, this was for work. Yes, I know, how many people can say that they got paid to go to Italy, tour vineyards, wineries, drink wine and eat the most amazing food? Apparently, I sold enough of a certain Italian wine to garner a spot on this trip. Every morning I stepped outside my hotel and was in awe of the sheer beauty of the countryside, the Tuscan hills, the cities on hills, the massive cathedrals, the leaning tower, the statue of David. How did I get here? Every day I was grateful for all that I was experiencing. I could easily turn this blog into a giant advertisement for the wineries we visited and the wines we tasted. They were all amazing, but I am going to step outside the box for this blog and just write about the trip…

We started in northwest Italy, the Piedmont region. On our first stop we tasted Barolos and Barbarescos. To be honest, these are not my favorite styles of wine. Sure I can appreciate their depth, complex flavor and such, but I wasn’t in love. They definitely pair great with the local food though, so be sure to eat up when drinking these wines. This area is also known for Moscato d’Asti, a slightly effervescent, fruity and sweet wine. What’s not to love? Think you hate sweet wines? Try pairing it with food, either sweet desserts or go the opposite and pair with strong flavors, maybe cheeses or spicy foods. Delish.

We made our way south, climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa then headed to Tuscany. We tasted and ate our through this region. We sampled the most fabulous Brunellos, Chiantis, Cabs and blends. Seriously, I was in heaven. We had the most gracious hosts and ate the best foods. Meals were six courses and lasted for hours. We were exhausted and content.

The trip ended in Florence, where I extended my stay for a few days. Truly one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. My hotel was near the Duomo, a massive cathedral in the city center. Its size and beauty were awe-inspiring. The food, the wine, the museums, the streets, the people, the energy…

I am grateful every day for the opportunity that I had going on this trip. Never forgetting how hard I worked to get there and so blessed for the sights I saw and the people I met. Here’s my advertisement:  Come see me at ABC East Boca and I’ll introduce you to the amazing wines that I got to taste with the owners and wine makers while in Italy. Hope to see you soon. Grazie!

Bill Knowles, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits wine consultant

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebillk