Tag Archives: Italy

Italy, Wines

Wine Notes: Prosecco DOCG

 

What I Learned

The region producing Prosecco DOC wines maybe be found throughout northeastern Italy in the provinces of Belluno, Pordenone, Treviso, Padua, Gorizia, Udine, Venice and Vicenza. However, two major production districts within the Veneto region, in the Province of Treviso, are particularly well-known: Conegliano and Valdobbiadene (stress on the second “A”, in case you wondered). This is the designated Prosecco DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) area, a higher quality level than the Prosecco DOC. Conegliano anchors the eastern part of the area.

Continue reading Wine Notes: Prosecco DOCG →

Hiking, Italy, Nutshell

Anello del Prosecco: Trail in a Nutshell

Trail Name: Anello del Prosecco (Prosecco Circuit)

Trail Type: A short to medium distance circuit; very diverse surfaces (asphalt, trackless, cart trail, dirt), somewhat maintained; the route itself is marked diversely, and sometimes not at all.

Length:

Total – 15 kilometers/9.33 miles

Segment – 8.5 kilometers/5.25 miles

Convenient to: Valdobbiadene, Italy

Marking: Varies, sometimes following different CAI numbered paths (1019, 1014), and the occasional large iron stands with yellow and white signs waxing poetic on the wines and vines of the area.

Trail 1014b Signs

Continue reading Anello del Prosecco: Trail in a Nutshell →

Biking, Italy

Discovering Valle d’Aosta

 

Recently, I visited a quiet corner of Italy. That is almost a contradiction of terms nowadays, and often difficult to find in the summer. Seeking a refuge in the great outdoors, free from crowds, I came across a bike ride through vineyards in Aosta Valley. Since I had never been there, I decided to make the trip. What a trove of new discoveries of all sorts!

Aosta
Aosta

Continue reading Discovering Valle d’Aosta →

Italy, Wines

Wine Notes: Valle d’Aosta

 

What I Learned:

Valle d’Aosta (Aosta Valley) is in the northwest corner of Italy, where Italy, France and Franco-phone Switzerland meet. It is an autonomous region with a heavy French influence. This influence, and of course earlier Roman settlement in the region, means that wine and wine production figure heavily in local culture. Being not only in the north, but also at a rather high elevation, wine-making is a challenge. But it is one that local winemakers have accepted, especially those vintners close to the French border, whose vineyards lie at altitudes greater than 1000 meters above sea level. (In fact, these vineyards lying below the highest mountain in the Alps, Mount Blanc (itself over 4800 meters above sea level), include some of the highest vineyards in Europe.) While there are other contenders for the highest vineyard elsewhere in Europe, there can be no doubt that Aosta Valley winemakers work in seriously mountainous terroir.

Continue reading Wine Notes: Valle d’Aosta →

Biking, Italy, Nutshell

Tour dei Vigneti: Trail in a Nutshell

Trail Name: Tour dei Vigneti

Trail Type: Short to medium distance bicycling trail; almost exclusively paved, well maintained, but the route itself is infrequently marked.

Length:

Segments – 1.5, 3.5, 5, 5.5, 8 and 10 kilometers

Total –  10 kilometers/ 6 miles

Convenient to: Aosta, Italy

Marking: Green rectangular Sign with white lettering “Tour dei Vigneti” and a number

Signage for Tour dei Vigneti
Signage for Tour dei Vigneti

Continue reading Tour dei Vigneti: Trail in a Nutshell →

Biking, Italy

Celebrating the Bubbles

 

As wine tourism in Italy expands to include active options, there are more trails to hike or bike than ever before. I recently had another chance to visit Franciacorta. East of Milan, and just south of the sparkling clear waters of Lake Iseo, Franciacorta is an ideal location for a wine-themed biking vacation. The lake, in addition to being a beautiful, scenic backdrop, helps to moderate temperature; the hills shelter you and the vines from excessive wind; the wine villages are small, and charming. Best of all, it is quiet and laid-back: I encountered more people cycling than driving on some of the back roads.

Continue reading Celebrating the Bubbles →

Biking, Italy, Nutshell

Franciacorta Pas Dose: Trail in a Nutshell

 

Trail Name(s): Franciacorta Pas Dose/Itinerario 2/Percorso Blu (Blue)

Trail Type: Mid-distance circuit; surfaces mostly hard-packed gravel, or paved in built up areas; well maintained and fairly well-marked.

Length: Total – 30 kilometers/18.6 miles

Marking: Brown rectangular signage with white and blue writing (“Itinerario 2 Percorso Blu”)

Itinerario 2 Percorso Blu Pas Dose
Itinerario 2 Percorso Blu Pas Dose

Continue reading Franciacorta Pas Dose: Trail in a Nutshell →