MARVELLOUS Food and wines and judging literally thousands of wines a day as a member of the prestigious Concorso Enologico Enologico Internazionale panel of wine judges is hard work…really! But so much FUN!!!! The best part is when music form Ennio Morricone plays just as all the wine judges are settling in at about 0900. The theme from that hit ‘sphagetti western’ starring Clint Eastwood entitled The Good, The Bad and The Ugly put all the international wine judges ina good mood ready to taste and judge amazing wines from all over the world in the biggest wine competition in the world!
I am based in the 14th Century palace of the Scaglieri that is now the 5 star luxurious Hotel Due Torri Baglioni facing the historic Chiesa Sant Anastasia. It is really amazing to soak in the history and culture of this romantic city of Romeo and Juliet. The other night, I dined wonderfully in the restorante of my friend Attilia called Al Cristo in the Piazzanetta Pescheria. a wonderful place for gourmets and wine lovers with even New Wave Sushi in the Veronese style. I always say, when fusion is done badly it is con-fusion but when dione well, it is simply divine. Tall and beautiful Attilia who lived for over 5 years in Hanoi, Vietnam has subtly infused the flavours of the mysteriuos Orient in to her food. It pleased me to help her create a new dish of Ravioli with crabmeat in a consomme like broth of blue swimmer crab. She had put ricotta with the crab meat but on tastiing, I felt no ricotta or very little would be better. In a flash her chef had made the new ravioli stuffed with only crabmeat and it was great!
Well, it is 0622 and I am going to jog to the River Adige, do my Ballet exercises and watch the sun rise over this Roman city of Love… O Sole Mio!
By Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet in Verona, Italy