As you are reading this article I am either on my way or have already arrived in the Valpolicella appellation of Italy. My host, Cosorzio Tutela Vino Valpolicella, has invited me to experience the wine, food and culture of this beautiful region. Because I will have limited access to WIFI and want to focus on being present for this fortuitous opportunity I want to share with you where I am going and the wineries I will be visiting.  Upon my return I will write follow up articles to describe what I am sure will be an outstanding experience. I would also like to give a special thank you to Federica Schir of Media Wine for inviting me to participate in this wonderful journey!

“The Consortium for the Tutelage of Valpolicella D.o.c Wines (Controlled Designation of Origin) is an association of wine growers, wine makers and bottlers which has been operating on the territory for over 40 years in preserving the quality of Valpolicella Wines and in granting the compliance with the winemaking norms established in the production specifications. The Consortium works in many sectors of activity, one of the most important of which is the total control over the wine production chain, from the vineyards to the bottle.”

On purpose of this journey is to use and provide feedback on an app designed by Consorzio Tutela Vino Valpolicella entitled Valpolicella Wines. This is a free app for iPhones and Androids. Please go to the app store and take a look at this app to see all the great information it offers travels to the Valpolicella region; including accommodations, wineries to visit, local restaurants, other area sites to discover and a map of the region. It is a very interactive, user friendly app to assist travelers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you think of Valpolicella you probably immediately think AMARONE! Yes, Amarone is the king of Valpolicella. However, there are other lovely wines produced in this appellation, including Recioto, Valpolicella Ripasso and Valpolicella Classico. To learn more about these wines I recommend you visit both the Cosorzio Tutela Vino Valpolicella web site and read a great article on the Valpolicella region available on the always educational Wine Folly web site.

My journey began on Sunday, August 31 when I boarded a plane from Dallas to Frankfurt then to Verona, arriving on Monday, September 1 to meet my hosts and fellow bloggers and to dine at Ristorante La Divina in San Giorgio di Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella.

Tuesday, September 2^nd

Valentina Cubi

Scriani

San Rustico

Terre Di Leone

Dinner at Villa Cordevigo

Wednesday, September 3^rd           

Casa Vinicola Sartori

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar

Monteci

Cesari

Dinner at Locando 800

Thursday, September 4^th

Zýmē 

 Santa Sofia

Secondo Marco

Salva Terra

Dinner Enoteca Della Valpolicella

Friday, September 5^th: Begin journey home….

My Song Selection: The song I have chosen to pair with this spectacular journey to Italy as a guest of Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella is Funiculi Funicula by Luciano Pavarotti. This is such a fun Italian song and no one sings it better than the great Italian tenor himself! So please click on all the links to visit the wineries, restaurants and region of Valpolicella along with me and we will meet again upon my return.

Go to Valpolicella and visit each of these wineries and restaurants and let me know what song you would pair with them. Ciao!