Phil Kampe explains Prosecco Superiore in his last video

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One of the  pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy    having discoveries... TheWineHub exists to  help you with that.

San Patrignano - What a wonderful story

After Vinitaly, we had the opportunity to visit San Patrignano*, located near Rimini in Emilia Romagna.  And what a touching and memorable experience we had...

Trying to express in a few words what I saw (and felt) during the few hours that I spent there was not going to be an easy task, but I got lucky and found this concise article by Lorenn Walker - http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog - who portrays with excellence what the institution is all about:

"San Patrignano is considered one of the world’s finest drug rehabilitation programs, and after visiting it I can easily understand why.  I believe San Patrignano is a model for building peace and is an example of an effective restorative justice and solution-focused response to conflict and dealing with serious social problems.
Addiction creates conflicts and San Patrignano deals with it restoratively and in a strength based manner.  It is an incredible place that is deeply inspirational.  San Patrignano teaches us that we can find positive solutions to our most difficult problems by looking to the strengths that we all have.
San Patrignano is a remarkably beautiful place that is completely free for all of its approximately 800 hundred residents. It takes no government money for support.  It is 50% to 60% self-sufficient and gets the remainder of its support from donors who believe in its social mission.
San Patrignano’s main strategy for helping people overcome addiction is simply taking responsibility, which is exactly what restorative justice is all about."

* San Patrignano is also a winery (and that's why I went there in the first place) that is making wonderful wines. They have an incredible team of winemakers (Ricardo Cotarellla being the most famous of them) and Joseph Bastianich included their Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Avi Riserva in his "Grandi Vini: An Opinionated Tour of Italy's 89 Finest Wines". 

Click here if you want to donate to help their cause: 
http://www.sanpatrignano.org/?q=node/5006

San Patrignano welcomes all young men and women who have serious drug abuse problems, regardless of ideology, social background, or religion, and completely free of charge, accepting no payment or funding from their families or the government.
Since 1978, San Patrignano has taken in over 18,000 people, offering them a home, healthcare, legal assistance, and the opportunity to study, learn a job, change their lives, and regain their status as full members of society.

The pictures taken that day show some of the vineyards, the winery, and a little part of the community.

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"HOST" The French Cocktail Hour on June 2nd in your House...and QUALIFY to WIN a TRIP for TWO to FRANCE by Philip S.Kampe

MARK your Calendar>>JUNE 2nd.

MISSION>>HOST a FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR or in French, APERTIF a la FRANCAISE in your house.

DEADLINE to Apply: 29 APRIL (The Royal Wedding Day)

OBJECT: To select 1,000 FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR HOSTS from TEN selected states, including New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia and Washington,D.C.

IF selected by SOPEXA and HOUSE PARTY, you will be required to CREATE your own HOME PAGE (with SOPEXA and HOUSE PARTY help)where you will blog, post pictures and stories, create videos and post your antics on the FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR National website. You will be able to share your thoughts with the other hosts.

15,000 guests on June 2nd will share their experience through you,the host. To help make throwing the soiree, you will receive the 2011 FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR PARTY PACK, which consists of THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HOSTING FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR, as well as Party accoutrements such as a Cocktail Recipe Book, a Silver Serving Tray, Cocktail Shaker, Cheeseboard, Apron and more....

Each FRENCH COCKTAIL HOUR Host will have a chance to WIN one of many prizes, including a TRIP for TWO to FRANCE with a stay at the 5 STAR "Les SOURCES de CAUDAILE Spa and Hotel, courtesy of the FRENCH GOVERNMENT TOURISM OFFICE.

PREPARE to HOST BY APPLYING TO: http://21.houseparty.com/2011frenchcocktailhour

PHILIP S. KAMPE

philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

Life after VINITALY...A visit to DOMODIMONTI "Natural Wines" from Le Marche...by Philip S. Kampe

VINITALY, home of more than 38,000 wines, was my home for five days. This years event, located in VERONA, drew 156,000 guests.

ALL of the attendees had the same idea.
FIND THE BEST WINES FOR PRICE and QUALITY.

The task was simple. Find a company that EXPORTS to the USA and find a wine that fits
into the price/quality evaluation.

I found many that fit, notably DOMODIMONTI "Natural Wines" from Le Marche. Their wines were recently introduced into the United States by Domodimonti Wine Marketer, Marco Scapagnini.

Domodimonti imports and distributes the wine through MHW, a NY/NJ based warehouse and distributor.

Wines range from $12 to $29 a bottle

 The two white wines that stand out are DEJA V, a wine made from the indigenous PASSERINA grape and IL COSTE, made from the indigenous PECORINO grape. Both grapes grow in Le Marche and Abruzzo. IL COSTE is 20% oaked and elegant, while DEJA V is a universally favored seafood wine, that is crisp and flavorful.

The red wines that stand out are MONTE FIORE, a 100% SANGIOVESE wine (Le Marche borders Tuscany)and PICENS, a blend of MONTEPULCIANO, SANGIOVESE, MERLOT and CABERNET SAUVIGNON. PICENS is best chilled for a few minutes before serving, while MONTE FIORE drinks best at room temperature.

The third red, IL MESSIA, is a blend of MONTEPULCIANO and MERLOT. The 2006 vintage was recently released and lives up to the hype as a 'Classic Red Wine from Le Marche'. Silky tannins and true expression make this wine sought after by wine collectors and wine drinkers.

 I spent three nights at the vineyards at Domodimonti and learned the process involved in their Natural winemaking. CARLO FERRINI, one of Italy's top wine makers and consultants advises Domodimonti. His contribution has put DOMODIMONTI heads above rival wineries in the Le Marche region.

Visit www.domodimonti.com to learn more about this Exceptional Company.

PHILIP S. KAMPE

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One of the  pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy    having discoveries... TheWineHub exists to  help you with that.

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Maremma, Tuscany

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit again the Maremma region in Tuscany. But this trip was different: It was more than just a “regular wine tour”... I was trying to find a place to recommend for someone travelling with the family and who wants to go out of the beaten path. I think I found the place...
Tenuta Uccellina Tuscany Farmhouse.

My host was Alioscia Lombardini. The president for the MTV Tuscany, who can make you feel at home anywhere in the world and this is what he had to tell me:

“There’s nothing better than a Tuscany farmhouse for those who love countryside life, plus there are plenty of outdoor activities: from farming to tasting local organic products, from horse riding to sailing and much more. It’s all here, surrounded by charming scenery, picturesque hills and overlooking an unspoiled sea! Also, for nature lovers and those who love to switch off and desire an utterly relaxing holiday, La Tenuta Uccellina Tuscany farmhouse resort is the perfect place.

If you are looking for a Tuscany farmhouse suitable for kids, then a Tenuta Uccellina farmhouse is  ideal. In fact, for the “younger” guests, the farmhouse offers a wide range of natural and green spaces where kids can play freely and to their heart’s content.

The resort also includes an Educational park that has been specifically designed with children in mind. Here it is possible for them to play outdoors in an educational setting where they can get close to the farm animals and be part of country life. It’s ideal for the little ones and their families. The Educational Farm is one of the most interesting attractions that La Tenuta Uccellina farmhouse has to offer for children, with thousands of activities for them to do, including special activities with horses to capture their imagination in fun and interesting ways.

La Tenuta Agricola Uccellina Tuscany farmhouse is set in 400 hectors of picturesque countryside, of which, 300 are wooded forest, all situated within the Tuscany Maremma Wild Reserve, (also known as Uccellina’s park). Inside the park, you can make the most of various activities such as trekking, horse riding, bike rentals, coastal excursion and walks in the countryside to take in the breathtaking views on offer. How active you wish to be on your holiday is completely up to you.

La Tenuta Uccellina Tuscany farm house is unique in the sense that it couples beauty in a natural setting whilst incorporating countless activities to take part in. The farmhouse is completely surrounded by countryside  and inside the park itself, you may come across wild animals grazing whilst you’re having a walk or when you’re on one of our guided excursions.

All food served at the La Tenuta Uccellina farmhouse is organic and prepared on-site. We can assure you the quality of our food is paramount and furthermore when you taste it we hope you will feel the same. Many of our visitors choose to buy the food and bring it home with them. Food is available to purchase at the resort or online.

Each farmhouse is divided into warm and welcoming self-catering apartments, with a range of  sizes to choose from. All are situated inside the park and furnished in true typical Tuscan style. To enhance your stay further, you can count on the kindness of our staff, highly qualified and always proactively responding to all your holiday needs.

The mix of beautiful landscape, beaches, quality food and range of activities for all ages make “La Tenuta Uccelina” a special and unique stay and satisfies those who wish to experience a real “Made in Italy” holiday.“

Here are the pictures that I took during my 2 day visit.

Cheers,
LA

www.thewinehub.com
 One of the  pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries... TheWineHub exists to  help you with that.

See the full gallery on Posterous