Monthly Archives: May 2011

After just 9 months of to-ing and fro-ing between Neive and the Revisione Centre (MOT) in Canale to visit the girls who visit occasionally from Cuneo HQ, we at last have our Italian number plates fitted to the car. Everyone asks why we bothered, (although it is the law after  6 months), and having forked out over €1,000 for the process I wonder myself. The car is a Honda CRV and originally Swiss LHD so they had to obtain a technical schedule from the manufacturers and then translate it into Italian. Forget the “we’re all part of Europe” merde. Insurance is another enormous obstacle but with the help of Rico from he local garage we managed to find a discounted policy locally that recognised 5 years of No Claims Bonus from Saga. This reduced the cost to a very unreasonable €870 and only 3rd Party without Fire & Theft. Ouch! (more…)

Here are the wines we enjoyed most at the recent blind tastings in Barolo and Barbaresco : (more…)

Recently we had the good fortune to enjoy the peerless hospitality of “Team La Spinetta” for an entire day. The occasion was the second Hands-on Day created for members of their Liter (sic) Club, a great international bunch, the origins of which are clear. One bottle of good wine for 2 people doesn’t quite do it and 2 bottles is perhaps a step too far.  A litre on the other hand is just about spot on. It was also an occasion to hear about their winemaking philosophy particularly in the vineyard where, according to Giorgio Rivetti and his sister  Giovanna, 90% of what constitutes a good wine occurs.

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