Search: Advanced | Preference
Traveling Boy means the travel adventures of the Traveiling Boitanos
Travel adventures of Eric Anderson Boitano
Travel adventures of John Clayton
Travel adventures of Deb Roskamp
Travel adventures of Fyllis Hockman
Travel adventures of Brom Wikstrom
Travel adventures of Jim Friend
Travel adventures of Timothy Mattox
Travel adventures of Corinna Lothar
Travel adventures of Roger Fallihee
Travel adventures of Tamara Lelie
Travel adventures of Beverly Cohn
Travel adventures of Raoul Pascual
Travel adventures of Ringo Boitano
Travel adventures of Herb Chase
Travel adventures of Terry Cassel
Travel adventures of Dette Pascual
Travel adventures of Gary Singh
Travel adventures of John Blanchette
Travel adventures of Tom Weber
Travel adventures of James Thomas
Travel adventures of Richard Carroll
Travel adventures of Richard Frisbie
Travel adventures of Masada Siegel
Travel adventures of Greg Aragon
Travel adventures of Skip Kaltenheuser
Travel adventures of Ruth J. Katz
Travel adventures of Traveling Boy's guest contributors

Colorado ad


About Tom   write me    Feeds provide updated website content        

Country Roads: Assisi
Country Roads:
Paparazzi at the Osteria

Story and photos by Tom Weber

DSLR camera

ne of the drawbacks of being on tour as part of an international media group – we're 23 strong and guests of Insight Vacations (Insight) on its abbreviated Country Roads of Italy journey through Umbria and Tuscany to sample la dolce vita – is that everyone in our pack, and I mean EVERYONE, goes after the same shot with their cameras, and all at the same time.

interior of the upscale Osteria di Fonterutoli

Some locales are better than others, but the epitome of our paparazzi state-of-mind really comes into focus around dining room tables and bar counters. Lenses, long and short, poke out wherever and whenever fine food and drink is on display.

We jockey for position around la tavola based upon available natural light, or lack thereof, and go straight to work. CLICK!-CLICK!-CLICK! That's the sound you hear when an assortment of DSLRs and mobile handhelds say "formaggio" (cheese) in unison to the plates and glasses that catch our eyes.

I guess it's a small price to pay when you're touring around Italy on someone else's euro, right?

Osteria di Fonterutoli  signboard

Our next "photo op" finds our band of merry media seated inside the upscale Osteria di Fonterutoli, guests of Doctor-slash-Marchese (Marquis) Francesco Mazzei, as well as the purse strings of Insight, for a degustazione (tasting) of wines and gourmet food.

wine at the Castello di Fonterutoli

And the stars of this lens-loving affair? The osteria (CLICK!); the creative dishes being prepared for us (CLICK!); and, the wines from the nearby Castello di Fonterutoli winery. (CLICK!)

Doctor Mazzei (CLICK!), looking very smart in his tan sport coat and open shirt (some of the gals in our group want to place him on a piece of toast), welcomes all of us and begins to describe the characteristics of the first of two labels that we will sample: Vermentino di Toscana. (CLICK!)

the Vermentino di Toscana wine

This IGT appellation (Indicazione Geografica Tipica – Typical Geographical Indication) white varietal, comes from Mazzei's Belguardo Estate in the hills of southwestern Tuscany, between Grosseto and Montiano, not far from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

As Dr. Mazzei explains, "This dry Vermentino shows real character, fine texture and a softness from a bouquet of aromatic notes, including those of yellow peaches."

We swirl, smell and sip.

The good doctor continues, "It pairs quite well with fish soups, grilled fish and crustaceans, pasta with vegetables and cheese-based appetizers."

a zucchini and herbs flan underneath a pecorino cheese fondue

Francesco Mazzei presenting wine from the Castello di 
          Fonterutoli

As if on cue, waiters begin delivering plates of culinary art: a zucchini and herbs flan underneath a pecorino cheese fondue. (CLICK!)

The dish turns out to be the perfect balance between the meadows and the garden, and the Vermentino proves to be quite the shepherd. I take my sweet time getting through it, as I don't want this dish to ever end.

Still looking dapper in his tan sport coat, Dr. Mazzei, now a.k.a. "the Hunk," returns to the head of the table cradling a bottle of red – Fonterutoli Chianti Classico (CLICK!) – and explains: "Selected from among our estate's 120 different terroirs, and following in the footsteps of its 'big brother,' Castello di Fonterutoli (which we did not taste), this Chianti Classico is our estate's second best wine."

We swirl, smell and sip again.

The highest appellation in Italy, this DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita – Guaranteed Controlled Origin of Designation) classic – a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Malvasia Nera, Colorino and Merlot – comes from the hills just outside the osteria's front door, is dark berry-red in color, intense, but well proportioned with an elegant body, spicy flavors and a very smooth taste.

As our matinee idol, Dr. Mazzei, points out, "Fonerutoli Chianti Classico is our estate's most widely known and distributed label. It goes exceedingly well with aged affettati (cold cuts), grilled meats, fried vegetables and dark sauce pastas."

fresh, eggs-and-flour, macaroni pasta in wild boar's sauce

Again, as if on cue, waiters place another mouth-watering dish before us: a fresh, eggs-and-flour, macaroni pasta in a wild boar's sauce. (CLICK!)

THE classic ragù of Tuscany, the boar was not boring at all, the pasta was al dente, and mixed together they paired fabulously well with the other classic, the Chianti we were drinking.

hazelnut, semifreddo, ice-cream cake topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate

The wine tasting over, waiters returned with the final dish, the one that everyone craves: dolce (dessert). And what a treat it is. A hazelnut, semifreddo, ice-cream cake topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate. (CLICK!) Paired with a caffè macchiato, it's the perfect ending to a perfect pranzo.

scenes at Castello di Fonterutoli

But, this afternoon-heading-into-sundown isn't over by a long shot. We gather outside the osteria, then cross the street as Dr. Mazzei – now upgraded to GQ cover status – and Belinda, Insight's tour director-slash-storyteller (she's always a 10), take us on a walking tour of Castello di Fonterutoli, including the doctor's residence, where he posed for the lens with our band of merry media. (CLICK!)

Inisght Vacations bus on the road

Back on board the motorcoach, seats reclining and faces smiling, Belinda delivers our new GPS coordinates: We're now heading to the Borgo San Luigi, a gorgeous Tuscan villa estate, where you'll be spending the next two nights.

Someone from the distaff side of our band of merry media – I guess she just couldn't contain herself about Doctor-slash-Marchese Mazzei's good looks – blurts out: Wasn't Francesco the absolute bomb? He could give Clooney a run for his money. (CLICK!)

For complete information on Insight Vacations' 12 Italian premium and luxury-escorted itineraries and over 100 journeys throughout Europe, just click HERE, or call toll free (888) 680-1241, or contact your travel agent.

See you tomorrow when we head to San Gimignano, the Manhattan of medieval Italy. (CLICK!)

Ciao for now.

Related Articles:
Chianti Pours Forth from Fonterutoli; Cortona: Under the Renovated Tuscan Sun; Linnertime in Spello; Take Me Home Country Roads; The Olive Groves of Ragani; Saintly Assisi; Underground in Perugia




Name: Required
E-mail: Required
City: Required
Feedback:
 

Let Tom know what you think about his traveling adventure.

* * * * *

Feedback for Destination Bosnia: Inside Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope

Spent time in Sarajevo in the fall of 1973…beer was excellent!

--- David

* * * *

Hi Tom,

I must say, you're photographs are always amazing. They are top notch. You bring so much class to Traveling Boy. It's photographs like yours that make me want to go out and do my own traveling. Please don't get tired of sending us your amazing adventures. It's such a delight for the soul.

--- Raoul, Whittier, CA

* * * *

Hi Tom:

I'm also an American living in Italy. I've read with interest your blog and articles. I'd like to speak with you regarding residency and citizenship for Americans in Italy as you do seem to have a great deal of knowledge on all of these subjects. Would it be possible to give you a call on the phone? If so, please let me know how to reach you. If not, I can ask my questions via email.

Thank you!

--- David

* * * *

Hey Tom – Wow! Love those photos – they are so super that they make me A) Want to start eating NOW. B) Go there myself. C) See all that pristine beauty that looks so restful and peaceful. Great story, superb pix!!! Bravo!!

--- John, Los Angeles, CA

* * * *

Feedback for Destination Southwestern France: Saint-Émilion

Good job, Tom, and timely info. St. Émilion is in the list of places Jim Hayes and I will visit in September 2014. If we get the chance, we will exploit your experience to enhance the trip!

--- Bobby Harper, Dameron, MD

* * * *

Feedback for Vicenza Walks – Monte Berico

I lived in Vicenza for 4 years in the U.S. ARMY from 1963 to 1967. A wonderful place to explore. Palladio’s works are amazing. Have been back twice since and find new places to visit. My favorite is MONTE BERICO where I have some wonderful photos of my family.

--- Dr. Albert Pizzi, Hanover, MA

* * * *

I liked the new TB particularly the Vicenza article that took me back as a youth when we lived in Naples and travelled up there for a baseball tourney (U.S. Military Bases dependent schools played each other.)

Took me back to the plaza.

--- Bill

Feedback for A Canterbury Trail (Sutri)

Very interesting note. I have wedroned which route the early pre-Christian and Christian pilgrims travelled to Rome from England. Is it still possible to travel the Francigena trail?

--- Pawel

You can find out more info on walking tours of Via Francigena at this site: http://www.compagniadeicammini.it/en/. Thanks for stopping by and commenting..

Tom

* * * *

Good article, enjoyed reading it. Saved your recommended sights for future use.

--- Dardenne Prairie, MO

* * * *

You're going to be great at this Tom. Congrats.

--- Donna Vissa -Montreal




© TravelingBoy.com. All Rights Reserved. 2015.
This site is designed and maintained by WYNK Marketing. Send all technical issues to: support@wynkmarketing.com
Friendly Planet Travel

Lovin Life After 50

Big Sur ad

Tara Tours ad

Alaska Cruises & Vacations ad

Cruise One ad

Visit Norway ad

MySwitzerland.com

Sitka, Alaska ad

Montreal tourism site

Visit Berlin ad

official website of the Netherlands

Cruise Copenhagen ad

Sun Valley ad

Philippine Department of Tourism portal

Quebec City tourism ad

AlaskaFerry ad

Zurich official website

Zuiderzee Museum ad

Like-a-Local.com