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In Foligno, “in the centre of the world” with the Lions

Foligno, Montefalco, the museums, the wineries, the gastronomy, the

Lions Club Montalcino La Fortezza and Foligno

Umbrian cloths … a Sunday spent with the members of the Lions Club di Foligno and Montalcino La Fortezza.

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For the Sienese Umbria is close by but culturally distant. The boundary line which divided the Grand Duchy from the State of the Church up until 150 years ago is an invisible barrier which however makes even those places that are relatively near seem far away.

That is why visiting Foligno seems a discovery, an adventure. This makes it editing, then there is the pleasure of being welcomed by the friends of the Lions Club headed by Salvatore Zaiti and of course spending together a day full of new experiences.

14 March 2012

in Uncategorized

Surprises in the Museo del tartufo (truffle museum), old friends and bright sculptures

The heart of the Tartufo bianco territory in the Crete Senesi is in the Museo

San Giovanni d'Asso - truffle museum - Stefano Benassi candlesticks

di San Giovanni d’Asso. Now is the moment when the tartufo marzuolo is found
The museum is in an elegant castle dating back to the 12-14th century built in bricks and Roman and Gothic style windows, and with a beautiful entrance lined with oak trees.

Read and seen for you by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Upon entering one shivers a sit feels like living in a fairytale, the sensation of the “prince charming “ arriving any minute. We are 10 km distant from Fattoria del Colle, so close one could walk it

I went there yesterday, to celebrate the Tartufo marzuolo. In truth I adore the white truffle but to be able to enjoy it one must wait until November.

12 March 2012

The Fattoria del Colle home – restylers at work

New job opportunities in the countryside: landscape designer, home restylers, entertainers ….English names for activities that Tuscan farmers have always done.

Fattoria del Colle - "Imbottigliamento apartment" - Paola and Paolo

And here they are in action, Paolo and Paola the “home restylers” at Fattoria del Colle. He’s a carpenter and gardener and she’s an accountant, but together they are a formidable team. They have succeeded in renovating old furniture and giving warmth and comfort to two apartments in the country inn: Guardia and Imbottigliamento.

10 March 2012

in Uncategorized

Synthetic uterus and career, will these be the future mothers?

The Italian TV programme ” Voyager” on March 5th presented scientific research regarding laboratory pregnancies. A look into the future which

pregnancy

seems to be appreciated by many women.

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Her starts a consideration in a nation such as Italy where we are extremely motherly. The question is: Is there a connection between the amount of pregnancy leave taken here , superior to any other nation in Europe and the proliferations of mothers with a degree who are housewives and who hold on to their sons transforming them into “bamboccioni” and who are witches when they become mother in laws?

9 March 2012

in Uncategorized

Recipe: Seppia nera con triglia di Zazzeri for women

8 March 2012

in Vines and wines

Donne del vino toscane – Tuscan Women in Wine and mimosa, on March 8th with Luciano Zazzeri

10 Donne del vino toscane – Tuscan Women in Wine and the AIS delegation from Livorno with Paola Rastelli celebrate March 8th with an exclusive dinner in the La Pineta restaurant- rated in the Michelin guide

Fattoria Del Colle - Donne Del Vino - Tuscany

seen for you by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Women’s important role in the wine world is now evident in all sectors: as excellent producers, knowledgeable sommeliers, responsible consumers, to all of these Luciano Zazzeri has dedicated an haute cuisine menu inspired by Tuscan tradition. These dishes will accompany 40 excellent wines that the producers present will serve the 50 diners during the evening: firstly a fish soup with “Carpaccio di gallinella” a san entree, then “raviolo di mare con crema d’aglio e salvia fritta”, as a main dish “seppia nera con filetti di triglia padellati” and as dessert “tortino di mele con gelato al Vin Santo”.

7 March 2012

The author Romano and the jazz artist Mangalavite at Fattoria del Colle

6 March 2012

March 8th 2012 International Women's day in the women's wineries

Granduke's Bedroom - Fattoria del Colle

Donatella Cinelli Colombini‘s wineries are the first in Italy with an all female staff. What better place for a stay dedicated to femininity?

Relax in the countryside between the Crete Senesi and the Val d’Orcia, in a wellness centre which is intimate and welcoming, which recalls Ingres’s odalisques, a dinner with a view over the medieval hamlet of Trequanda, accompanied by Cenerentola Orcia DOC, a wine with a fairytale and feminine name un but hides a woman of great character and determination.

5 March 2012

in Uncategorized

How much will tourism be worth? Twice as much as today

In twenty years we will pass from 980 million travellers of today to 1 billion and 800 million. What a change! In 1950 25 million set out for journeys.

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billboard

So we understand that there will be an acceleration of opportunities and of risks. In fact tourism creates business, new jobs, but at the same time modifies the destinations filling them with shops with false souvenirs, the menus in the restaurants are modified according to the tastes of tourists and even the architecture can be homologates, changing bars, restaurants and hotels into “non places” the same all over the world.

4 March 2012

Polenta con friccioli, pecorino cheese and anchovies from Montalcino

Polenta or “Pulenda” as we call it in Montalcino (boiled ground maize) is a typical dish for the cold winter months and especially when it snows because it warms you and gives you energy.

read and seen for by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

polenta

During the period when the olives are picked, something that at Fattoria del Colle and all over Tuscany is done manually and lasts from November to January, the polenta was necessary to hearten the pickers, who regardless of the north wind had to go up the ladders and hand pick the olives.

3 March 2012

On Saturday march 3rd at Fattoria del Colle a great book and a great jazz

29 February 2012

in Forum: News and lifestyle

Enogastronomicamente comunicando

This is the manual written by Fabio Piccoli and Lavinia Furlani that teaches you to increase your value and that of your estate

Enogastronomicamente comunicando – the book cover

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Enogastronomicamente comunicando

(Edizioni Le Foglie del Gelso pp. 112, € 18)

Two extraordinary authors: Fabio is a journalist from the food sector; expert in marketing, Lavinia is a philosophic consultant. They are a surprising couple but one that gets wonderful results, because the book really has a new style, and instead of the usual long list of practical pieces of advice “ready for use”. Goes to the root of a problem: sincerity, coherence courage, telling about oneself, boredom of things that have already been said and the need to be creative, optimists, proud of ones own work….

28 February 2012

in Vines and wines

Behind the scenes of Benvenuto Brunello 2012

Benvenuto Brunello becomes a celebration for wine and the young: many connected via social networks and many wine lovers under 40 in Montalcino.

Benvenuto Brunello - MontalcinoNews - women staff

Seen for you by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

The Brunello village built among the historic buildings in Montalcino to welcome up until this moment 250 members of the press and 2.500 operators with an increase of nearly 20% with respect to previous editions but most of all there has been a generational renovation among those involved: many young producers and most of all many young buyers.

A refreshing breeze, maybe brought on by the idea of making Benvenuto Brunello the first wine event in Italy online, in other words with a virtual connection with operators and wine lovers all over the world. In other words, change of location, extraordinary wines and enthusiastic clients. What a show!

27 February 2012

in Vines and wines

This is Ferragamo's image for Brunello 2011 awarded 4 stars

A delicate surrealist image is the emblem for Brunello 2011 four stars, created by Salvatore Ferragamo ‘ s stylists

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Brunello2011 - Ferragamo's tile

Sangiovese clusters and a bottle of Brunello made of petals with a delicate design of vine shoots and leaves. This is the very refined imaged wanted by Massimo Ferragamo Chairman at Ferragamo USA.

It is exhibited on the facade of the thirteenth century building that was the Montalcino town hall, continuing the calendar of tiles representing Brunello vintages which is enriched with every new vintage. The previous tiles were autographed by artists such as Sandro Chia, sport champions like Deborah Compagnoni, cartoonists such as Giannelli for the “Corriere della Sera” and Tadashi Agi Okimoto Shu of the Japanese cartoon strip Kamino Shizuku –The drops of God, stylists like Prada, Missoni , Cavalli, photographers like Oliviero Toscani … In other words great names for a great wine.

26 February 2012

in Forum: News and lifestyle