Always be Ready..to Open a Bottle of Wine in Orvieto..

One of my favorite winebars is in Orvieto (region of Umbria)-La Champagneria. You will find this in Piazza Marconi (principal piazza in Orvieto). Ask for GianLuca and Velia. GianLuca is very knowledgeable about wines and liqueurs from all over the world and the antipasti that Velia whips up to go with the drinks are heavenly. Grab a table outside under the stars (if not too cold out) and you will have a splendid view of the whole piazza. If you are not knowledgeable about wines, tell Gian Luca the taste you are looking for and he will make a perfect choice and tell you all about your beverage. Gian Luca is a true artist and is so passionate about being a sommelier that he told us that he always carries something that can open a bottle of wine in his backpocket- Gian Luca told me "you neer know when you will have the opporutnity to experience a great bottle of wine or champagne and you must always be ready. I even have one on my nightstand in my bedroom." A true artist..kind of like Stradivarius who used to sleep with is violin..
This is one of our stops for our The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm Cooking Shcool in Italy coming in fall 2009. email us at events@marialiberati.com fpr more info and to register..it will be an experience to remember..
Cooking School Dates:
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm COoking School will be presenting a class on preparing a 4 course authentic Valentine's Day Italian dinner at Whole Foods Market in Jenkintown, Pa on Feb 8th at 2 PM. Join me for the class and a book signing before class. To register email us at events@marialiberati.com


The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm cooking school in Italy will take place Sept 13-19th at Borgo Fontanile in Orvieto Italy. Join us for week of cooking classes with organic fresh produce from the farm, vineyard tours ,wine tastings, To register or for more info email us at events@marialiberati.com

For more great recipes get your copy of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at http://www.marialiberati.com

Tastes of Venice & Carnevale

A short trip to Venezia (Venice, Italy) and one can't help but look in amazement at the beauty that surrounds...and then there is Carnevale.
Carnevale is the Venetian version of Mardi Gras. But what is so memorable about Carnevale are the masks and the costumes- so colorful and beautiful..the traditon of wearing the masks and costumes came from the idea that no on knew your true identity when you wore a mask and costume in the sense that everyone was treated equally because no on understood if you were rich or poor from nobility or not
The signs of Carnevale are everywhere this time of the year although most things like masks and costumes can be found any time of the year..it is the most popular festivals of venice and if you can't be there this time of the year, you can at least take a souvenir of it anytime of the year.
After a trip there I am always inspired by some of the tradtional tastes I found, and needless to say this week's cooking in The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Kitchen here in Italy will be all about the traditional dishes of Venice.
From Baicoli to Rise e Bisi to Ciccheti
Bring a taste of Venice to your home kitchen without having to go there and cook along with us at http://www.marialiberati.com/blog2 for all the recipe and sightseeing tips.
For more great recipes get your copy of the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at http://www.marialiberati.com
Mangia Bene Vivi Bene
Maria

Art, Wine, Architecture and more...

I am so excited to welcome Sandra Pianin as a guest blogger on Maria & Co.
Watch for Sandra's blogs on wine, art and architecture..all of the subjects she has a passion for...
Sandra will be blogging a few times a week and as always you can post your comments to her here on her blog entries..

Welcome Sandra!!!!

Ciao for now..
Maria Liberati
Visit me at marialiberati.com
http://www.marialiberati.com/blog2
http://mediterraneandiet-healthy.blogspot.com

For recipes and more..got to http://www.marialiberati.com and get your copy of the bestsellign book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at $5 off retial price and free shipping as well..