Trip to Italy (Marche - October 2015)...Ascoli Piceno

After a huge wine tasting lunch at Le Caniette, we arrived in Ascoli Piceno.


Ascoli Piceno's history dates back to Roman times.


There are ancient churches and so many theaters.


Cafes are very cute, too. I enjoyed a cup of colletto (caffe + anisette).

Trip to Italy (Marche - October 2015)...Lunch at Le Caniette

Beautiful morning at Emidio Pepe property.


I took a little walk around before breakfast.


The view was just so gorgeous there.


Breakfast was simple and good.


After breakfast, we drove across the regional border to Marche region. We visited Le Caniette in Ripatransone, the southern end of Marche and only 8 km from the sea. The brothers, Giovanni and Luigi hosted our visit. Giovanni first gave us a tour of their vineyards. The vineyards are total about 16 ha.


In cantina, fermentation of Montepulciano was under way.


Tasting time.


It was so interesting to taste different vintages and styles of Pecorino they make.


Then, they treated us to lunch! They invite their friend chef, Massimo, to make Marche style lunch for us. We started with fried stuffed olive with pork.


Salumi plate was followed by a salad of pomegranate, lightly pickled fennel, cabbage, apple, etc. He poured freshly pressed olive oil from Caniette.


Scrambled egg and lamb was such a nice combination. Then, sautéed Passerina grape (same grape which are used for making wine) with salsiccia was such a surprise great dish.


Tacco pasta (hand-rolled pasta) with pork guanciale.


With more wine, we had such a wonderful time. What a generous hospitality they gave us!

Here are the wines we tasted...
2014 Passerina "Lucrettina"
2014 Pecorino "Veronica" (DOCG Offida)
2013 Pecorino "Gaia" (No MLF)
2011 Pecorino "Gaia"(12-hr maceration)
2010 Pecorino "Gaia" (12-hr maceration)
2004 Pecorino "Gaia"(longer maceration)
2013 Rosso Bello (DOC Piceno, 50/50 Montepulciano/ Sangiovese)
2010 Morellone (70/30 Montepulciano/ Sangiovese)
2003 Morellone
2010 Cinabro (DOC Marche Rosso, 100% Bordo grape)
2007 Nero di Vite (50/50 Montepulciano/ Sangiovese)
2003 Nero di Vite (50/50 Montepulciano/ Sangiovese)
2001 Nero di Vite (50/50 Montepulciano/ Sangiovese)
2007 Pecorino "Gaia"

Trip to Italy (Abruzzo - October 2015)...Dreamy time with Emidio Pepe

In the evening, we finally arrived at Emidio Pepe's estate in Trano Nuovo.


Part of the estate is agritourismo with a restaurant. We were going to stay there for 2 nights.


One of Emidio's daughters, Sofia showed us the vineyards, then gave us a tour of the cantina. They own about 15 ha of vineyards (70% Montepulciano and the rest are Trebbiano and a little bit of Pecorino). The vineyards are located about 12 km from the ocean. The grapes are grown organic and the vinification is done in very natural and traditional ways. Black grapes are destemmed by hand in a large wooden box. They even press Trebbiano grapes by feet. For aging, cement tanks are used.


In their special cellar, they age all different vintages since their first 1964 vintage.


When those reserved wines are ready to go out on a market, all these bottles are hand-decanted carefully to eliminate the natural sediment. The labeling is done by hand, too. Emidio came to say hi to us!


Our dinner took place in the estate. The dinner was prepared by "mamma" (Emidio's wife) and their son! We started with salumi and fresh ricotta, sprinkled with black salt and their freshly pressed olive oil.


Mamma showed us how to make fried caciocavallo cheese.


Abruzzo's traditional fried stuffed olives with meat.


Pork and porcini balls. Gnocchi with tomato sauce was so delicate.


Veal guanciale. Amazing wines.


Mamma's dessert. It was sponge cake with custard and red liquor (like zuppa inglese).


Emidio and daughter Sofia. They gave us such a wonderful hospitality to us!

Here are the wines we tasted...
2013 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
2013 Pecorino
2011 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
2001 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
1983 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (tasted still so young!)