Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market we will taste a new red wine we are considering for our collection, the Bozner Leiten Sud Tirol Alto Adige DOC  ($19.50) from the PutzenHof winery, near Bolzano, Alto Adige’s capital. This winery is one of the producers for the well-known importer Marc De Grazia.

Bozner Leiten Sud Tirol Alto Adige DOC from the PutzenHof winery

De Grazia was instrumental in persuading many fine individual Italian grape growers to cease bulk production and to bottle the best of their wines under their own labels for his  wine import company, Marc de Grazia Selections, which he founded in 2009. Although he is now far better known for his championing the slopes of Mt. Etna with his Terre Nere winery, he continued to search for artisan winemakers that have an exceptional terroir and who plant indigenous grapes that become high quality, expressive wines. De Grazia now has thirteen regions represented in his portfolio and PutzenHof is one of only four wineries from the Sud Tirol /Alto Adige region. 

Third-Gen winemaker and manager of the PutzenHof vineyard, Roman Mottironi.

PutzenHof is a small estate south of Bolzano and is managed by a member of the family’s third generation, Roman Mottironi. His  grandparents purchased the estate in the early 1950’s to grow local red and white grapes. Fast forward to 2009, when Mottironi began bottling wines made from estate grown grapes. The vineyard’s altitude, microclimate, organic viticulture and soil results in flavorful and fresh wines. 

PutzenHof Vineyard is located on a small estate south of Bolzano

The range of PutzenHof’s wines include three whites and three reds, including this weekend’s Bozner Leiten, which is a blend of 85% Schiava, and 15% Lagrein and Pinot Nero for a total production of 37,000 bottles. In addition to the wine tastings, Azienda PutzenHof offers six well-appointed rooms in its Agriturismo. The Sud Tirol/Alto Adige draws tourists year round for skiing or hiking. 

Come join me this Friday from noon to 5:45 and on Saturday from noon to 4:45 to taste this new dry red, fruity, intense wine, then vote yay or nay for Piazza to add it to our collection. 

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located at 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market we will taste a new Rosato we are considering for our collection, the Etna DOC ($20.50) from the Cottanera Winery in Castiglione di Sicilia, a city in the Province of Catania. The winery is located near Mt. Etna, the highest mountain south of the Alps and the largest and most active volcano in Italy. Residents live in its shadow in a mix of reverence and fear. 

The ancient Greeks believed Mount Etna was the forge where both the god Hephaestus and the Cyclops Polyphemus toiled daily making thunderbolts for Zeus. They also attributed the mountain’s shape to Athena, who cast out the giant Typhon in the War of the Giants. However malevolent Mount Etna can be, her northeastern slope is ideal for growing the red grape Nerello Mascalese and on the east slope, the white grape Carricante thrives. The ideal conditions are a large diurnal swings of temperature, the volcanic soil that contains lava, rock and volcanic ash. This soil also saved the vines from decimation from phylloxera, that swept through most of Continental Europe, since the pest cannot survive in volcanic soil that is mostly sand.

Cottanera vineyard with “Pyramid of Etna”

Cottanera’s vineyards are dotted with piles of lava stone shaped to a point that were christened the “Pyramids of Etna”. Local farmers constructed these shapes from stones that had been displaced and laid them in a dry stack technique. The history of the Cottanera Winery began in 1962 when Francesco Cambria left his previous career in Messina to purchase 100 hectares of vineyards and groves of hazelnuts near his birthplace of Randazzo. He initially sold his grapes to a local cooperative but in 1968 his focus was producing grapes for bulk wine. In the late 1980’s, his sons Gugliemo and Enzo built a winery to produce their own wine from Sicily’s indigenous grapes Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carriante that grew to a total of eleven different labels including red, white, rose, and sparkling wines. They christened their venture “Cottanere” (Black Cottage) for the ancient village of the same name that was located along the banks of the Alcantara River, next to the family’s vineyards.

Their Rosato Etna DOC is 100% Nerello Mascalese, from one of their vineyards on Mt. Etna’s north slope. One wine writer, whose opinion I trust, describes it as “bursting with floral notes of iris, wisteria and rose, paired with the freshness of aromatic herbs. This is a rich, complex, flavorful wine that embodies the typical characteristics of the volcanic soil from which it comes”.   

Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 to see if you agree!

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

There’s something magical about live music in nature! Local beer, food trucks and music by nationally touring act Serene Green are all on tap when Adkins Arboretum hosts its annual Beer Garden on Sat., Sept. 28.

Serene Green is a traditional bluegrass band from Northeastern Pennsylvania featuring Quentin Fisher, Michael Johnson, Steve Leonard, Katelynn Casper and Sam Zolla. They desire to honor the traditional side of bluegrass demonstrated by the pioneers of the genre while also showcasing its original compositions and uniqueness. Since the band’s inception in 2017, Serene Green has played in three countries and in over twenty of the United States, released three studio albums and performed at countless festival and venues alongside many nationally and internationally touring acts, including the Del McCoury Band, The Seldom Scene, The Infamous Stringdusters, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, David Bromberg and Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, among many others.

The event is Adkins Arboretum’s annual fall fundraiser. It is family friendly and will include hula hoops, bubbles and the opportunity to walk the Arboretum trails. Food and drink will be available for purchase, with Bull & Goat Brewery, Cult Classic Brewing Company and Ten Eyck Brewing Company pulling premium craft beer and Blue Money Street Tacos, the Red Shef and Beltway Bistro serving food.

In commemoration of the Arboretum’s dedication to hosting live music outdoors, a beautiful SE Custom 24 guitar generously donated by PRS Guitars is up for auction, which closes at the event. The winner will be announced that day. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

The Beer Garden runs from 2 to 4 p.m., with food and beer service beginning at 1 p.m. Seating is limited; bringing chairs or a blanket is highly advised. Only 400 admissions will be sold, so early registration is strongly recommended. Admission is $20 for Arboretum members, $25 for non-members and free for ages 18 and under. The fee increases by $5 on the day of the event. The rain date is Sat., Oct. 6. Register online at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

Can you guess what is pictured in photo below?

The answer to last week’s mystery is eastern amberwing, Perithemis tenera, pictured below:

The eastern amberwing is a small species of dragonfly that only reaches about 1 inch in length. It is the second smallest dragonfly in the United States. Males have clear amber-colored wings, while females have blotch-patterned wings.

Amberwing larvae are aquatic. They have six legs and small wing buds. Gills are located inside the rectum. They breathe by drawing water in and out of their hind end. By forcefully expelling this water, the larvae can move quickly in a form of jet.

Amberwings have the most intricate courtship of any dragonfly. After the male selects several possible egg laying sites, he finds a female and leads her back to his potential nursery. To attract her, he sways back and forth, and hovers with his abdomen raised. Mating only occurs if the females approve – making this one of the few dragonflies where females choose the males.

In late summer, males can be seen along the shores of lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow sections of rivers, bays, and canals. Females are often found in meadows among summer wildflowers.

Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

Harvest and postharvest practices for improving apple fruit marketability: Fruit quality and safety workshop will be held at the University of Maryland, Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756, on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost to attend the workshop is $25, which includes snacks, lunch, coffee, and networking. Learn about the latest technologies and strategies for improving apple fruit marketability while maintaining fruit quality and produce safety. Presentations, demonstrations, and discussions!

To register, go to https://go.umd.edu/AppleWorkshop

AGENDA

8:30 a.m.  REGISTRATION

APPLE FRUIT QUALITY/ HORTICULTURE
9:00 a.m.     Horticultural Practices and their Impact on Apple Fruit Quality. Dr. Macarena Farcuh, University of Maryland

9:45 a.m.     Integrative Solutions for Controlling Fruit Drop and Enhancing Apple Coloration. Dr. Sherif M. Sherif, Virginia Tech

10:30 a.m.   Break

10:45 a.m.   An Update About Apple Postharvest Diseases and their Management for Growers in the Mid-Atlantic. Dr. Kari Peter, Penn State University

11:15 a.m.   Achieving Fruit Quality by Managing Fireblight and Other Orchard Troubles. Mr. Dave Myers, University of Maryland Extension-Anne Arundel Co.

Noon            Working Lunch (Graduate students present their posters)

APPLE FRUIT SAFETY

1:00 p.m.     Benefits and Food Safety Risks in Postharvest Produce Washing. Dr. Rohan Tikekar, University of Maryland
2:00 p.m.     Break
2:15 p.m.     Navigating the New Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Rule. Ms. Carol Allen, University of Maryland
3:30 p.m.     Wrap up and evaluation/surveys

For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event (two weeks prior), please contact Dr. Macarena Farcuh at [email protected] or by calling (301) 405-1323

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend we will taste the Montefalco Rosso DOC 2020 ($19.50) from the Antonelli San Marco winery in Montefalco, a hill town in central Umbria. The medieval town has narrow streets overlooking farmland that resemble quilted squares. Montefalco Rosso must both age a minimum of 18 months and also contain between 60-70% Sangiovese, 10-15% Sagrantino and the balance is left to the winemaker’s discretion. When I began researching and tasting Italian wines over fifteen years ago, I fell under the spell of both Sagrantino and Sangiovese wines, from their early vintages like this week’s feature to their fullest expression of Sagrantino di Montefalco and Brunello di Montalcino. Alas, these powerhouse wines are reserved for holidays and very special occasions but the young ones like the Montefalco Rosso still satisfy!

Montefalco Rosso DOC

In 1881, Francesco Antonelli gave up practicing law in Spoleto and bought the San Marco estate of 170 hectares, one of the historical wineries in the Montefalco DOCG area. Just like a house needs a firm foundation, Antonelli’s first priority was to transform and modernize the planting and farming. By 1899, there were 5,000 vines per hectare with the red wines showing great promise. The first bottling occurred in 1979 and the estate was certified organic in 2012. Ten hectares are dedicated to olive groves while 50 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. The focus is Umbria’s indigenous red grapes, Sagrantino and Sangiovese, and the white grapes Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino. 

site-aerial-of-Antonelli

The heart of the property is the winery, located just below the original manor house. The underground cellars were designed for gravity vinification so the pressed grapes fall below into the tanks for fermentation and only the force of gravity enables the pomace to be discarded without pumps. I like the Montefalco Rosso’s fruity and intense aroma of berries; dry and balanced, it is a great wine with food, especially first courses of ravioli, risotto, tagliatelle, red meat entrees and mature cheeses. Drink it now or let it rest for a few years. 

Antonelli San Marco also offers hospitality and tourism through their historic farmhouse, Casale Satriano, and a cooking school, Cucina in Cantina. Now that fall will soon be here, I look forward to preparing my fave Umbrian dish, pasta with cinghiale sauce over pappardelle to pair with the Montefalco Rosso.  

Many of you are already fans of another Antonelli red wine, the delicious Baiocco. Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 for another taste of Umbria-

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located at 218 N. Washington St, suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste the Vernaccia Di San Gimignano DOCG ($14.50) from the Fontaleoni winery in San Gimignano, Toscana. Given that 70% of Tuscan wines are red, such as the fabled Brunello di Montalcino, the whites have to be good to compete. Luckily, a small group of organic winemakers are committed to promoting the indigenous white grape, Vernaccia, that has quietly grown near San Gimignano for over seven centuries. To many wine experts, the best Vernaccia is unlike any white wine in all of Italy.

Vernaccia Di San Gimignano DOCG ($14.50) from the Fontaleoni winery in San Gimignano, Toscana

Both San Gimignano’s historic center and the iconic towers are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  This designation is due to the Town’s strict preservation of not only its original medieval urban layout but also the fourteen of the original 72 towers, built between the 11th and 13th centuries, that dominate the surrounding hillsides. The wine’s label features the iconic tower-houses built by wealthy and powerful noble families and some of the towers are 50 meters tall! ​It is no surprise that this picturesque town, unlike any other in the world, has been the location for at least 15 movies.  My fave, “Tea with Mussolini”, features five iconic British and American actresses, with the towers being the stars of the movie’s penultimate scene. 

Fontaleoni Vineyard, Today, 30 of their total 50 hectares are devoted to producing high-quality wine, with many cases of wine destined for the international market.

The story of Fontaleoni begins in 1959 when the founder, Giovanni Troiani, grew tired of being a sharecropper in The Marche and bought a farm in Toscana to try his luck at winemaking with a focus on Toscana’s indigenous Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Sangiovese grapes. From the beginning, Giovanni chose manual harvesting and practiced organic management in the vineyards that led to his success. In 1980, his son Franco joined his father and they added Chianti to their collection. Today, 30 of their total 50 hectares are devoted to producing high quality wine, with many cases of wine destined for the international market. 

I love Vernaccia for its floral scents, notes of green apple and fresh taste. Pair with fish, seafood risotto, or white meat entrees and serve chilled. 

Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 and check out “Tea with Mussolini” from your library or try You Tube and enjoy!

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located at 218 N. Washington St., Suite 23, Easton, MD 

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.