Cool clouds. Geneva

  

Happy days again. Geneva

  

Clouds over Lac Léman. Geneva

  

Raindrops. My place, Geneva

  

Brown Grouper. Clovelly, Sydney (October 2005)

  

Waxy Flower. Paddo, Sydney (October 2005)

  

A concerned me. Paddo, Sydney (October 2005)

  

Vinum in Alba

The Master Plan was to head from Torino to Alba on the train and then take the bus to Barolo to catch a wine festival. The pace of life in Italy, and Trenitalia, conspired against me. Not to worry, I stumbled upon Vinum that is a massive two day wine festival in Alba. For €12 you get access to 6 pavillions with 2-3 tickets per pavillion. Each pavillion represented a region: Roero, Barolo, Piemonte, Italia, Langa and il Mondo. Each ticket gave you a taste but it was easy to smooze the wine guys into giving you a couple of tastes for a ticket. Best of all was the spirits guy who gave me 6 tastes for 1 ticket - what a guy! Then there were the smaller or newer wineries who were happy to give you unlimited drinks.

At first I thought these pouches looked a little daft but I quickly came around to seeing how practical it was to have a nice holder for your tasting glass, especially after a long day. You hang them around your kneck so your tasting glass is always handy.

Alba is best know for their white truffles. They have a huge festival in October to celebrate this. I picked up some for my brother who has an unhealthy obsession with those smelly little fellas.

I wanted to buy a nice Barolo ("the wine of kings and the king of wines") while in Alba and I ended up picking up a 1967 Barolo Riserva Speciale made by Luigi Calissano & Figli. They've closed down now. If you are looking for wine in Alba, head to Grandi Vini Enoteca (Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 1/A). Enrico was really friendly and helpful. Tell him "Geraldo" sent you and I'm sure you'll get a discount. :) 

Passionate about spirits. Alba

  

Holding up well, Vinum Day 2. Alba