“Life is a combination
of magic and pasta.”
For Italians, their passion for food and wine comes in second only to their love of family.
In Italy, eating and drinking are sacred rituals that no one can miss. Italians live to relish the flavors of their culinary traditions; freshly picked vine tomatoes, handmade pastas, doughy salted breads, perfectly cured meats, mouthwatering mozzarella, and sharp shots of coffee, just to name a few. Most Italian families eat a big family lunch every Sunday. Being invited to eat with the family or at a friend’s house is an expression of love, affection, and warmth. When they are not eating they talk about food and when they are eating they still talk about food. Putting all stereotypes aside, every meal in Italy is the result of a careful preparation, to create the perfect balance between seasoning, spices and herbs and enhance the taste of even the most simple dish. Italian cuisine is appreciated and imitated (maybe without the same results) by people from all over the world.
“Where wine reigns, silence does not reign”
EATING OUT
Dining out in Italy, especially for the first time, is an exciting sensory experience. First of all, Italians always order water with their meal. Italians also almost always order vino or wine, and only sometimes birra or beer, with their food. Italians often chose the house red or white wines in restaurants. House wines, as well as higher end wines, in Italy are incredibly flavorful and satisfying.
Tipping is not expected in Italy. With exceptionally good food and service, it is acceptable to leave a ten percent tip, but anything more will seem a little outlandish, although very generous, in Italy.
COME BERE IL VINO COME UN ITALIANO
Italians love wine – Chianti, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco and on and on. It is said that Italians drink at least a glass of wine per day, and we’re sure that’s true. While the rest of the world may consider drinking ‘wine’ as a luxury, in Italy, it is treated as an everyday custom. Lunch, dinner or dessert – Italians love to pair their meals with a hearty glass of vino. They drink red wine, vino rosso, with meat and white wine, vino bianco, with fish. Italians say salute when they cheers, which literally translates to ‘health’.
For centuries, perhaps even millennia, the people of the country have had an interest in winemaking. From the Etruscans to the Romans, the art of winemaking runs deep in their veins.
VISIT A VINEYARD
Italians love to know where their food comes from. It’s no different with wine. If you’re a lover of vino, then what better way to learn about the winemaking process than visiting an authentic Italian vineyard yourself? In any Italian region, there are countless vineyards you can visit. Without a doubt, learning about how wines are made will not only inform you of interesting knowledge but also foster a better appreciation of Italian Wines.
HAVE APERITIVO
A daily ritual uniquely attributed to Italians is ‘aperitivo’. Between 6:00 and 8:00pm, just before dinner, it is the Italian aperitivo time. Aperit
