Will Italy Run Out Of Wine? Maitai Crew's Fall Trip is Confirmed
Jan 6th, 2005, 06:12 PM
#21
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They do have big wine bottles in Italy!
Some of them enable 4 people to join hands and circle 4 in a bottle of wine.
No danger of a shortage. If the current supply runs out, two guys with big feet drag up a tub of grapes and stomp them right at your table. Then they pour the juice through a strainer, add a little grain alcohol, artifical flavoring, and bingo, instant wine, any vintage you want.
It does not take much of that 190 proof stuff to spice up fresh grape juice!!
By law, the stompers of the grapes have to take their shoes off and wash their feet before stomping. That is why men with big feet are so highly prized as grape stompers at Italian vineyards.
Some guys with size 14 EE feet are in demand. The bigger the better, up to the diameter of the stomping tub. I bet Shaq could really make a splash in the grape stomping contests. He has the leg strength, foot size, and jumping ability to really smash those little grapes up into a fine broth.
The strainer is cloth and it usually gets out the grape skins and most of the seeds. Moreover, the strainer always adds a little local flavor to the juice. It is only washed at the end of the week.
You might even ask for some home brewed wine just to watch the fun. Those guys go at it with bravura and sforzando con fuoco, particularly if one of them gets a cigarette too close to the grain alchol bottle.
(Dont worry, throwing cigarette butts in the tub violates the public health laws.
Ashes are immaterial because they have been burned.)
Some of them enable 4 people to join hands and circle 4 in a bottle of wine.
No danger of a shortage. If the current supply runs out, two guys with big feet drag up a tub of grapes and stomp them right at your table. Then they pour the juice through a strainer, add a little grain alcohol, artifical flavoring, and bingo, instant wine, any vintage you want.
It does not take much of that 190 proof stuff to spice up fresh grape juice!!
By law, the stompers of the grapes have to take their shoes off and wash their feet before stomping. That is why men with big feet are so highly prized as grape stompers at Italian vineyards.
Some guys with size 14 EE feet are in demand. The bigger the better, up to the diameter of the stomping tub. I bet Shaq could really make a splash in the grape stomping contests. He has the leg strength, foot size, and jumping ability to really smash those little grapes up into a fine broth.
The strainer is cloth and it usually gets out the grape skins and most of the seeds. Moreover, the strainer always adds a little local flavor to the juice. It is only washed at the end of the week.
You might even ask for some home brewed wine just to watch the fun. Those guys go at it with bravura and sforzando con fuoco, particularly if one of them gets a cigarette too close to the grain alchol bottle.
(Dont worry, throwing cigarette butts in the tub violates the public health laws.
Ashes are immaterial because they have been burned.)
Jan 7th, 2005, 08:42 AM
#24
Original Poster
Bob - Which hotels did you stay? And thanks for the Vernaccia di San Gimignano recommendation.
dln - If you haven't left yet (or even if you have), enjoy a great trip. Look forward to your Paris report.
brookwood - Thanks for the interesting comments. Now I know why Italian wine has so much sole.
dln - If you haven't left yet (or even if you have), enjoy a great trip. Look forward to your Paris report.
brookwood - Thanks for the interesting comments. Now I know why Italian wine has so much sole.
Jan 7th, 2005, 09:21 AM
#27
Original Poster
" I will have consumed 34,789 cases of gin by then, and have been on my second liver transplant."
ThinGorjus, as I always say, it is better to be a good liver than to have one.
Ira, I look forward to your (short..long..humorous) trip report.
ThinGorjus, as I always say, it is better to be a good liver than to have one.
Ira, I look forward to your (short..long..humorous) trip report.
Jan 7th, 2005, 11:27 AM
#28
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So sorry maitaitom. Our family trip to Italy begins two days before yours. We start in Tuscany for six nights near S. Gimignano. We will be about twenty and have been known to consume lots and lots of vino.
Actually, my husband and I did some damage while spending 6 nights at the Palazzo del Capitano last October. Try the Rosso di Montalcino if you have no funds left for the mighty Brunello. Pretty nice.
And at the Tourist House Ghiberti the week before that, we did our share. But, a new year has been bottled so there should be enough to go around. I'll be looking for the guy in the mai tai hat. Have a great time.
Actually, my husband and I did some damage while spending 6 nights at the Palazzo del Capitano last October. Try the Rosso di Montalcino if you have no funds left for the mighty Brunello. Pretty nice.
And at the Tourist House Ghiberti the week before that, we did our share. But, a new year has been bottled so there should be enough to go around. I'll be looking for the guy in the mai tai hat. Have a great time.
Jan 7th, 2005, 01:08 PM
#30
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Oh MaiTai,
I am so jealous. This will be the first year since 2002 that the Alabama crew has missed a trip to Italy.
Well, come September, we'll (probably) be in Amsterdam and Paris, but I fear my heart will be in Siena.
I do, however, hear that the French can bottle a passable wine.
I know you will have a wonderful trip!
Byrd
I am so jealous. This will be the first year since 2002 that the Alabama crew has missed a trip to Italy.
Well, come September, we'll (probably) be in Amsterdam and Paris, but I fear my heart will be in Siena.
I do, however, hear that the French can bottle a passable wine.
I know you will have a wonderful trip!
Byrd
Jan 7th, 2005, 01:16 PM
#31
Original Poster
Bob - Glad you liked those places. Your recommendations before have been perfect. We can hardly wait.
PeggyAnn - Save some of that Rosso di Montalcino for us. If you run into us, the first bottle's on me. Those Brunellos are a little steep (but we''ll have to try some).
Byrd - Somehow, I think you're going to find some very nice French wine. Enjoy.
PeggyAnn - Save some of that Rosso di Montalcino for us. If you run into us, the first bottle's on me. Those Brunellos are a little steep (but we''ll have to try some).
Byrd - Somehow, I think you're going to find some very nice French wine. Enjoy.
Jan 9th, 2005, 08:48 AM
#34
Original Poster
"But how many bottles will you be packing on your flight home?"
Not as many as I will be drinking today trying to put last night's Chargers' game out of my mind. I'm sure I will pack the limit, but at this moment I don't remember what the rules are for bringing back wine.
Not as many as I will be drinking today trying to put last night's Chargers' game out of my mind. I'm sure I will pack the limit, but at this moment I don't remember what the rules are for bringing back wine.
