Preci: From the Benedictines to Pork Butchers
Living on a hill overlooking Norcia…. …..the Benedictine monks – affectionately called by all “the Monks of Norcia” – are... View article
Anne's Blog / Food/Wine Lore
Umbria’s Prized Olive Oil: the Perfect Christmas Gift
Why not give gold as a gift this year? “Liquid gold”: Extra-virgin olive oil of Umbria, “Italy’s green heart.” Our... View article
From Naples to Milan: Christmas Solidarity in Italy
Glorious Naples is not only the Italian capital of pizza but also of espresso; in fact, here in Umbria if... View article
Near Bevagna, a Family Unites for the Olive Harvest
Quiz for the day: what is a “trunk-shaker with a reversed umbrella interceptor”? Here it is: It’s the mechanized tool... View article
Olive Oil Stars in an Assisi Festival
November is the month of the olive oil harvest all over Italy – and this year, it’s my month to... View article
Spello’s Olive Oil: That Umbria “Liquid Gold”
Umbria’s “liquid gold,” olive oil, is world-renowned and celebrated by the umbri in glorious festivals. These feste celebrate the olio nuovo (the... View article
Olive Oil Illuminates
Since ancient times, man has used resinous substances for lighting and the pressing of woodland berries and animal and vegetable... View article
Ancient Links to Umbria’s Olive Trees
For my October 31st ZOOM talk (my twelfth!), olives and olive oil in Italy’s art, history, cuisine, medicine, folklore –... View article
Olive Oil Revival in Spello
Standing proudly like a stately sentinel, a medieval tower welcomes you to Spello, ancient olive trees sprouting out of the... View article
From Vineyard to Wine Press to the Boccale
Although now nearly extinct in the wild, grapes (vitis vinifera) grew throughout the Mediterranean world and in Italy, grapes were cultivated both... View article
Agenzia Viaggi Stoppini in Assisi handles all technical support for my guided visits (bus transportation, organization of meals, etc)