Although now nearly extinct in the wild, grapes (vitis vinifera) grew throughout the Mediterranean world and in Italy, grapes were cultivated both in northern and central Italy by the Etruscans and in the south…
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My October 17, 2020 ZOOM presentation, “Italy’s Wine Mystique in History and Art” included – logicamente! – an exploration of the cult of the Roman god Bacchus, so often depicted in triumph as…
I hadn’t seen Giuseppa in many months, for I haven’t been guiding visitors through the wonders of Umbria in many months due to global travel restrictions. Perugia/Deruta was always a much loved…
The mystique of wine originates in pre-historic times as the fruit of the vitis vinifera – the Euro-asiatic grapevine cultivated in all continents except the Antarctic – was first turned into wine…
For my upcoming ZOOM presentation (October 10th) on the art and cultural history of wine from pre-Roman times to the present, I wanted to include a vineyard visit in the Montefalco area…
For my next ZOOM (October 10th) on the culture, folklore and artistic traditions of wine from the Romans until today, an interview with Peppa on wine’s use in rural cultures must be…
Flags and banners are integral to the celebration of Calendimaggio in Assisi and not just those representing the two districts, La Magnifica Parte di Sopra and La nobilissima Parte de Sopra…. ..but…
Preparing my September 26th hour-long ZOOM presentation “Assisi’s Calendimaggio: From Roman Rites to Medieval Splendor” has been a challenge: so much to share! Just the subject of the banners and flags alone…
Assisi’s glorious celebration of springtime, Calendimaggio, is above all una festa di amore, “a festival of love,” the love and passione of the assisani of all ages for their beloved early May…
Actually, when walking through Assisi, you won’t want to “zoom” past the over fifty outdoor frescoes and small shrines adorning the walls of homes, medieval city gates, and entrances to medieval guildhalls. But…