Lover's Walk -- Cinque Terre, Italy

"Il vino rosso di casa e' locale?" I asked (is the house red wine local?) "Certo" replied the waiter (of course) and went on to explain the wines of Cinque Terre. There are three terms you are likely to see on the label, in ascending order of quality: Cinque Terre Coop. (for cooperative), Cinque Terre Coste and Cinque Terre Forcini Cappellini. All are made from the grapes grown on steep rugged hillsides that fan above the five little villages clinging to the rocky coast north of La Spezia. The rocky terraces have to be built and scaled without machinery, so the local wine tends to be expensive (relative to other Italian wine which is very inexpensive relative to CA wines). The proximity to cooling marine breezes coupled with ample sunshine brings a balanced acidity and fruit to the grapes which are mostly white: the indigenous grapes Vermentino, Bosco and Albarola. Vino bianco frizzante is common--a slightly sparkling white. The red is fresh and fruity with little structure, perfect for a plate of seafood in tomato based sauce like the anchovies and potatoes we enjoyed for lunch. During our cab ride from the port of La Spezia to the train station for Cinque Terre, I asked the driver for restaurant suggestions. The Gambero Rosso in the main square of Vernazza was easy to find and a delightful spot for viewing the harbor and people watching.

When I return home and have unlimited internet access and time, I can flesh out these travel posts with practical information on visiting sights and the good food and wine to sample. In the meantime, I'm posting "tapas style". Just as tapas are little plates of food--just a taste of this and that, my travel postings will be the same--a moment here and there for me to remember particularly good experiences in case I have the good fortune to return again someday.