Of Asti, Cooking Class and ... Missing Him

We set off for the city of Asti yesterday morning. The name should be familiar to many Americans because of the famous Asti Spumante -- a sweet, sparkling wine that is produced in the area from the Moscato grape. The spumante has a somewhat dubious reputation, but its more respectable sibling is Moscato d'Asti. But we didn't go to Asti to taste wine. We went to stroll around open-air markets and to attend a cooking class taught by Chef Enrico Trova at La Scuola di Cucina di Asti. 

On the menu were, as antipasto, Tortino di Verdura con Fonduta (mixed vegetable flan with cheese), as primo, Gnocchi al Ragu Piemontese, and for dessert, Bunet (Chocolate and Almond Cookie Flan). I sat patiently as Chef Enrico went through all the steps in making the three courses while others took copious notes. I don't cook, you see, and I wasn't about to start learning with something as complicated as Gnocchi Al Ragu Piemontese. I was content to watch ... and eat the finished product.

Chef Enrico

Gnocchi is made, essentially, from potatoes. Here, Chef Enrico peels the skins
off the potatoes that will be transformed into gnocchi.

A bit of flour and an eggs are added to the cooled potatoes, which will be kneaded into the dough
to make the little gnocchi dumplings.

And the transformation begins ...

Trying on Chef Enrico's onion-chopping glasses.

The finished, oh so good, product.

Meanwhile, it's time to work on the appetizer, one of the yummiest things I've ever tasted.

Preparing the cheese sauce

Yum. Yum. Yum.

And then, of course, dessert.

The graduating class of May 30, 2018

This trip has been amazing. I absolutely loved my bike tour across southern Italy, and this week in Piemonte has been fun and fascinating. It is an extension and a reflection of the life I have constructed for myself during the past two years since Mark's death. Most of the time, though I miss Mark, I am fine. But there are times when a wave of grief sweeps me off my feet and the pain of missing him flares with intensity.

One of those times occurred last night during dinner. I didn't expect it, and it surprised me--as is always the case--with its intensity. I had been talking to someone about something--I can't remember now--and was scrolling through pictures on my camera. I came to several taken during our visit to southern Bavaria in the fall of 2015, and the memory of all the magical moments we shared there came cascading to the forefront of my mind. And, suddenly, though I am happy and grateful for this amazing trip and all that I have, I missed him. I always will. I lost it a bit, but friends were there to help me breathe through it. And life goes on. And I'm grateful for it.

Alba, Al Fresco, and Alfieri

This wine trip continues to be an embarrassment of riches, so to speak. Rich experiences wrapped in gorgeous views, lovely wines and beautiful people.

Our day started out yesterday with a visit to Punset Winery, whose owner, Marina Marcarino, was and is a pioneer, not only as a female producer in what used to be a man's world, but also in biodynamic vineyard management and wine production not only in the Barbaresco zone but in Piemonte and Italy as well.

Barbaresco vineyards below Sunset

Marina Marcarino

Marina, who had just returned from a business trip to the United States the day before, treated us not only to a few of her wines but as well presented us with a fascinating discussion of her approach to biodynamics and the difference that approach has made to her wines.

Neive, one of the three villages of the Barbaresco denomination,
viewed across the valley from Punset.

Sheral, Marina and Suzanne

From Punset, we headed to the village of Barbaresco itself for an al fresco luncheon in the middle of town. There, we were joined by Davide Pasquero, who combines his international business background, his deep knowledge of wine and his passion for cycling in the services offered by his company, Terroir Selection. Obviously, Davide and I had no shortage of topics to discuss over lunch.

Davide Pasquero and me

From Barbaresco, we headed to Alba, one of the largest towns in the region, for a few hours of strolling, shopping and aperitivi. 

A (somewhat blurry) shot of the vineyard landscape as we headed from Barbaresco to Alba.

My new discovery: a Contrattino, Alba's answer to an Aperol Spritz.

From Alba, it was back to our home base of Marchesi Alfieri. Awaiting us was an enchanting evening of simple dinner fare, wonderful wines and interaction with yet more members of Suzanne Hoffman's extended wine producer families, including Marina Marsaglia, owner of Cantina Marsaglia, all in the beautiful setting of the orangerie of the Castello Alfieri.

One of the owners of Marchesi Alfieri,
Donna Giovanna San Martino di San Germano, dropped in to say hello.

Marina Marsaglia, owner of Cantina Marsaglia, who brought bottles of two of her delicious Roero Arneis.

Suzanne Hoffman, Marina Marsaglia and her husband, Emilio, and Donna Giovanna.

Lori, Michelle and Mandy pose with a photograph of La Tota -- both the bottle of Marches Alfieri wine that was served and a photograph of the Alfieri relative (who was a single woman) for whom the wine is named. 

Our group, along with Davide Pasquale, Marina Marsaglia and her husband, Emilio.
What a night!