Prosecco Wine Tour

Saturday, June 21

This past weekend Preston and I went on  Prosecco Wine Tour. I had randomly stumbled upon it while on one of the many Aviano Facebook pages. This was a non-profit event, hosted by one of the military spouses who was born and raised here in Italy. She started doing these events not too long ago to educate people on the different wines in Italy and also she knows a lot about the different areas of Italy from growing up here. Also she is really nice and helpful. If you ask her any question she will probably have the answer, she had them all for me :)

Next months winery event is going to be in Friuli, where sweet wine is made. I'm very excited for this one, as I'm a big fan of sweet wines! There's no date set yet, she was just telling us what she's planning and setting up for next month. If you want to look at her website for more information about her events, its: http://www.avianowinetasting.com/

For the event we had to meet in the Ovvio Parking Lot at 8:20am to leave no later than 8:30am. We all got onto a 29 passenger bus and headed to our first winery. All of these wineries are located on Prosecco Road which is about 45 minutes to an hour away from base. There are some amazing views as you drive along to the first winery. You get to see some really cool old Italian homes and towns.

The first winery we went to was Colvendra, which is up in the mountain and has an amazing view! When we got there both of us thought, "this is what you think of when you think of Italy, beautiful green fields and vineyards for miles".

We got to sample 6 different types of Prosecco. When I first heard of Prosecco when I came to Italy, I just thought there was only one type, but I apparently was way wrong. The main different Proseccos are Brut, Extra Dry and Dry. They are made by glera grapes, which actually used to be called prosecco grapes and only in certain regions in Italy. Also with trying the different wines we had bread, cheese, prosciutto (dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced, which is actually pretty good) and these really good bread sticks.

After all the sampling's we ended up buying 2 bottles at this place. The one on the right is an award winning Prosecco.

On to the next place...

Next winery was Merotto. Where we got to try 6 more different Proseccos.

At this winery we ended up buying two more bottles. The one on the right is also an award winning Prosecco. The paper that it is wrapped up in is the layout of the area where the glera grapes are grown.

(Right, award winning Prosecco wrapped in a map of the region )

(Right, award winning prosecco without wrapping)

After this winery it was time for lunch. I can't remember the name of the ristorante we went to, but it was amazing! You had a view of a vineyard while up on the mountain. You could sit either inside or outside. We all sat outside. It was perfect weather for it and who would not want to have that amazing view right next to them!

We got served a traditional Italian style meal, from beginning to end. So you better come hungry because you get enough to probably feed a family. And they usually don't like when you leave food on your plate, but a lot of people do it. We started off with wine, of course, and also water to choose from. And also the bread basket you will almost always get at an Italian restaurant. The first course that came out was marinara with mozzarella and croutons. At first I had no idea what this was and wasn't sure if I was going to even like it but it was actually really good.

Next came the risotto with Prosecco. I thought it tasted pretty good with the Prosecco mixed into it.

Then the pasta. Can't ever forget about that...

Salad

Now for the main dishes. You got a portobello mushroom, veggies, potatoes, steak and a huge piece of chicken, which that I forgot to take a picture of.

Lastly, for dessert we could choose from 3 different items. I choose the tiramisu while Preston choose the nut ice cream topped with chocolate sauce. We each tried each others and both were good in different ways. Pays to have somebody to share with, you get to try more things :)

After being completely stuffed with food, that was really good I must say, it was time to head to our last winery.

The views at the wineries are always amazing!!

At this winery we actually got to walk around and see where they make the wine and then watch them bottle it.

Then we got to go in the basement where some of the wine was being fermented. Some have been down there since 1999! That's so long ago!

Also while down there we got to sample their wine. We tried about 5 different Proseccos here. This winery I would have to say was my least favorite for the tastings. But I did love being able to see where and how they make their wine, that's always the fun part!

As per usual on a tour you will always run later than what you had planned. So our leader made sure everyone didn't have to be back for anything so we could stop at the castle on the way back. I'm so glad nobody said they had to be back because who doesn't love going to a castle. Plus this castle was also made into a hotel.

To get up to the castle you have to take an elevator, but not your ordinary one. You are on the outside of the mountain and you can watch the surroundings as you go up.

We were given a certain amount of time to explore the castle however we pleased. There was a small museum inside the castle (hotel), where there were old suits of armor and swords people wore back in the day.

Also, while walking around on the outside they had old carriages that were also used back in the day.

Time to head back to the bus and head home.

I would definitely recommend and go on her tours again. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot more interesting facts about wine, or should I say Prosecco. Hopefully soon I will be an expert on wine! :)