TRAVEL&DISCOVER Onboard Magazine Winter 2019
ENG
in this edition
Valpolicella & Soave
FOOD • WINE • PLACES OF INTEREST
In collaboration with Italy M.S.T.ravel 1
Half & full day trip suggestions
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taly is full of natural beauty, art and culture, fine cuisine and excellent wines – unique in their kind and known worldwide.
If you’re planning a transfer with us between Milan and Venice, to and from Verona, we’d be happy to advise you on a few truly unique locations and tasting experiences you can have, for a creative and pleasant way to spend a few hours or a full day enjoying what Italy has to offer, making your trip here an unforgettable experience. If you’re interested in one of our Trip Suggestions don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to guide you and suggest you the perfect tour to fit your desires, to help you plan the itinerary, and to accompany you with the vehicles we offer.
Soave
Valpolicella
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Discover
Valpolicella V
alpolicella is an area north of Verona, and surrounds the city with rolling hills. The gentle hills create a landscape where small valleys fan out towards the Veronese plains. Vine rows alternate with olives, cherry, and apricot orchards and groves. The cozy countryside courtyards and sun drenched cobbled streets tell the story of a welcoming land, inhabited by many through the ages. But these hills are best known for the famous wines they produce: the Valpolicella, the Recioto and the hearty Amarone. The Valpolicella Wine Route allows you to taste the products of the local winemaking tradition, while enjoying the beauty and charms of the land surrounding it.
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rom an architectural standpoint, the landscape in Valpolicella is dotted with grandiose Venetian villas and features decorations such as columns and capitals, small roadside churches and chapels, rural churches (pieve), cobbled streets, alleys and medieval manors, which bear witness to the history of the territory. Several nobles hailing from Verona and Venice chose these very hills as the grounds to build their elegant villas, often featuring important artistic details, surrounded by large gardens and parks. Here are three of the many locations you could visit.
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Villa Serego Alighieri Nestled among the hills of Gargagnago, with San Giorgio’s Hill as its stunning background, the villa bears an ancient allure and an even more fantastic name, the famous family name of the descendants of Dante Alighieri himself. The villa consists of different buildings built upon each other, and features dining rooms and bedrooms,
decorated by mosaics, coats of arms, frescoes. A peculiar sight is the dining hall, decorated with a faux gallery and fictional sights of woods and swallow-filled skies painted between the arches. Villa Serego also boasts a long-standing winemaking history.
Villa della Torre One of the most beautiful and most interesting villas in all of Valpolicella, the original project for Villa della Torre is unattributed to this day; initially thought to have been designed by the architect Giulio Romano, theories then shifted to the famous Veronese architect Michele Sanmicheli. Built around 1560 by order of the Della Torre family, the plan is cloistered, reminding of the structure of an Ancient Roman domus. At the
heart of it, three inner courtyards are layered over three levels of the villa; the top-most courtyard opens over the large orchard, and the one at the ground level connects to the garden. The villa merges with the surrounding natural features and the ones brought inside of it. On the topmost courtyard one can find the octagonal temple built by Sanmicheli.
San Giorgio Valpolicella Crowned as an entry on the list of the most beautiful small towns of Italy (“I Borghi più belli d’Italia”) in 2015, we have the township of Sant’Ambrogio, which stands perched on a peak, the parish that gives it its name at the hearth of it. Built with the same calcareous stone that constitutes its foundations, the town is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves; next to its caves, one can enjoy the enchanting sights of panoramas that lead the eye from Lake Garda to Verona, from Valpolicella to the Pianura Padana.
The town gets its name from the church of Saint George, an antique Romanic parish dating back to 712 AD built at the historic center of the town. Within it, there are well-maintained frescoes from the 12th and 13th centuries, and a 6th century AD ciborium. Annexed to the church there is the 12th century cloister, still intact, and a small museum housing a collection of several prehistoric remains from the Iron Age found thanks to the efforts of recent excavations in the surrounding area. 4
Taste
Valpolicella THE WINES
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he Valpolicella DOC is a red wine with a dark carmine color, a strong-bodied and pleasant scent, remindful of bitter almonds, and a dry, velvety taste, with a slightly bitter but harmonious body. It’s characterized by the use of local varieties of grapes, such as the Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, among other varieties that are sourced in the area.
CUISINES MUST-HAVE
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he cuisine of the territory is known for its richness and the variety of local ingredients employed, as well as for the prestigious wines produced here.
Ever since ancient times, noble families from Verona and the very members of the Scaligeri family had been known for the incredible dishes they had prepared during luxurious receptions and banquets, where they entertained their guests with abundant libations and exquisite food.
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hat makes it unique and typical of this region are the peculiar geological and climate circumstances that allow this wine to be produced, and which mirror the uniqueness and variety of the territory where its grapes are grown. Here are three of the most prized wines you can taste in one of the several vineyards and wineries open to the public in Valpolicella.
Valpolicella Ripasso The Valpolicella Ripasso DOC is created when the base of Valpolicella wine rests for 15-20 days on the pomace of Amarone. Ruby red in color with garnet hues, it has a slightly airy scent of fruits with vanilla notes; the taste is sharp, harmonious, dry and soft. For its pleasant characteristics, it’s perfect to be paired with winter first courses, second courses, cold cuts and medium-aged cheeses.
Amarone della Valpolicella The Amarone della Valpolicella is a dark red wine, and its color eventually turns garnet red with aging. The scent is remindful of raisined fruits, tobacco, and spices, also thanks to the noble-molds that generate with the aging process. The taste is intense with strong notes of raisins; it’s dry but soft, full-bodied, hearty and warm. It has a strong profile and can be kept for over 20 years.
Recioto della Valpolicella
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The Recioto is at the core of history and tradition in Valpolicella. This full-bodied wine has a good alcoholic profile and sugary residues that make it sweet and pleasant. The aging process continues past the harvest of the grapes and well into a period that lasts from 100 to 120 days. With a strong garnet red color, the wine has a complex scent profile, with recognizable notes of rose, violet, prune jam and wild fruits. It can be paired with drydough desserts and baked goods, with dark chocolate, and a must-have is to try it with a wedge of spicy cheese.
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his tradition was handed down to local restaurateurs and chefs, who know how to blend tradition and innovation, putting in the first place quality, excellent ingredients and hospitality above everything else. Here are a few traditional dishes that you can’t miss out on.
Veronese Gnocchi Gnocchi made in Verona represent a classic traditional dish of the Veronese cuisine. A staple of local households, the recipe originated from Carnival celebrations, and is widely described and detailed in literary and historic accounts. Gnocchi are a type of pasta meant for immediate consumption, while still freshly made and cooked.
Pastisada de Caval This slow-cooked dish features braised horse meat, wine, vegetables and herbs. Originally meant as a sauce for gnocchi made by the housewives who lived in the San Zeno neighborhood in Verona, it’s now widespread in the region surrounding the city and, while it can be eaten throughout the year, it’s a typical winter dish.
Pearà Sauce This sauce is served exclusively to accompany bollito misto – stew made according to the north Italian tradition, typical of the piedmont and Verona region. The appearance is that of a gravy, it’s light brown or white, creamy and buttery. It has sweet undertones that enhance the protagonist of this sauce: black pepper, added at the end of this unique Veronese dish.
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Discover
Soave
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oave achieved the Bandiera arancione awarded by the Touring Club Italiano: an award assigned to towns in the hinterland with less than 15.000 residents, that can boast beautiful tourist attractions, great hospitality, excellent services provided to tourists, and environmental sustainability. The medieval town of Soave is enclosed within the walls that begin from the castle, and is surrounded by hills covered in vineyards, where the famous Soave wine is birthed.
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he calm and well-preserved town center of Soave is perfect for a stroll between its historic buildings, to shop in small boutiques and stores, and to enjoy a meal in one of its traditional trattorie. North of the town there is the ever-green Val d’Illasi; the valley is home to wealthy mansions and ancient churches, and here you can find the Strada del Vino Soave, an itinerary through the enological traditions of the region. The valley is known for the cherry and apricot orchards, the olive groves and cereal fields, which constitute the countryside’s native produce. Soave is just 30 minutes by car from the city center of Verona, and it’s the perfect destination to spend a few hours enjoying and discovering artistic and natural beauties, just around the corner from the city of Romeo and Juliet.
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Castle of Soave This typical medieval military construction is built atop Monte Tenda in a strategic position, which allows it to tower over the wide plains underneath. It makes for a strong visual impact, and it offers one of the most stunning views of
the Monti Lessini and of the Pianura Padana. Considered the most lavish Castle of Veneto, it houses frescoes, expensive pieces of antique furniture, and original suits of armor and weapons.
Palace of Justice The building sits at the heart of the historical center of the town, in Piazza dell’Antenna. Built in 1375 upon order by Cansignorio della Scala, the structure consists of a loggia with four arched entrances made of chiseled stone, and it has
ogival windows. A small balcony sits at the center of the façade, and here rests a stone statue of the Virgin with Child, supposedly dating back to the 1500’s; beside it are two frescoes depicting Saint Lawrence and Saint John the Baptist.
Chiesa di S. Maria di Monte Santo dei Padri Domenicani The Church of Saint Mary of Monte Santo stands a short distance from Piazza dell’Antenna, along the steep slope that leads to the Castle. Built upon order by Pope Eugene IV in 1443 and given to the Dominican order for the construction of a church and cloister; it was then rebuilt within the century under the guidance of Fra Giocondo, known
for the loggia by the same name in Piazza dei Signori in Verona. The inside consists of a single nave with chapels consecrated to Saint Lucy and Saint Apollonia. Several of the original frescoes have been restored, much to the pleasure and enjoyment of the church’s visitors.
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Taste
Soave THE WINES
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he Strada del vino Soave was born in 1999 and it counts nearly 130 members, including wine-makers, organizations and associations, agriturismi and restaurants, hotels, olive mills, and societies producing, harvesting and selling local produce and foods. With its 50 kilometers of length, it’s the ideal itinerary to discover the surrounding landscape, to visit wine cellars, to taste wine and local dishes, and to experience the hospitality of the locals, first-hand.
CUISINES MUST-HAVE
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he traditional cuisine of this territory is characterized by its richness and in the variety of ingredients and native produce used, along with the local wine-making production. Ever since ancient times, noble families from Verona and the very members of the Scaligeri family had been known for the incredible dishes they had prepared during luxurious receptions and banquets, where they entertained their guests with abundant libations and exquisite food.
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oave Superiore wine, produced in the hills of the Soave region, was granted the denomination of controlled origin in 2011. The wine has such an high quality thanks to the optimal combination of ideal grape plantations, controlled harvest and processing techniques, and excellent conservation of the wine before the bottling process begins.
Soave Superiore DOCG Soave Superiore wine – or Soave Superiore Classico when produced from grapes grown in the so-called “classic” area of production – is only sold after a refining period in the bottle which lasts at least three months, so to safeguard and guarantee its characteristic maturity and complex flavor profile. The straw-yellow color is more intense compare to Soave DOC, while still maintaining the expect clearness of a young white wine; the olfactory profile carries floral notes, but deeper than one would expect, and the mouthfeel is full and slightly bitter.
Recioto di Soave DOCG The Recioto del Soave is the first wine in Veneto to achieve DOCG status in 1998. It’s produced from the best bunches of Garganega grapes, dried on lattices for a period lasting from 4 to 6 months, which are then crushed. Fermentation is slow and lasts a long time, and is carried out in small-sized barrels. Recioto di Soave wine has a brilliant, golden yellow color, and the intensity can vary; the scent is strong and fruity, with notes of vanilla; the taste is sweet, velvety and harmonious, full-bodied and with a woody aftertaste.
Lessini Durello DOC Classico Brut
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Produced from native Durello vineyards, and made with the classic technique employed for the best Champagne, the wine rests with its yeast, bottled, for 36 months. It produces a strong foam, has a straw-yellow color and a full-bodied taste, dry and with a balanced acidic and bitter profile. Very perfumed, it releases a refreshing and sapid sensation. Excellent when paired with baccalà alla vicentina, and with any type of fish; it also makes for a great cocktail wine, or aperitivo.
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his tradition was handed down to local restaurateurs and chefs, who know how to blend tradition and innovation, putting in the first place quality, excellent ingredients and hospitality above everything else. Here are a few traditional dishes that you can’t miss out on.
Risotto Soave-style The recipe is one of the many and delicious ways to prepare the rice variety known as Vialone Nano, a typical ingredient harvested in the province South of Verona. The recipe calls for spring onions, olive oil and vegetable and chicken stock but the real protagonists are the soppressa di Brentòn (a type of cured meat) and Monte Veronese cheese; along with aromatic herbs, the dish transforms into a truly tasty and delicate risotto.
Tagliolini al Radicchio The Radicchio rosso di Verona is a type salad resembling an endive, and it’s widely used in the local cuisine; thanks to its slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture, it’s can be eaten raw or cooked, to achieve a tasty and colorful sauce that is perfect with fresh, homemade pasta (such as tagliolini) and paired with a glass of Soave Superiore DOCG.
Panmojo Panmojo, a traditional rural dish protected by a Brotherhood by the same name, consists of a rich soup made with broth, potatoes, pumpkin, onion, lard and baked bread – the typical leftovers of a rural homestead. A reinvented version of the recipe is now a staple of the local cuisine, and it’s perfect to discover the simple but intense flavors of the past.
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