Sunday, August 9, 2009

Wine and Food Lake Como Area

What about food?
In this part of Lombardy the cuisine is divided into three main sectors. The lake cuisine specializes in fish with some local favorites such as dried shad. The area around Tremezzo is known for vegetables such as asparagus. The mountain cuisine is based on polenta, a sort of corn bread often flavored with cheese or cheese, butter, and garlic.

Other mountain specialties include free-range chickens, kid, and game. The third category is valley cuisine based on cattle and cheese, especially Taleggio and various goat milk cheeses.Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Fettuccine con Funghi (Fettuccine with Mushrooms.) Then try Agnoni all Comasca (Lake Como Fried Fish with Anchovy Filets). For dessert indulge yourself with Torte Paradiso con Mascarpone (Sponge Cake with Mascarpone Cheese.)

Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.We conclude with a quick look at Lombardy wine. Lombardy ranks number 11 of the 20 Italian regions when it comes to acreage devoted to wine grapes and the total annual wine production. The region produces about 62% red and ros?nd 38% white wine, but there is little ros?

There are 15 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Over 47% of Lombardy wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the sparkling Franciacorta said to compete with French Champagne and priced accordingly, the red Sforzato di Valtellina, and the red Valtellina Superiore.Interestingly enough no DOC wines originate in the vicinity of Lake Como, Lake Orta, or Lake Maggiore. However, Bergamo is home to two DOC wines, Valcalepio and Scanzo/Moscato di Scanzo.

The Valcalepio DOC is vinified in several styles. The dry red and the dry white come from international grape varieties such as Merlot and Chardonnay. The sweet white wine comes from a local grape and has recently been classified at the Scanzo/Moscato di Scanzo DOC.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Lake Como Forum

Lake Como Destination Experts Great Information








RE: Lake Como A to Z Kat_Testarossa
82 forum posts .....Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions
http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-forums/Kat_Testarossa

Eating in Lake Como

A Lake Como restaurant is more than just a place to eat your meal...in fact, it could become more like your sanctuary...a place where you let your thought float away...
...where you can enjoy stimulating and relaxing conversations with other people...
...and where happy and cheerful waitors cater to your every need.
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Wine Tasting In Lake Como

If you will be visiting Lake Como or the surrounding area and are considering a private wine tour, than this excursion may be just right for you. We have designed these private, luxury tours for the leisurely gourmet traveller who is looking for a solid mix of food, wine and culture. On this tour, you'll visit an ancient castle, taste wonderful wines, dine in an authentic Trattoria off the beaten path, and finish the day by visiting a delightful medieval town, shopping or sipping on a glass of wine in a charming piazza.
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http://www.cellartours.com/italy/wine-tours/lake-como-bergamo-tasting.html

Legendary Lake Como


The beauty and allure of Italy's Lake Como are legendary.

"Unequalled on earth for its loveliness," gushed Henri Stendahl. "I do not know of any land so conspicuously blessed by heaven," declared Franz Lizst. "I want nothing more than to live here and die here," exclaimed Gustave Flaubert. When you experience the magic of Lake Como you'll understand these lofty sentiments. For me, the lake represents the ultimate convergence of nature and art - pristine lake and mountain environment together with old world villas, classical gardens, and picture postcard villages.

Add to this pleasant summer weather, pedestrian-friendly villages with few cars, ferryboats as the main form of transport, ancient mountainside hiking trails with stunning views, and we have ingredients for the perfect holiday.

Most of the villas, gardens, and picturesque villages are in the central area of the lake, near Bellagio.
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