Futants are you still living in Austin? Beyond the days at Numbers I think our paths may have crossed more than once. I've got several friends here in Austin that are involved in the wine business. Ever do any business with Joe? I seem to remember you were friends with Dennis (KD Ice) as well, but I may be thinking of someone else.
I plan on going to southern Italay soon and checking out the town my grandparents are from, the only place I have been on the north is venice NONE!!!
been to italy many times, albeit not in the last ten years. my first paying gig was in Palermo, and I spent 6 weeks there '84. been two summers in Spoleto, '85 and '99, and two months in Milano in '87 (and a week that summer in Venice.) except for Milan, which i found pretty drab, it's all been interesting, with wonderful people, and of course, exceptional food and wine. maybe my fav was in '99, we took a trip to Norcia, on the border of Umbria and Le Marche. it's an old walled town, birthplace of St. Benedict (Benedict of Nursia), and sits at the foot of the Monte Sibilini, a mountain range that runs down the spine of italy. there's a national park there: http://www.sibillini.net/en/index.html maybe the most spectacular alpine scenery i've ever scene, and well south of Florence (so an easy drive from Rome, if you're flying). we just had lunch, at a little town called casteluccio. but when i was researching the dessert wine mentioned above (Nontiscordardime- which is also the title of a neopolitan song "No Ti Scordar di Me"), i came across this place: http://www.primitaly.it/bb/nontiscordardime/uk.htm which looks like a lovely place to spend a holiday...
I lived in Sicily for four years, 89-93, when I was in the military. When I arrived, I had to take an orientation course about the base, the local economy, what to expect. Warned about culture shock. I never had culture shock THERE. I had culture shock when I returned home. I love my country, but all the things about Italy that I could no longer enjoy. History blended with the modern day. Beautiful language. Beautiful countryside. (Yes, and the beautiful women, although I'm doing well for myself in that department.) The place was stunning and calming at the same time. I finally found a decent cup of caffe here in Houston, but the girarosto, the chicken cooked over a wood fire on spits, with roasted potatoes. Sorry, Macaroni Bar and Grille, you try, but....no.
