The high quality of Moak’s products comes out from the careful research of raw materials you can find on the international market and from a production process that uses the most advanced and efficient technologies, yet maintaining the deepest tradition of handmade roasting, in order to guarantee its clients a range of products able to satisfy every palate and every need.

Each coffee quality is roasted separately from the others. That way, every type of coffee bean reaches an ideal roasting level and a balanced blend with reference to taste, acidity and flavour can be created. The synergy between experience and advanced technology allows us to produce high quantities of coffee, maintaining an intact quality of handmade roasting.

So, our blends are easily identified by lines and products and are immediately referable to Moak’s identity.

These are just some of the products which you can buy in our coffee shop at www.atasteofitaly.ie.  Just click on “ THE COFFEE SHOP” on the left hand side.

PASQUALE’S TIME IN A VINEYARD!

Just click on the link to see what she has prepared

Why do we do these things? – to ensure that when we offer you A Taste of Italy, we are offering the real thing!

Ingredients (for 4 people):

• Half an onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, quartered lengthways and chopped into small cubes
• 1 stick celery, quartered lengthways and finely sliced
• 1 more vegetable of choice cut into small pieces
• 1 tin cannellini beans (or 200gr dried cannellini beans soaked overnight in cold water)
• 1/2 tin chopped tomatoes
• 500ml Chicken or vegetable stock
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 200g small pasta shapes (or you can break up spaghetti into small lengths)
• 500ml water
• salt

 In a large saucepan, heat the oil and then sauté the onions until soft. Add the bacon/pancetta if you are using it and cook for a couple of minutes. Then add the carrots, celery and your extra vegetable (I often use a handful of green beans, a courgette or some broccoli but this is a great way to use up vegetables from the fridge). Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring well and then add the beans and the chopped tomato. Pour the stock over the top, bring to the boil and let it simmer for about an hour and a half (you can do it in 30 minutes if you are using tinned beans).

In a second small saucepan, boil the water and salt to taste (dissolve the salt in the water, then taste the water to see if you like the taste and add more salt or water accordingly). Add the pasta and cook for the time stated on the packet.

Mix the pasta with the minestrone and serve hot with crusty bread, ground pepper and a sprinkling of parmesan.

We enjoyed ours with a glass of Barbera from Vinchio Vaglio Serra. How will you enjoy yours?

We are very excited to share with you the scores we recently received from Antonio Galloni in the Wine Advocate.  Writing in Issue 197 of October 2011, he said:

 “This is a gorgeous set of entry-level wines from Luciano Sandrone that speak to the estate’s unwavering commitment to quality throughout the range. These are fabulous wines that make a great introduction to the work of one of Piedmont’s leading estates.”

 Thank you Antonio for recognizing that we take quality at every level extremely seriously. We strive to put the same care, passion and dedication into every bottle we make, whether it be the basic Dolcetto or a bottle of Barolo Cannubi Boschis.

 Here are the comments and scores for the entry-level wines just released:

2009 Nebbiolo d’Alba “Valmaggiore”  92 points

 ”The 2009 Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore is striking. It flows from the glass with sweet red fruits, flowers, spices and herbs in a very representative expression of this site. This is a gorgeous, poised Nebbiolo with wonderful mid-palate sweetness and fabulous overall balance. A clean, saline finish gives the wine its focus and proportion on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019.”

  2009 Barbera d’Alba  90 points

“The 2009 Barbera d’Alba impresses for its silkiness, finesse and sheer harmony. This is a mid-weight vintage for the Barbera, but here, too, the wine’s balance is totally irresistible. This shows lovely mid-palate pliancy in a feminine style that is incredibly appealing. Sweet dark cherries, flowers and subtle hints of French oak linger on the polished, impeccable finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.” 

2010 Dolcetto d’Alba  90 points

“The 2010 Dolcetto d’Alba is a beautifully articulated, vibrant wine loaded with varietal character. In keeping with the personality of the year, this is less fruit driven than many other recent vintages, but that is actually a plus here given the low yields that inform the estate’s wines. The Dolcetto shows terrific intensity and verve from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.”

We would also like to thank all of you who have supported and enjoyed our wines over the years. We truly appreciate your continued interest and we will always strive to exceed your expectations for our wines.

 With warmest regards, 

 Luciano Sandrone

Barbara Sandrone

Luca Sandrone

You can find Sandrone wines in our on-line shop at www.atasteofitaly.ie

We look forward to seeing you there

Their wines have garnered the highest possible praise from Gambero Rosso, and for good reason. The Barbera grape thrives in the hills of Monferrato, and Vinchio Vaglio Serra truly knows Barbera.

The many growers associated with Vinchio Vaglio Serra have a long history with the cantina. Founded in 1959, the cantina has dedicated itself to promoting the illustrious, if often under-rated Barbera grape. Although they produce many other wines, Barbera is clearly the focus at this modern winery. All of the members of the winery are committed to working with a low environmental impact, reducing the use of pesticides.

The focus on quality in the vineyard is immediately recognisable when opening a bottle, and affirmed when visiting the vineyards surrounding the town of Vinchio. A more peaceful setting cannot be imagined, with the surrounding hills covered in vines, primarily Barbera.

But Vinchio Vaglio Serra is not limited toBarbera.  Their Barolo and Barbaresco are excellent representations of Nebbiolo, and you can also try their Moscato and Brachetto.

Vinchio – Vaglio Serra wines have won awards across the world.

In our shop you can buy La Romantica  2010 – a cabernet merlot mix which won a bronze medal in the Korean wine challenge.

Or if you prefer Barbera, we have I Tre Vescovi 2009 which was awarded a silver medal in the international wine challenge 2011, a bronze medal in Decanter WWA 2011 and silver (best in class) in IWSC 2011.

Sei Vigne Insynthesis has won Gold medals from Decanter and from ISWC as well as 2 red glasses from Gambero Rosso. This isn’t on the website but is available upon request.

These wines and more are available from our on line shop at www.atasteofitaly.ie

Enjoy a bottle of Vinchio Vaglio Serra wine today

Salcheto have achieved this in part by reducing their need for electricity through innovative energy saving tenchniques such as solar collectors, vertical gardens and the capture and circulation of cool night air to provide air conditioning in the summer. The gases produced during the fermentation process can be used to stir the must.

35% of the energy  gained from biomass is obtained from the vines themselves with sustainable hedge, bush and tree management providing the rest of the biomass energy.

Geothermic energy is used through 400 meters of probes buried throughout the vineyards.

Solar energy provides the remaining needs.

Salcheto have created their new innovative winery with accessiblilty for visitors and would welcome anybody who wishes to take a stroll along the paths through the terrain or browse through the visitor centre.

Salcheto have also made the notable achievement of being able to provide the first European Carbon Footprint for a bottle of wine, thanks to a scientific committee established around the company’s projects and coordinated by Prof. Domenico Andreis of Siena University. The result of this research which constitutes a first benchmark for the industry is 2.02 kg CO2 equivalent per 750 ml bottle of wine, first index of such a kind to be certified worldwide inside an inventory based on ISO 14064 standard.

Well done Salcheto.

 Cupramontana, the ancient native land of verdicchio, is situated in the heart of the Marches, on one of the sunny, green hills bordering the valley of the Esino river.
There the Bonci family has been producing and marketing wine for at least three generations.

The special microclimate, the careful selection of grape, the careful selection of grapes, many years of artisan experience in wine making, combined with the use of the most up to date techniques, make Vallerosa Bonci a leading farm in the field of quality wines.

ROSSO PICENO DOC 2009

Made from Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes, this ruby red wine has marked fruity and floral aromas. On the palate it is rich and full-bodied with traces of plum and carob.

It matches perfectly with all pasta, meat and cheese dishes.

VERDICCHIO CLASSICO DOC 2010

This is a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi made with 100% verdicchio grapes. It has a straw colour with green reflections. The aroma is fresh and aromatic and on the palate it is caressing and sapid with a good persistence.

It should be drunk with pasta, risotto or soup as well as white meats, fish and fresh cheese.

WHITE WINES

Podere Castorani (Jarno Trulli) 

Amorino Pecorino Abruzzo DOC 2010

A Pecorino with an intense straw yellow colouring and an aroma of pears, white flowers and exotic fruit.

To the palate it is well structured with exotic and citrus fruit, full and caressing, with an aftertaste of ripe fruit.

Gianni Gagliardo

Fallegro Langhe DOC 2010

Made from favorita grapes in the Roero region, this white has a delicate aroma, reminiscent of acacia flowers and an elegantly tart, slightly fizzy taste.

It is perfect as an aperitif or ideal on pate, with oily dishes, tarts with butter, smoked salmon caviar, fish.

 RED WINES

 San Fabiano Calcinaia

Chianti Classico DOCG 2008

From the Sangiovese vineyards of San Fabiano (250 m). It ages in barrels of 2nd and 3rd passage for a period of 12 months and then it stays in the bottle at least three months. It is the synthesis of Chianti tradition: land and vines, combined with modern winemaking and more time to care quality. Suitable for ready consumption, however, it improves after a medium period of ageing

 SPARKLING WINES

          Nino Franco

          Faíve Rosé Brut

          Variety and grapes: 80% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc
         Type: Rosé Brut
         The wine has a rose petal pink colour. A long persistence, creamy, brut but with natural softness and fruity aromas of red fruit and pears

It is very good as an aperitif but also perfect throughout the whole meal

The winery was first built in 1908 and has been operating under the name of Selva Capuzza since 1983.

These wines are produced with full commitment to the local and indigenous grape varieties through the experience of four generations of wine making.

Selva Capuzza is a peculiar place located between the lake and the hills, it shows unique characters such as the particular soil made of clay and stones and a height that offers a healthy ventilation.

These wines want to express the feeling of the place, the character of the local tradition, the identity of the indigenous grapes.

A Taste of Italy now offers two of these exceptional wines – Lugana San Vigilio and Garda Classico Groppello San Bagio.

We’ll also have some great pasta, sauces, breadsticks and dips on sale.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Christine