A Taste of Italy

When it’s cold outside and Christmas is over, a good warming homemade minestrone will make you feel cosy. With the added bonus of being full of goodness what more could you want?

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?

Vinchio Vaglio Serra is a “Vinegrowers Association” located near Asti in the town of Vinchio. Far from your typical “social winery,” Vinchio Vaglio Serra controls all aspects of the production process from vine to bottle.

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