Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Slow Wine Tour New York 2018

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With TOMASO PEPITONE (L) Robert D and MYSELF (R)

SLOW WINE NEW YORK 2018

EATALY DOWNTOWN

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BORGOGNO

Long One of The World's Great BAROLO HOUSES

They Did Not Disappoint 

 

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Antica Casa Scarpa

The House of ANTICA CASA SCARPA was for me the overall winner as far as having the Best Selection on their table. It was Amazing, starting with : Barbera d Asti "La Bogliona" , a wonderful Brachetto Secco (Dry Brachetto) and the undisputed Winner of The Event, The Barbaresco Casa Scarpa 1989 was Kick Ass and probably the Best Wine I've Had so far this year (2018). I really enjoyed the tasting at this table, it was superb.

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Ran into my Old Buddy ALEX at EATALY

 

Alex and I Opened DEL POSTO Back in 2006

ALEX was a Valued SOUS CHEF and BANQUET CHEF

While I was The MANAGER of The ENOTECA at DEL POSTO

We Worked Dam Hard and Had Fun Working Together along

with The Great MARK LADNER who was The EXECUTIVE CHEF

at DEL POSTO

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BUSSIATTA

  The BUSSIATTA PASTA con SALSICCIA e RAPINI made by Alex and his team and was out of this World. So good that I had 5 portions over the course of 5 hours, along with  , #ProsciuttoDiParma MORTADELLA , PECORINO , and SALAMI and GORGONZOLA . "I kept going back to the Bussiatta." Awesome !!!    

RECIPE

     
SLOW WINE TOUR NEW YORK 2018
 
 
EATALY DOWNTOWN
 
March 1 , 2018
 
 
NEW YORK
 
"GOING to The Most IMPORTANT ITALIAN WINE TASTING of The YEAR Today"
TRE BICCHIERI 2018
NEW YORK , NY 
 
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
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MANGIA BENE
MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD
DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
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Prosecco in Venice with Joe

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Me and Cousin Joe
 
"Drinking Prosecco"
 
At a WINE BAR iN VENICE
 
 
 
 
Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 
and Joeseph T. Macari Jr.
 
President Macari Vineyards
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Tuesday, February 13, 2018

DiFara Pizza is NewYork s Best

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The Zen Master of Pizza

Mr. Dom DeMarco

DiFara Pizza, Brooklyn New York

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DiFara Pizza,  Avenue J Brooklyn , NEW YORK

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Dom DeMarco with Another One of His Masterpieces

Eating a Pizza Made by Dom DeMarco's is a Religious Experience !!!

"Yes," Eating Pizza Made by The Maestro DOM DeMARCO

Is a Religious Experience !!!
Much has been said of the now famed Pizzeria (DiFarra Pizza) on Avenue J in Brooklyn, New York the Capital of Thee Best Pizza in the whole United States of America, bar-none, even Manhattan. Brooklyn lays claim to the Top two Pizzerias in the country, the top of the list 1 and 2, number 1, The Best and number 2, the second best. Well no, I don't know if I should put it that way, as it sound s as one is better than the other, which is not ht e case, as they are both equally good, equally Great and equally the Best Pizza and the Best Pizzerias in the United States, though they are are little different than one another. The Pizza at both Totonno's on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York and Di Farra Pizza on Avenue J in Brooklyn are both otherworldly specimens of some the Finest Pizza on other and the Undisputed Best Pizza in America.
Wow, got off on a tangent about both Di Farra and Totonno's when I just intended to talk about Di Farra Pizza, Dom DeMarco the Maestro of Di Farra's and the Religious experience that it is to go there, watch Dominic masterfully make Pizza after glorious Pizza (without the help of anyone else), to watch in awe and anticipation and Salivation til you finally get yours (after about a hour or hour and a half wait), you hold it in your hand like a precious baby, and then to sink your teeth into it, savoring each wondrous bite after the other. "Yes," it is truly a religious experience, that is, if you are a great lover of this wonderful invention, created in Napoli, spread throughout the the Italian Peninsular and then across the Atlantic to America from Italian Immigrants where Gennaro Lombardi opened the First Pizzeria in America on Prince Street in New York City some 100 years ago or so.
Back to Di Farra and Pizzaiolo Extraordinaire, Mr. Dominic DeMarco. It is Dominic that makes Di Farra what it is, it certainly isn't the Pizzeria itself which is ultra plain and even appalling to some. Mr. DeMarco's pizzas are just about as close to absolute perfection in the Pizza Making World, a world in which New York City excels and has only one rival in Naples, Italy and the whole of Italy itself. Mr. De Marco has the magic touch, with perfect dough, the perfect balance of ingredients, tomato and other ingredient ratio to cheese, and this include Mr. Demarcos judicious use of Olive Oil which is right-on and a little magic touch that whoever complains about it, just does not know there Pizza and Italian Food on a whole. We Italians love our olive oil. And those who complain are unaware that it is a condiment that adds the final last touch to many dishes before they are eaten. Dominic knows this and should not be discourage against his generous use of it by those who do not understand the proper essence of the Italian Table. So please, keep your traps shut, if you don't like it don't eat it, this countries finest examples of the Pizza Art.
And on to the religious experience of Di Farra, Dom DeMarco and the mans artistry with Pizza. There is nothing quite like it in the entire Pizza World. There does not exist, to my knowledge any place in the world that has an elderly man making a hundred plus Pizzas a day in a place that has endless lines, day and night. Pizza that are so perfect, words can not describe People line up for greatness and artistry, and for a couple of slices of the most marvelous pizza this side of Naples, and to watch this passionate little old man work his heart out, not getting, not allowing anyone else to make a pie at his beloved Pizzeria. The man is elderly. He's worked his whole life. He makes such a magical thing that people line up each and every day to see him and eat one of his many masterpieces. With business like this, he could hire to other Pizzaiolos to help him, doubling or tripling his business and and financial intake. He could hire two guys and make pizza aloing with them, or sit back and get three guys to do it. At his age, he's entitled to. But know, Dom DeMarco loves what he does, he loves his Pizza, each and every one that passes that counter and into thousands of appreciative hands. The man feels that no one else can make a Pizza the way he does and wants to serve to his customers. No one else who has his skills, his passion and love for the Pizza, thus he does it all himself. And this my friends is the reason that going to Di Farra's to watch Dominic the maestro in action, all by himself while hundreds of people line up every day, waiting an hour and a half to two hours just to get a Pizza (not just any old Pizza mind you). "It's a Religious Experience." Truly! A show and there is nothing like it in the World, Dom DeMarco, a man and his Pizza, America's Best, and something to rival that other World Pizza Capital, Napoli.
   
by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

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Everything About CHIANTI





CHIANTI CLASSICO

CASTELLO VERRAZZANO

"It's REAL CHIANTI" !!!


EVERYTHING YOU WANT to KNOW

ABOUT CHIANTI

BUT WERE AFRAID to ASK ?






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Sunday, November 19, 2017

VILLA MARIA LEMON FARM MINORI ITALY













The FOOD GUY

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Visits VILLA MARIA AGRITURISMO

In MINORI , ITALY

On The AMALFI COAST

Also : NAPOLI , CAPRI , PSOITANO , AMALFI

RAVELLO and SORRENTO

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CAPRI

ITALY



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Capri

View to Marina Grande from Anacapri



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Marina Picolo
with Faraglioni Rocks in the Distance



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My Boatman at Blue Grotto




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Lemonade Stand Anacapri


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POSITANO



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Old Taxi of Capri





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Church in Anacapri

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Clock Tower at The Piazza Umberto




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My View at The Breakfast table
at Villa Maria Agroturismo Lemon Farm
Minori Italy


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My Breakfast Villa Maria Minori
Coffee Homemade Jams Sfogiatelle


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Me & Vincenzo Villa Maria


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Pacceri with Clams
My First lunch at Villa Maria



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My Room at Villa Maria Minor Italy




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Dining Fresco Villa Maria


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Villa Maria




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Salumeria DeMartino Anacapri



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Having Lunch at Da Vincenzo Positano



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Positano
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Grand View of Sorrento

Sunset




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Me at Trattoria da .. Convent Sorrento



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My Lunch at  Trattoraia Convento
Spaghetti with Mussels





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Sunday, November 12, 2017

The Number 1 Best Italian Cookbook 3 Years Running

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SUNDAY SAUCE

WHEN ITALIAN AMERICANS COOK

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Sunday Sauce is a Best Seller on Amazon.com .. SUNDAY SAUCE which is Published in Paperback and Kindle Editions has been Amazon's # 1 BEST SELLING ITLIAN COOKBOOK on Amazon Kindle for more than 3 Years. In that 3 Years, Sunday Sauce by Daniel Bellino Zwicke has spent more time than any other Italian Cookbooks in Top # 1 Slot on Amazon .. More than any Italian Cookbooks by LIDIA BASTIANICHMARIO BATALI , Giada DeLaurentiis ,  or any other ITALIAN COOKBOOK AUTHOR in the World ...

  SUNDAY SAUCE - When Italian Americans Cook is by far the # 1 Most Defining Cookbook on this great Italian-American subject. The subject of Italian-America's most Celebrated Dish : SUNDAY SAUCESUNDAY SAUCE (aka GRAVY ). The book has several recipes for this supreme dish, including : CLEMENZA 'S GODFATHER MOB WAR SAUCE , The SINATRA FAMILY 'S favorite recipe , and SUNDAY SAUCE alla BELLINO In addition to all the great recipes, including : Nonno Bellino's Shoemaker Chicken Scarpara , Mommy's STUFFED PEPPERS , how to Make a MEATBALL PARM and more, the book is filled with delightful stories of Italian-American Food , peoples, and culture. The stories are wonderful, and will make you fill as though you're in the kitchen with the author, his aunts and Grandma. Yes the book is quite a delight, and will give any who own a copy, years of inspiration and great joy. Basta la pasat, e che vediamo presto.    

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Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

with Cousin Joe Macari (L)

and Friend James Starace (R)

at Macari Vineyards

Summer 2017

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

King of Barbaresco



Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke (R)
with
ITALO STUPINO  
"The KING of SANTA STEFANO"
BARBARESCO
at
WINEBOW PORTFOLIO TASTING 2014
New York, NY




CASTELLO di NEIVE BARBARESCO 
From ITALO STUPINO


I drank through and tasted all of Italo's phenomenal Barbarescos as well as his; Dolcetto d' Alba Basarin 2011,
Pinot Noir 2012, and Barbaresco Santa Stefano 2006 & 2009 ... Italo is The King of Santa Stefano .. He has the only vineyard. He used to sell fruit to Bruno Giacosa, but the contract is up and Italo will be the only one in the World making Barbaresco Santa Stefano from now on. We drank the base Barbaresco Castello del Neive 2010 and the Barbaresco Santa Stefano 2009, both awesome, but the Santa Stefano had a slight edge of awesomeness. But not by much, both are great wines, perfectly balanced with fine fruit, and perfect examples of what a great Barbaresco should be. They are Textbook. It was great to see Italo again. He is the man! I just love that guy, and would rather drink his Barbaresco over anyone else's. ANd this of course includes Angelo Gaja, who makes some great Barbaresco, but the prices are through the roof, and dollar for dollar I'd put Italo's up against Gaja's any-day-of-the week .. You can't do any better ... Although I must say, I really enjoyed Anjelo's offerings last year when I tasted the wines at a tasting in New York with Anjelo and daughter Gaia ..
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CASTELLO Di NEIVE


The Castello di Neive winery began when Giacomo Stupino, the family patriarch, capitalized on his experience as a surveyor and his knowledge of the area to purchase favorable vineyards and land whenever possible. In the small cellars of their family home, the Stupino’s began their first wine production (including Messoirano, Montebertotto, Basarin, Valtorta, and i Cortini) and, over time, their acquired vineyards grew with the family’s production and ambitions. In 1964 the family purchased the castle with its spacious cellars, along with more land and farmsteads in Santo Stefano and Marcorino. This marked a turning point when the Stupino’s were able to renovate the castle cellars and reorganize their vineyards to produce wine according to modern methods. When Giacomo died in 1970, Giulio and Italo oversaw the transition from tenant farming to direct management of the land, initiating production and export of Castello di Neive wines abroad.


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Castello Di Neive and Vineyards


The Santo Stefano vineyard is located in Neive, which is one of the three townships (along with Barbaresco and Treiso) that form the Barbaresco appellation. Neive has long been known for its broad, ample wines. In many ways, Santo Stefano produces the prototypical Neive Barbaresco. A south to southwest-facing site, Santo Stefano encompasses just over 8.2 hectares of vineyards divided between 6.7 hectares of Nebbiolo and 1.5 hectares of Barbera. Altitude ranges from 180-240 meters above sea level. The property also includes 4.5 acres of hazelnuts, a reminder of a time when Piedmontese farmers lived off more than one crop. The Stupino family took possession of the Castello di Neive, which included the Santo Stefano and Marcorinasso cascine (farmhouses), in 1963 and formally purchased the property from Count Guido Riccardi Candiani, a descendent of the Count of Castelborgo, in 1964. At the time, approximately 20% of Santo Stefano was planted. The rest of the land was wild. The Stupinos planted 3.6 hectares of vineyards in 1963. In 1970, the Stupinos added another 2.10 hectares of Nebbiolo and replanted some of the highest parts of Santo Stefano with Barbera. Around 2001, the Stupinos began redeveloping the oldest part of the original vineyard with the help of the University of Torino.


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Santo Stefano and the Albesani district in 3-D. Image courtesy of Alessandro Masnaghetti. Used with permission. Today, Santo Stefano is referred to as a vineyard within the broader Albesani Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva, as shown in the accompanying vineyard map. Some of the best views of Santo Stefano are from Gallina, which faces Santo Stefano, and the part of Ovello that looks towards Neive. The original parcels of Santo Stefano are those that are that are bisected by the horizontal access road and the blocks that follow moving west (left on the drawing above) towards the Tanaro River. 



   
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SANTA STEFANO Vineyards

Owned by The STUPINO FAMILY of NEIVE , ITALT

   
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The COMUUNES of BARBARESCO



   
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BAROLO and BARBARESCO




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SUNDAY SAUCE

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke



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