FOOD

Food lovers make it their mission to try as many top-notch places and will travel to great length for an exceptional dining experience. Food is powerful and brings people together from all walks of life. Isn't it exciting when someone posts and shares a new restaurant, a recipe or recommends a nice bottle of wine at a reasonable price? It is my love for all things food, wine, travel, and lifestyle that motivates me to share experiences with you. I will provide you with food and wine tips, recipes from my favorite chefs, travel and lifestyle tips, and new wines. So let's do this together, eat good food, drink great wine, and share our experiences with one another.

Burrata vs Buffalo Mozzarella

Do you know the difference between burrata and buffalo mozzarella cheeses? They are two types of semi-soft Italian cheese; the difference is fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese is a semi-soft Italian cheese made from cow or water buffalo milk. Burrata cheese takes the mozzarella one step further — it's mozzarella that's formed into a pouch and then filled with soft, stringy curd and cream. The Buffalo mozzarella tends to be cheaper than burrata and is used mostly on pizza as it is easier to melt. They are equally good, but I prefer burrata cheese over buffalo mozzarella. You can find both kinds of cheese at your local Whole Foods Market.

WINE

What Is Wine?

Most people know that wine is made from grapes, which is different from the grapes you will buy in a supermarket. Wine is the fermented juice of wine grapes. It is then formed by collecting and crushing wine grapes. The combination of natural sugars with the yeast causes fermentation which creates the alcohol. There are thousands of different types of wine which can make it challenging choosing amongst thousands of different types available. Wine is a vibrant and complex field. But don’t let the complication stand in your way. With a little understanding of what wine is, you can begin to buy and enjoy wine. Learning which wines you like is the first step towards becoming knowledgeable about wine. Pablo Cuneo, Winemaker at Argentina's Bodega Ruca Malen, says, "wine should be shared with friends and paired with food." I too agree with his statement that wine and food should be enjoyed together in the company of good friends and loved ones. For more information on the basics of wines take a look at this article in winemag.com which covers more in-depth on the basics and different varietals of wine.

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Featured Designation

Champoluc, Italy

Champoluc, Italy is one of my favorite places to visit in Northern Italy. Champoluc is a village in the commune of Ayas, in the province of Aosta Valley, Northern Italy. The area is known as a center for hiking, mountaineering and skiing, particularly around the Monte Rosa Massif. For the adventurous person that I am, this village is all the reason for me to share with you as it has things to do in the summer as well in the winter. Let's not forget their culinary scene. This little village has some of the finest restaurants to explore. It made the Top 10 Best Restaurants on Tripadvisor. If you get a chance to visit Champoluc, you will be very pleased and will return again and again. To learn more click here.

featured recipe

By Cooking wiTh Mary

This is a unique family recipe. It's not common anywhere else but in Matera, Italy. I had the pleasure to attend an Italian cooking class in Matera with Chef Mary. I learned how to make fresh pasta and other dishes. This orange salad was my favorite, so I am sharing the recipe with you.

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 organic fresh oranges

1 garlic clove

1 tsp. powdered peperoncino (red chili peppers)

1 tbsp. extra virgin oil

1 pinch of salt

Peel the oranges and cut them in round slices (about 1/2 cm thick) and put them on a serving tray. Sprinkle them with some minced garlic and with the peperoncino powder and add the salt. drizzle the olive oil on top and refrigerate for at least 30 mins to let it season appropriately. This salad can be eaten as a side dish along with greasy or strong flavored meats or on its own. Enjoy!

Private WIne Tastings and Wine Trips

Looking to do a private wine tasting or wine trip with your friends or for your business team building? AGC can help arrange private tastings, private wine trips to Napa, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, and France. Submit your inquiry below.

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