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For a Laugh: Shit Nonna’s Say

7 Feb
2012

I spent this past Sunday at my Nonna and Nonno’s place eating risotto, drinking wine, having naps, discussing life over a cup of tea and eating a few too many apricot-flavoured fagottini.

My Nonna is generous, pure of heart and just plain gorgeous. You may find it a little strange that I felt ‘inspired’ to post this particular video. My Nonna does not have a fiery temper, nor does she speak in a thick southern Italian accent and dialect. Nonetheless, this video is hilarious. It will make you laugh and may bring back hilarious memories for some, or nightmares for others…

Enjoy.

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Random: Street Names – Feelin’ Groovy

31 Jan
2012

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)

Many moons ago, I was kindly put up in a house for five months within the town of Nuriootpa, or ‘Nuri‘, as the locals call it. It was vintage 2010 and I had driven over from Melbourne to the famous Barossa Valley. Nuri was the central base for the working people of this community and made for a pleasant, quiet and convenient town to be in. I resided on a property off from Johnson Court. Johnson…quite the common, stock standard name for a street, I dare say. This never bothered me until one day, I began to hear whispers of a wondrous land located not too far away, where the situation was somewhat different.

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The Nonno Diaries – Chapter 1

24 Jan
2012

Elio

This is the story about a man named Elio. While his demeanour these days may be a little quieter for someone in his eighties, despite his ageing years, Elio is as active as ever. His previous life was as a farmer, which left his hands worn and weary. Yet that will never be enough to change his characteristic tenacity. For him, life continues to be grand. Despite the hardships that may occasionally come his way, he has so much to be grateful for.

Elio is my grandfather, my Nonno. For someone who is known around his hometown as the man with a perpetual smile on his face, I can only hope to be as content as he is one day. These are simply the stories that he has recounted to me and that I hope to keep alive by writing them down.

THE NONNO DIARIES

From left: Elio and his brother photographed in Italy

CHAPTER ONE

THE JOURNEY OVER

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Drink often, drink well: Len Evans’ Theory of Consumption

17 Jan
2012
Len Evans, relaxing, wine, reading

The late Len Evans consuming wine

I picked up the vibrating iPhone, noting my sister’s face flashing up onto the screen.

‘Hey sis, what’s up?’

‘Liana is going to make homemade gnocchi from scratch tomorrow for all of us girls. Do you want to come?’

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Do you honestly think that I needed any form of persuasion?

‘Just make sure you bring along a wine, as always,’ she reminded me, and then hung up.

Oh of course. The wine.

That was an easy enough mission. I have an abundance of wine in my possession and relish any opportunity to be able to drink and share the bottles. The last thing I want is to end up like one of those hoarders you see on A Current Affair, where their house is piled up with useless nonsense dispersed amongst a standard quota of two dozen cats. Would you like newspapers from every day in the year 1993? How about a collection of salad spinners in varying shades from forest green to putrid pink? Oh and don’t forget the recycled bottles and cans that they were planning on taking over to South Australia one day. While I am nowhere near having those inclinations, I like to keep those examples for myself as a warning. A warning to make sure that I am continually imbibing and wearing down my stocks.

It’s not just any wine either. It’s wine that I love, that I look forward to trying, that I’ve never tasted before, that I want to share with someone in particular, and that I will appreciate. Life’s too short to be buying cases upon cases of wine. Especially when most of the time I like trying something new, whether it is a producer, grape variety or vintage. In my case, to choke myself with mountains of the same wine is actually an inhibition on my learning.

This thinking has led me to share the most logical wine consumption theory I have heard thus far. It is by none other than the late Len Evans. Written in 1979 for the Australian Wine Browser collection of short stories, ladies and gentlemen, I present:

THEORY OF CONSUMPTION

By Len Evans

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Life’s a Beach

3 Jan
2012

Bear with me.

It may be considered an aberration upon my character when I become a little deep and serious, but a recent outing to the shores of Jan Juc beach, prompted the following period of cogitation on the way of the world. Plus, I love when I can adopt the clichéd phrase, ‘metaphorically speaking‘.

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Arrivederci to 2011

27 Dec
2011

Dear friends,

Whether you celebrated the birth of a Bethlehem-born bearded man or not over these past few days, is of no significance.

I at least trust that you have had a well-deserved break.

As for me? This is what I intend on doing, all the way up until after the new year anyway.

Best wishes for a safe and joyous new year. I look forward to sharing more of ye ol’ madness in 2012.

Un bacio,

La Donna del Vino

Sake to me

20 Dec
2011
Record Album, vintage vinyl, screaming cover

Sock it to me! / Sake to me!

The face actually says it all. It depicts my initial reaction post receiving an email from the lovely women at Fireworks PR to attend a Sake Masterclass with some ladies and gents at the newly opened Wagamama restaurant in Southbank.

Learn about something that I know very little about whilst devouring the delectable cuisine of the Japanese?

“Ohhh yeahhhh!” (And the face was made).

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The Bibbers of Bibemus

6 Dec
2011

BIBEMUS

In Italy We Trust

Mount Etna is alive, will it erupt once more?

The air to be dust-laden and scorched

Hell could break loose within its core

Bringing havoc to everything it torched

The lava may flow over the mountain side

Destroying flora, fauna by its flood

Countless beasts may have bellowed and died

In forest-fires and the blazing mud

Beneath these dragon-like fires are sprung

New buds bursting for light

Vines all twisted in the baking sun

Crafting the vino we drink tonight

Interwoven by La Donna del Vino

Last week saw the inaugural tasting for an adoring Italian wine club called Bibemus. That’s Bibemus as in Latin for ‘we drink‘ and pronounced like an ol’ Scottish man saying ‘baby moose‘.

Initiated by Italophiles Matt Paul, Jane Faulkner, Anthony D’Anna and Krystina Menegazzo, the purpose of creating Bibemus was to act as an excuse to gather a group of Italian wine-adoring friends for an evening of entertainment via imbibing and dining.

That being our mission, the first evening held at Merchant in the Rialto…was a success. And the theme?

MOUNT ETNA

(Insert Tchaikovsky’s climactic ‘1812 Overture‘ music here)

Mount Etna eruption in 1989 - Photograph by Boris Behncke

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To train the growth, or go all bush?

28 Nov
2011

What did you think this would be?

I dissertation that discussed the potential benefits in ‘To groom, or not to groom your nether regions?’

As much as I would like to venture into great detail on the topic (I kid), this is a blog that is read most eagerly by none other than my mother, which tends to prevent ghastly filth from pouring from my mouth and onto the keyboard. I have heard that it is probably a good thing to be tamed.

Continuing on, the play on words at least allowed me to demonstrate my cunning punning expertise.

I will call it my ‘cun pun‘, for short.

white man afrored hair afro vintagediana ross afro, vintage

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Wine Reviews November

15 Nov
2011

CASTAGNA Allegro Rosé 2009

Beechworth, Victoria

RRP $34

Wine, bottle, rosé, Beechworth

“They’ve done studies, you know. 60% of the time…it works every time“

That may be a quote that I stole from the movie Anchorman – The Legend of Ron Burgundy [2004], but such a highly intelligent saying could also be applied to the wine style rosé. We are in the midst of a Rosé revolution that hosts events through the month of November. However according to my standards of rosé appreciation and ridiculously good mathematical calculations, it is actually a beverage that has the capacity to be consumed during two thirds of the year, if not more. Melbourne weather permitting, I am referring to the period from the end of October to the start of May. “60% of the time…it works every time”.

On November 10th, I celebrated the beginning of the revolution with this rosé from Castagna called Allegro, which easily confirmed its position as one of Australia’s top rosé wines. What can I say? It is difficult to dislike such a pretty peach, salmon, blush hued wine. Well actually no. That was a blatant lie because if the wine did not perform and do wondrous things in my mouth then I would not speak of it so highly.

Fear not, Julian Castagna has created a wicked rosé mistress of layered complexity like no other.

She beckons you forth by opening with a perfume of sweet pink musk followed by a gentle puff of smoke. Soft and playful on the palate, she kisses you with sugared almond lips dusted with vanilla icing. Texturally, Madame rosé has got curves in all the right places and in the right proportions with that final flavoured flush of rose water pinning you down for another glass. She brings an impressive 14.00% alcohol to the table, but with such a vivacious personality, it is no wonder that you are more than tempted to have a bit of a play with the alluring rosé.

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A Couple Of Kooks – The AAVWS 2011

8 Nov
2011

Last week I found myself in the country town of Mildura for the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, or the AAVWS as it is perhaps more commonly known by the acronymphiles.

I was keen to participate so signed up as a Steward and attempted to prepare myself physically and mentally for the unexpected.

After all, this was the event they titled, “More than just a wine show“.

So I threw on one of my favourite David Bowie albums, Hunky Dory, and pushed play on Track 5 for a little inspiration.

David Bowie, Hunky Dory, album, Pharoah, costume, kooky

“Will you stay in a lover’s story

If you stay you won’t be sorry

‘Cause we believe in you

Soon you’ll grow so take a chance

With a couple of Kooks

Hung up on romancing”

Track 5 The Kooks

David Bowie [1971], Hunky Dory

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Bendin’ it like Beckham – Starlight Foundation Chef’s Soccer Cup

1 Nov
2011

SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2011

Here is my recollection of the enjoyable but competitive Chef’s Soccer Cup using photos and live footage that may not have anything to do with the particular games. It is also a homage to any closet Ricky Martin fans. Yes you.

All proceeds and donations went to the Starlight Foundation who organised the event.

Look out for lucky number 13. That’s me.

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The Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2011 – Two Heads Are Better Than One

25 Oct
2011

I once stumbled across a collection of words followed by a gorgeous photograph in a magazine that I used to find quite witty, but which has now fallen to that infuriating level of try-hard.

Hence, I subscribe to it no longer.

I may or may not have written them a letter reading,

Dear off-the-pulse editor of the magazine,
Farewell. You no longer fulfil me.
Signed,
Krystina

The point is however, that I believed in the motivational strength of these words so much that I applied it as somewhat of a philosophy for myself to work on in the year 2011 and beyond.

“Get out there. Share your ideas. Find your kinships. Start something new. Two heads are better than one.”

Edie Sedgewick and film director Ray Wisniewski in conversation at Andy Warhol

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The Art of Imbibing

11 Oct
2011

art deco poster, cinzano, dry, extra dryArt deco poster, Aperol Aperitivoart deco poster, campari l'aperitivo

“What is art?”, I asked my Grade 6 Art teacher, the oh-so-appropriately named Mr Brushfield.

Mr Brushfield was momentarily flustered. For a twelve-year old, this bordered on the precipice of being a question almost as broad and curious as the existentialist’s classic, “What is the meaning of life?”

Art is specifically indefinable; a concept and product that is open for debate and interpretation by whomever has an opinion. However to look at it in its most simplest form, art is the product of creativity and imagination.

It evokes emotion.

It sparks passionate discussion.

It moves you.

It should leave you wanting more.

La Donna del Vino is certainly not an art blog. That is something I would leave to my wondrously talented artist of a mother who has enlightened and taught me the appreciation of art since I was little. However a blog allows one to probe occasionally into unexpected territory.

Art has traditionally been defined in the work of painting, sculpture, music, literature or even dance. For today only and for the purpose of relating my askew way of thinking to something more La-Donna-del-Vino-appropriate, I would like to trial the tolerance of inserting ‘Imbibing’ into that accepted spectrum of the art world.

You will have to excuse the use of the word ‘imbibing’ instead of something more commonly used such as ‘drinking alcohol’, but ‘The Art of Imbibing’ just sounded so much more appealing and enticing to read than ‘The Art of being a Damn Fine Boozehound’. Or am I just out of touch and should have rethought that?

Regardless, in the spirit of Julie Andrews:

Let's start from the very beginning, singing to kids, Julie Andrews

“Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.”

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The Philosophy of Life – La Filosofia di Vita

4 Oct
2011

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses
of wine…

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All Aboard The Bandwagon – Gastrovins

27 Sep
2011

Forgive me Father for I have sinned.

It has been 9295 days since my last confession. I accuse myself of the following sins. Absolve me if you see fit.

Last Wednesday night in a quiet, private room within the Circa The Prince complex, I found myself surrounded by nine much older and wiser gentlemen, where I then proceeded to try the finest white wines that I have ever had the privilege of putting past my lips.

The sin?

They were not Italian.

They were French.

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Random: Life in Song

20 Sep
2011

I am under the impression that there is a song for everything.

The good.

The bad.

The happy.

The sad.

If someone were to observe my general behaviour over the course of 24 hours, they would soon come to the realisation that I am one of those really pesky people who constantly have random tunes winding their way through my brain, which then find themselves projectile from my mouth in the form of unbearable singing.

How the Beach Boys envisioned their "God Only Knows" track from the Pet Sounds album

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The Homemade Wine Critic

16 Aug
2011

I remember the first time that I announced to my Dad and his wino buddies that I was thinking of studying winemaking. I was standing around a large plastic tub filled with bobbing black grapes, my Dad was off to one side carrying an emptied wooden crate, family friend Dino held his home-made macerating device in the tub, cousin Julian was having a debate with my Dad, while cousin John wielded the hose and was seen cleaning the machinery post-crushing. It was a typical homemade winemaking setting, with Dino’s mother Rita standing by to complete the picture.

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Video: Homemade Winemaking [1996] – The Australian-Italian Way

4 Aug
2011

This movie was filmed by my mother Christine back in 1996.

To indicate the times, there is a moustache in this film worn by John. A.

This is what my brothers, sister and I grew up with in Werribee South.

The film was edited and ‘polished’ by the daughter Krystina (me) some fifteen years later in 2011.

If you can squander some time aside then I hope you enjoy it, because we have only embarrassed ourselves by publishing it.

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Music: Who threw the whisky in the well?

19 Jul
2011

Sung by Wynonie Harris with Lucky Millinder and his Orchestra, 1944.

On a side note, I will point out now that I have added a video element to the top tab section of my site for those of you who have not yet noticed. Enter there if you dare.

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