Beer, Wine and Truffles in Northern Italy
Updated: 21 hours ago
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"Twas Italian fall when we landed in Milan
Breweries and wineries were center of our plan
An exercise in group therapy if you please
Our merry band soon got along with lubricated ease
Croce di Malto was first stop on our tour
With a warm welcome from friends made long before
Heading north we stopped in at Italiano
Showed around by veteran brewer Agostino
Inventor of the Italian Pilsner style
His quality beers produced a lasting smile
Lake Como was where we would find some rest
A boat trip on the lake to view the scenery best
Bellagio was quiet in November transition
A chance to walk the cobblestones and listen
Returning to Como we chanced on Herba Monstrum
A pleasant surprise this brewpub, no question
Heading to wine country, two breweries more
Menaresta, Canediguerra both were a great score
The bus fridge replenished, our crew in fine fettle
When we arrived in Alba a few days to settle
As well as vineyards to behold there was another reason
Namely that it was the height of the White Truffle season
Greg and Vicki know their stuff, they led us to the fest
With wine to taste and truffles to sniff we just did the rest
All around the rolling hills, the grapevines they were spent
Harvest done, the juice well pressed, into the barrels sent
Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Barolo dancing with the wine
Some white and sparkling to be sure, the reds were so divine
A love affair with wine we had, but we still remembered grain
Off to Baladin we sailed, their growth is quite insane
From village pub and microbrew, now a Disneyland of beer
But Teo and his cohorts always to quality adhere
At De Lab Fermentazioni we ran into Lorenzo
Young and wild with room to grow these guys are a little gonzo
In the heart of wine country a new style what the hell
IGA it is you know Italian Grape Ale
On the road back to Milan the best is saved for last
One million bottles of sparkling Contratto aging in cellars so vast
People and pidgeons in Milan center flock
To see the Duomo cathedral anchoring like a rock
Then off to Lambrate, OG brewpub, historic place to meet
For a final toast, with the locals, drinking in the street
Did Charles Dickens write that? I think we had to memorize it in my English Literature class in High School.