It has just successfully completed the third edition of GourmArte, the three-day food and wine event that takes place annually at the Fiera di Bergamo. A format organized by Ente Fiera Promoberg percent dedicated to excellence in Lombardy, created and led by Elio Ghisalberti, journalist and industry expert. As in previous editions, area reserved for productions it was possible to devote tastings and knowledge producers, while in space dedicated to catering, has been able to taste a selection of dishes of famous chefs and restaurateurs Lombard.

A special edition that coincided with the award of Premio Luigi Veronelli ten years after the disappearance of the wine journalist. Only category 'The Earth'. Prize Giorgio Grai, Trentino winemaker from long experience, Nataša Černic, young winemaker of a land as difficult as that of the Karst, and finally Marisa Cuomo, that, with her husband Andrea Ferraioli, stood out for having been able to tear strips of land to be dedicated to the cultivation of the vine in Amalfi Coast. Having said, I will tell you of some production from the many exposed that caught my attention. It happens when, in the stories of the people, emerging environmental awareness, the quality and originality of the productions.

Always a pleasure to meet friends of Cantina di Quistello.  Il loro Lambrusco Grappello Ruberti mi riporta alle mie origini mantovane, and an extensive territory along the banks of the river Secchia ancient traditions wine.

A delightful surprise meeting with Marco Church, My kind guide to the pleasant taste of wine 'Azienda Agricola San Michele Capriano del Colle, in the province of Brescia. I particularly appreciated the intensity and the body of the '1884 Red Book' : Marzemino 40%, Sangiovese 40%, Merlot 15% and Barbera 5%. A great value for money.

I know the Blue Buffalo? It 'a cheese' character 'of my favorites, which owes its name to the blue-green mold used to make Gorgonzola. Paolo Leone, my cheese expert, describes it as tasty and persistent. This is one of the Dairy Farm Four Gates Cologno al Serio, in the province of Bergamo.

Walking through the stands I could not avoid to stop in front of the Bonucci Truffles Romano di Lombardia (BG). Irresistible perfume. I met so Gloria Bonucci, third generation of truffle, that with the help of his dog continues the family tradition. Tells his passion on his blog Passion Undergrowth. To follow! 😉

Gloria Bonucci

Host region of this edition of GourmArte Sardinia. The witness'Azienda Agricola Fratelli Pinna Ittiri, in the province of Sassari. A reality of family 170 hectares for the cultivation of olive trees of centenarians 'Bosana', a cultivar diffused in the north of the island. An extra virgin olive oil that I enjoyed for intense aromas and flavors. The oil in the mouth ...

Inevitable a greeting to friends of 'Azienda Agricola Salera. This time I found very interesting their puffed rice with saffron and spinach prepared by chef Antonio Cuomo. A good alternative to be proposed for aperitifs.

Agriculture can help in many ways. The Cafe Milano Treviglio did recovering an ancient cultivation of melons Calvenzano with it and producing a liquor. You drink it in small glasses of chocolate and it matches the Turta de Trei, a cake in the 90s won the competition of the Association of City Shops Treviglio. Two creations of their production.

Do you like the Pomegranate? A me si, I put it even in the salad. Do you think that in Milan by a pomegranate tree grew on a terrace, a family starting to produce a liquor to friends, gave birth to a real production. It is called Melogranello®.  Sometimes you have to dare!

Productions to be told there would be many more. But some want to go to meet you directly in the field, I like it. That said, ora concluderò questo mio racconto mostrandovi qualche piatto che ho avuto il piacere di assaggiare. 🙂

Monday 15 September was held, at the 'Academy of Violas, a beautiful Provencal farmhouse in the atmosphere near Quintano Cream, a day of tasting, which involved, more than a dozen manufacturers, also it Chef Dante Ro, creator of the dinner that concluded the evening.

Accepted by the organizers, l 'Farm Ventura Sonnino (E) e l’Enoteca 'La Cantinetta' Monte Cremasco (CR), I had the opportunity to chat and enjoy the productions present giving the right timing that unfortunately the major events, often, do not allow for the large number of exhibition stands.

A pleasure to greet Ilaria Salera homonymous Azienda Agricola Salera a Garlasco (PV), and taste his rice, the main ingredient of good risotto prepared by Chef Ro Dante.

A great surprise the raw shoulder with the bone of the sausage factoryThe Scapineria, Sissa di Parma.

Food but also wine…

My land has called me to the stand of 'Winery Fruscalzo of Dolegna del Collio (GO) where I tasted a Gewürztraminer Delle Venezie IGP: the Rosa Canina Fruscalzo, a nice alternative to the usual wines offered.

I finally ended with a glass of Barbera dell 'Azienda Agricola Cascina Carrà di Monforte d'Alba, a fact that the family of the Langhe 1986 leads with natural methods 14 hectares of vineyards, and with the pleasant wine tasting Balgera Chiuro.

Asking prices for producers, naturally do not really positive reflections on the sometimes excessive mark-ups made by the food and wine.

As I often say events, as well as to taste and learn about production, allow comparison with the producers and listening to their problems and then treat love in my writings.

Precisely in this regard I have spent a long time at the booth of 'Farm Ventura Sonnino (E) producer of extra virgin olive Itrana. Together we debated on an issue that I care a lot and that I consider a real thorn in the side of Italian SMEs.

I spiego. I recently wrote about the difficulties of doing business, and not just for the bureaucracy, but also for the widespread bad habit in our country to defer to your liking payments due. I discussed it with Alberto Ventura, from 2004, after the change of course of his life as a commercial company producer of extra virgin olive oil, how many lives in Italy these difficulties.

In reality Alberto has adopted a policy resulting in the experience gained during his previous employment, Japanese influence and which has to do to trade relations.

• Alberto, I leave the word to you to explain how you have tried to resolve the matter on the typical Italian poor punctuality of pay within the agreed time, for services and supplies received.

Let's say that from the beginning of my adventure, now the name is so, I made this rule: "Customers need to pay immediately!"I'm not sure most of the other good, However, in my small way I wanted, at least try, create a balance with my suppliers. I pay all the delivery, sometimes even before the receipt of goods.

A custom little Italian say. Well, the thing for me is not at all strange, because working with Japan are accustomed to punctuality and rigor, sometimes even to the receipt of payments one month before! You will understand well the difference.

I'll tell you another important thing. We farmers, not being able to produce during the year, we are forced spread the costs resulting in a concentration of the same at the time of harvest. After this phase, we have to bear the costs for the rest of the year,  always in the hope that things go well, both referring to future crops, both the business risks that only those who work the land know.

That said, if you resign myself to wait for the ones who should pay me but that do not in due time, then it would end. As far as I'm concerned, providing quality products and imponendomi well commercially and with the right people, it works.

A final recommendation: we Italians have put into their heads that we must learn not to be clever, obviously do not want to generalize, but unfortunately for the greater is so. Try to earn more money by giving a poor product and making it pay as such is not good for anyone. Making excellence, be able to sell it for a fee immediately, ensures continuity! Cynthia, I hope I explained myself, definitely do better the oil and journalist.