La piazza dei terroni

QUOCo. Mobile Cantina at gusto 2011

2011-09-16T11:42:00.000+10:00

QUOCo. also took part in GUSTO. What a fantastic day. Record attendance saw the hoi polloi of Sydney’s restaurant world showcase what they are capable of and why they are so well respected. Back to back, restaurateurs battled over hot burners to produce dishes from all over Italy; it was quite a site.

Along with the culinary delights there were a series of wine master classes held including wines from Sicily, Tuscany and of course Puglia. The Pugliese class was full of surprises. Like three wise monkeys, Sabino Matera, Max Allen and Joel Pizzini guided the full house through what was both educational and humorous, as you would expect from those gents. Questions were raised and answered concerning subjects ranging from the origin of certain grape varieties, the difference between strains of Fiano to the best hangover cure. Which was undoubtedly tested the day following.

The never seen before ‘Il Falcone’ vertical tasting got the juices flowing and people talking, the unveiling of ‘U’Cucci’ Susumaniello was a definite highlight, as was ‘Clerico’ Verdeca, Alberto Longo’s ‘Le Cruste’ had Max referencing the Simpsons and D’Arapri ‘La Dama Forestiera’ was the only sparkling shown for the day setting the bar very high to open proceedings. We must not forget the closing thought; Gianfranco Fino Primitivo ‘Es’ to finish the session, just in case the taste was not sweet enough already.

In the mean time the boys from QUOCo., Marco and Carlo, were in the main arena feverishly engaging anyone who passed by the Mobile Cantine with samples of what Pugliese wine is all about.

Our June friend in focus

2011-06-01T18:06:00.001+10:00

Today we caught up with Giovanni and his green baby! A fantastic green Alfa Romeo Giulietta. What better way of getting together for a chat with a friend than talking about italians, their cars, stories and food.

Well today Giovanni surprised us with one of his treasures at Supermaxi; he is unveiling some of his secrets with us for the QUOCo's interview.
You'll find the full interview on our June 2011 newsletter and People of QUOCo.

The Carlton Wine Room is Open

2011-06-01T17:45:00.000+10:00

Finally Jay Bessel and Michele Tenace are ready to open! After a long clean up of their new site in Carlton, they are frenetically running to Open the Carlton Wine Room.

Peter poped-in few days ago to say hi and to wish them the best from all of us at QUOCo.

We know already that Jay, Marcell and the rest of the Il Solito Posto crew are about to set a new wine mecca for Melbourne. We can't wait to spend lots of nights on every stools!

Salute!

Where:
North Corner Faraday St and Drummond St in Carlton, Melbourne. Vic
Ask:
info@thecarltonwineroom.com.au

Harvest in North of Puglia

2011-05-17T12:32:00.000+10:00

We were visiting the campagna of Corato, in the DOC Castel Del Monte wine region of Puglia. We decided to stop and say hi to Roberto Perrone Capano at his family estate Cantina Santa Lucia. It was inevitable to sneak in the vineyard and taste some ripe grape of Uva Di Troia (aka Nero di Troia)... The boys were hand picking for the harvest of the great riserva Le More. Great Wine! One day we will bring it into Australia.

Puglia, Acqua Sala and Cantele Alticelli Fiano

2008-11-01T20:46:00.003+11:00