Arezzo, Week 2, Day 2

Buongiorno tutti! It is a beautiful Tuesday here in Arezzo and I am very sleepy. But since we did something cool today, I wanted to share it with you. Onwards!

We woke up fairly early today, mainly so that we could print off our papers before class. And since the only printer is at the Center, it was a bit of a mad dash for everyone to try and get it done before class. But it’s finished and we can move onto worrying about the next one. Yay.

But after class is when we did the cool thing. Today was wine tasting.

                                                        So sophisticated.

Now if you know me, you know that I do not drink. Not for religious reasons (I’m Irish Catholic. Definitely not religious reasons.) or anything, but mainly because I can’t seem to find any alcoholic beverages that I like.

(Sidenote: No, I have never drank illegally. In Texas, it is legal for parents to give their children alcoholic beverages with discretion. My mom has let me try things like margaritas and wine, but I haven’t liked any of it. Now, to continue)

So we arrived at the vineyard and got to walk around. And it was gorgeous.

                                                          Ridiculously so. 

                                        What is this, a honeymoon destination?!

They explained what state the vines were in at this point in time. Because it is summer, they are letting the vines grow up around the wires for shape and the grapes are only little, green, pea-sized balls. It is also the most dangerous time in terms of disease, and since it is an organic vineyard, they only use sulfur and copper for treatment of the plants instead of chemical compounds.

                                                              Vineyard.  

                                                    Baby grapes! So cute!

After that, we went into the wine cellar, where the man explained the process of fermenting the wine and how certain wines are stored in a cement container and others in barrels. The barrel wine is considered riskier because if the wood of the barrel isn’t that great, it can poorly affect the taste of the wine, which takes on elements of the wood in its taste.

                                                Barrels and barrels of alcohol.

Then we wandered inside to eat a light lunch and try three different types of wine, two Chiantis (typical Tuscan wine) and a Merlot. And to be honest, I didn’t really like them that much. The first one was alright, but the second had an obviously higher alcohol content and burned my throat. The third one was definitely the best, but I had bit my tongue right before we received the third type so it stung my mouth a lot.

                                                          Nom nom nom.

But overall, I would say it was a fun and interesting experience and I wouldn’t mind doing it again.

We then came back to the hotel, I did some laundry (in the bathtub!) and then we went out to dinner. I had this awful, bland penne pasta (not fun).

                                         My distressed reaction to pathetic pasta.

But we ended the night with gelato, so all is well. ^_^

Interesting Stories of the Day:

• Overheard conversation: “I don’t like Macaroni Grill because I don’t like Macaroni.” …Seriously? Seriously!?
• Also, some of the not-so-hot penne pasta was shaped like lipstick.

                                            Which was a little redeeming. 

A domani!