Italy’s Slow Food movement is working hard to re-educate us around the importance of healthy/smart food production and consumption. The organization is headquartered in Turino which is also the home of Eataly ““ the supermarket of the future. A combination of food market, wine shop, café and education. The total experience. There are branches in Japan, New York, and owner Oscar Farinetti was in town a few weeks ago talking to investors around a potential Toronto location. Only component we would not have is a wine store ““ or maybe Oscar can convince our control board to be less controlling.
Funny story connected to Eataly. After a luncheon/tasting with Oscar I attended a sales meeting with Kim McArthur who publishes my annual Billy’s Best. Glass of Rosé in hand (I trained her), Kim announces, “I’m off to Turino to night for a book fare”. Half a day later she emails me from a seafood café at Eataly, “wow, what a place. Now I’m drinking Sicilian Rosé.”
Put Turino and Eataly on your travel plans.
www.eataly/torino.it
P.S. Oscar is also the owner of the most spectacular winery in Italy ““ Fontanafredda in the Barola region. Good Barolo is as elusive, and as expensive, as good Pinot. It also shares the characteristics of being pale coloured and tart. Features not appealing to some drinkers bit it’s a~ great food wine, more sensual than hefty. I recommend the Fontanafredda 05 Barolo at regular LCBO’s (20214 $29.95). Lovely earthy, fall day flavours. Have from a big glass with grilled white meat or game.
