Your Mum's special. So gift her a special wine, Feudi di San Gregorio's Cutizzi

As we approach Mother's Day, it's time to start thinking about what to gift Mum on her special day. 

Although it's sometimes difficult to choose a present which reflects your mum's brilliance, Feudi di San Gregorio's Cutizzi, a refreshing and smooth white wine from Southern Italy, is guaranteed to put a smile on any mum's face.

Both the bottle and label for Cutizzi were designed by the late Massimo Vignelli, the celebrated Modernist Italian designer. Its sleek and striking design serves as a graphic translation of the winery's identity: innovative, elegant and timeless.

An obvious gift for any art enthusiast, each bottle of Cutizzi is a testament to Feudi di San Gregorio's core belief that every bottle of wine is a work of art in itself. Just like a mother figure, this exquisite bottle pays a fitting tribute to a mother's impeccable taste.

Allow a glass of Cutizzi to transport her to Italy through its deliciously spicy and floral aromas of vanilla, almonds, and orange blossom. The wines of Feudi di San Gregorio allow one to explore what the beautifully mountainous Italian region of Irpinia has to offer.

The Cutizzi is a thoughtful and sustainable choice for those who champion a greener lifestyle as the multi-award-winning wine producer, Feudi di San Gregorio is firmly committed to their sustainable practices, for which they were awarded their B-Corp certification in 2022.

This wine is perfect for Mums in search of la dolce vita, transporting her to Italy through just one sip. Feudi di San Gregorio's Cutizzi is ideal to pair with a light starter for Mothering Sunday lunch, such as smoked salmon or mozzarella.

You can buy it for her at Vinissimus for £23 https://www.vinissimus.co.uk/en/wine/feudi-di-san-gregorio-greco-di-tufo-cutizzi

L'italiano è la lingua dell'amore, or (Italian is the language of love, with Tenuta Marmorelle

Just look at this fantastic and incredibly romantic Italian Dinner for Two gift set!

It's a real winner on many different levels. Not only will it make a wonderful romantic Valentine's Day gift, but it’s also a much more affordable way of enjoying an authentic, romantic Italian meal this Valentine's Day. And throughout the rest of the year, too, for that matter!

And to quote a good friend of ours "I don’t know about you, but if someone cooks for me, it’s simply the BEST!"

Priced at a remarkable reasonably £29.95, (I had to check the price to be honest!) the ‘Food is the Language of Love’ gift set, curated by the wonderful Italian artisans at Tenuta Marmorelle, contains:

500ml Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce

500g Heart shape 5 coloured pasta

750ml Rose wine from Puglia Southern Italy

250g Gourmet Taralli Cheese and Pepper 

214ml Bella di Cerignola Green Olives

150g Italian Cream Sicilian Cannoli  

 

To make your purchases please visit https://www.tenutamarmorelle.com

Riso Gallo

If you like good Risotto rice, then you will absolutely adore Riso Gallo risotto rice which has been providing high quality, very tasty risotto rice since 1856.

They are guaranteed to be 100% Italian and of the best quality available.

What types of risotto rice are available? Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms, Risotto with Saffron, Risotto with Tomato and Basil and Risotto and Vegetables in their 1856 range.

They all come in easy to store 250 gramme bags and have easy to follow cooking instructions and are absolutely delicious and make excellent accompaniments with vegetables and meats.  

These products will be excellent additions to your store cupboard and are wonderful to serve up with Italian meals.

To learn more, to find helpful advice, learn some fantastic recipes and to buy online visit them at https://www.risogallo.co.uk.

Incidentally, my favourite is the Porcini Mushrooms variety, but they are all really good rice dishes.

Cocchi? Coo! Celebrates All Things Negroni This September with Cocchi

The classic Italian aperitif's popularity has burgeoned over recent years as wise consumers in the UK and also beyond are continuing to discover more about Italy's vibrant and diverse drinking culture.

Tying in with celebrations that will take place next month in September, cocktail devotees will be able to enjoy a range of Cocchi-based Negronis for a few weeks with each venue presenting their own twist on the classic. Showcasing the versatility of this drink.

Available all through the month of September, The Zetter Townhouse in London's Marylebone will offer guests a negroni menu of three Cocchi-based drinks. On Sunday 17 September an exclusive takeover will also take place at the venue.  

Alex Palumbo, co-owner of award-winning Edinburgh bar, Hey Palu, will take part in a one night only guest shift, serving a curated menu of four Cocchi Negronis to mark the launch of Negroni week.

The takeover menu cocktail menu will include:

Strawberry Sbagliato: Cocchi Rosa, strawberries, Barsol pisco, aperitivo, prosecco

Mezcaloni - Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino, Los Siete Misterios mezcal, bitter, aromatic lime leaf

Negroni Minerale - Cocchi Americano, Botyard Double Gin, Fino Sherry, celery extracts, green olive

Caffe 'Serale - Cocchi Dopo Teatro, Lot 40 rye whisky, banana, bitter, coffee aromas

Cocchi is also partnering with famous Sri Lankan restaurant Hoppers King's Cross to offer their take on a Negroni-led menu. Following rom its successful summer terrace cocktail activation, Hoppers' bar manager Martin Balo has put together a menu of three Negronis with a tropical spin, ideal to enjoy before the end of the summer.

 Hopper's King's Cross menu will include:

Kokova Negroni: cocoa and orange spiced rum – Campari – Cocchi Rosa

White Negroni: gin – lemongrass and fennel bitters – Cocchi Americano

Negroni Sbagliato: Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino – pomelo Campari – Prosecco

Finally, if you would like to make a Negroni at home, here's Cocchi's recommended recipe:

25 ml Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino

25 ml gin (we recommend Boatyard Double Gin)

25 ml Campari

Method: Add all of the ingredients into a stirring glass with an ample amount of ice and stir for about 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.

To attend Sunday 17 September takeover (19:00 – 22:00), book a table on The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone, website: https://thezetter.com/townhouse-marylebone/ - Zetter Townhouse Marylebone 28-30 Seymour St, London W1H 7JB

For reservation at Hoppers King's Cross, 4 Pancras Sq, London N1C 4AG please use: https://www.hopperslondon.com/kings-cross/

Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino is available nationwide including Waitrose and Amazon. RRP: £26.71 (70 cl)

A Taste of Italy feature

Starting today, throughout Summer 2023, That's Food and Drink is running a special A Taste of Italy feature.

That's Food and Drink will be covering foods from Italy, wines, liquors, beers, lagers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, etc.

There will be features on olive oils, pasta, breads, main meals, deserts and much more besides. 

Also, That's Food and Drink will be carrying recipes from some top Italian chefs. In fact, we have already carried some from Seggiano as you will be able to see.

If you would like to participate in the feature (and we never charge) please email us at afj_uk@yahoo.com and let us know what you would like us to promote. 

(Image courtesy of AndreZan from Pixabay)

Filippo Berio's First Pasta Sauce Range Brings Effortless Italian Inspiration to your kitchen

There's some great news for keen cooks who want a bit of help in replicating authentic Italian dishes at home. 

Because Filippo Berio, the UK's favourite and best loved olive oil brand for well in excess of 40 years, has launched four delicious and authentic pasta sauces to to the UK market.

Filippo Berio has used the finest all-natural ingredients including (of course!) its very own Extra Virgin Olive Oil and naturally sweet Italian tomatoes to create four delicious recipes; Basilico, Arrabbiata, Verdure Grigliate and Olive.

The sauces are also gluten free and are suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets. They are also lactose free and are totally free of preservatives, flavourings or artificial ingredients.

The new sauces are:

Basilico - Fragrant Italian Basil has been added to naturally sweet Italian tomatoes and carefully cooked to create this delicious tomato and basil pasta sauce.

Arrabbiata - with a touch of chilli spiciness, this pasta sauce is an Italian classic - delicious tomatoes with just the right amount of heat.

Olive - This unique sauce uses specially selected ripe olives for an added depth of flavour.

Verdure Grigliate - Packed with flavour and using grilled vegetables like aubergines, peppers and courgette – this sauce brings the taste of the Mediterranean to your kitchen.

Filippo Berio UKs MD, Walter Zanré, said: “When we make our pasta sauces we cook the vegetables before the tomatoes are added. Not at the same time. This two stage cooking method locks in all the flavour so our sauces taste fresh - just like with homemade.”

Available now and priced at £2.50 for a 340g glass jar, you can purchase the sauces from Tesco or via the Filippo Berio online shop.

Want a romantic foodie night in? Ristorante Pizza is what you need!

With Valentine’s Day reminding us that the only way to spend an evening is with those you love, now is the time to avoid the cold, get cosy and enjoy a Ristorante pizza together.

Indulge in ‘Italy’s Best Loved Pizza’ and fall in love with the delicious thin and crispy base. Plus, as we all know, opposites attract there are six different flavours, including Mozzarella, Speciale, Pollo, Funghi, Hawaii, and Pepperoni Salame, meaning there is a taste for everyone.

What could be more romantic than spending an evening indoors, hiding from the cold and experiencing a taste of Italy? Spoil your partner this Valentine’s Day with a satisfying Ristorante pizza. With a cooking time of only ten minutes from frozen, the rest of the evening can be spent gazing into each others eyes – that’s amore!

Ristorante is available from ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, The Co-op and Waitrose expect to pay about £2.79.