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January 28, 2009 |
The Tuscany Effect
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Issue #8 |
Welcome to the Toscana Mia
Ezine "The Tuscany Effect"
Brought to you by Serenella
Leoni, Tuscan Lifestyle Expert
Email Serenella
(serenella@toscanamia.biz)
NOTE: Use
the email address directly above if you wish to contact me. If you hit
"Reply" your email will go directly to an automated e-zine server
and I will NOT receive your message.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who loves Tuscany, Italy or
all things Italian from food, wine, travel, villas and tours, to
traditions, language, fashion, art, music, books, movies and more. |
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In This Issue:
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Featured Villa Rental:
Damiano
Here is a featured villa
rental opportunity. If you've ever considered taking a
vacation in Italy, villa rentals are a great way to
go... yes, even in this economy.
Damiano is
a lovely farmhouse 15 minutes from Lucca and has been
recently remodeled. It can sleep 10 people.
Toscana Mia clients will receive a $200 discount on a
one week rental at
Damiano (based on availability).
There are villa rentals in all budget categories from
ultra luxury to family-style. Families or groups of
friends find it especially fun and practical to share a
large villa. Often this ends up costing much less than a
hotel stay and allows you the opportunity to truly live
like an Italian in your 'home away from home.').
There are over 100 options for you to choose from by
simply browsing through the
villa search
on the
Toscana Mia website. |
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Message from
Serenella |
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Are you ready for the Super Bowl
XLIII? Italians are.
 It
is truly a small world. In Italy, fans of 'American Football'
are getting ready to watch the Super Bowl Americano. Tuscans
and Italians in general, gladly embrace sports among their
passions. You have to be a really dedicated fan to watch the
live Super Bowl in Italy - the sports event plays there in the
middle of the night.
Until this year, Italians needed to subscribe to their Sky
(cable) channel in order to see the Super Bowl. Many people
protested and others just followed the game scores online.
This year, the Super Bowl will be shown live on RAI 2, one of
Italy's major networks and does not require a subscription. In
fact, RAI 2 has been showing NFL games since November. Italian
fans are delighted.
Specialized Italian blogs abound with American football
discussions on probable winners. Will it be the Pittsburgh
Steelers or the Arizona Cardinals? Right now, the Steelers
seem to be running ahead in the Italian prognostications.
As in the U.S., there is also a part of the public that tunes
in to see the commercials. In fact,
www.Cineblog.it (a major entertainment blog in Italy)
reports that, besides the usual Bud and Pepsi ads, viewers
will be treated to a series of exciting movie trailer/teasers,
including the new Transformers movie, the new Star Trek movie,
G.I. Joe, Angels and Demons, Land of the Lost and Fast and
Furious. Another Italian blog, "www.Bloghissimo.it"
reports that prices for Super Bowl commercials have increased
by 11% and cost $3 million for a 30 second spot.
Apparently the world economic situation has not had an impact
on Super Bowl sponsors. Then again, we could use some
escape from all the bad news!
Whether or not you watch the Super Bowl, please consider
cooking some good Tuscan food and pair it with a great Tuscan
wine.
Salute!
Serenella
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Tuscan Wisdom – Experiencing Wine |
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Tuscan Wisdom – Experiencing Wine
 We've
talked before about the Tuscan philosophy of savoring each
moment and paying attention to details. Tuscans live for life
experiences, whether these be with delicious food, great art,
fine music or sensual wines - all of which are abundant in
Tuscany.
Tuscany's full and mellow wines abound in the lush vineyards
weighted with richly heavy grape clusters. Italy was called
Enotria (land of wine) by the ancient Greeks. Upon
arriving in Italy, the Greeks found that Etruscans had been
producing wine from wild grapes for (literally) ages.
Nowhere is Enotria more evident than in Tuscany, the
heart of Etruscan civilization and the heart of winemaking. It
seems that every spare inch of the region, whether in the
verdant plains on the sloping hills or by the tranquil sea has
found a way to grow luscious grapes. Wines such as Chianti,
Sangiovese, Brunello and the sought-after Super Tuscans (new
blends made in an international style and often containing
grape varieties, like cabernet, not found in classic Chianti
wines) immediately come to mind; but that is just the
beginning: An in-depth exploration of Tuscany will take you on
an enological tour of discovery and reveal the passion and
spiritual awe that Tuscans feel for all that they love.
The
point is not to over-indulge; the point is to experience the
wine along with the perfect food pairing. A Vin Santo (sweet
dessert wine) with biscotti at the end of a multi-course meal
is a well-known classic. The most fortunate, explorative
wanderers may also run across a Vino da Meditazione
(Meditation Wine) and be offered a glass. Ideally, this
contemplative experience requires adequate time and
tranquility of the soul. These exceptional wines are generally
sweet wines, to be savored in a calm, reflective setting that
respects their complex composition and outstanding quality.
The flavors slowly unfold and transfer from the glass to the
palate over an extended period of time. Acquaint all your
senses to the wine. To live life alla Toscana, you
cannot rush.
The meditative wines are simply an example of Tuscan life at
its best. The pride, passion, love and attention to the
blending and balance of a series of details are transferred
from the wine maker to the wine taster. How cruel it would be
to rush through a precious tasting of Meditation Wine, through
a lovingly prepared meal, through a beautifully arranged art
gallery or through any worthwhile activity without
enjoying each separate, important component of the experience!
Serenella
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Serenella’s Column in the Examiner.com -
National Edition |
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Serenella’s Column in the
Examiner.com - National Edition
Thanks to all of
you who checked out my column in the Examiner. Last week
I was ranked among the top 4 Home and Lifestyle Examiners.
18 million people are now reading the Examiner.com blog.
Please check out some of my recent entries:
Enjoy your reading!
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Recipes from Authentic
Italian Women: |
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Recipes from Authentic Italian Women:
In keeping with the Super Bowl theme, I thought it would
be fun to offer a delicious Tuscan recipe that is a
healthier version of the comfort food usually served at
Super Bowl Sunday parties. Here is a classic Tuscan bean
dish that you can make with or without the addition of
Italian sausages.
Buon
appetito!
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American Football in
Italy |
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American Football in Italy
You may be
surprised to learn that in Italy, American football has
a league of its own. If you have read John Grisham's
"Playing for Pizza," you know that there are some hotly
contested games among Football Americano teams in
Italy like those of the Rome Gladiators, Bergamo Lions,
Milan Rhinos, Bologna Warriors and Naples Bandits. There
are around 60 teams playing American Football in various
divisions throughout Italy. There is even an Italian
Super Bowl.
Grisham explains that the QB, coach, and running back
are usually American, and not all the players are paid
(in fact, most are not). The league is called
Associazione Italiana di American Football.
"Playing for Pizza," although not one of
Grisham's better books, is an interesting read. Grisham,
who spends a part of the year in Italy, obviously had a
great time writing this book. And, as in his recent
"The Broker," there are in-depth and lengthy
descriptions of food and endless meals in Italian
restaurants. The stories of the games and interactions
among the players are vivid and humorous.
It seems that in Italy there is room for both
football or futbol (what we call 'soccer') and American
football. Time will tell whether American football
in Italy will gain a significant fan following and
whether Italian men can then tout it as another one of
their areas of expertise.
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Website and Blog |
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Please visit our website for the
latest news on how to
rent a storybook
villa, embark on a
custom-designed Tuscany tour, plan a
one-of-a-kind Italian wedding, or purchase your own piece of
property in Tuscany. We can guide you through the process
-with expert assistance from our established network of
top Tuscan travel professionals, event and wedding planners
and property management companies. We can even assist you with
your dream wedding in Tuscany, a true once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
Our unique E-books teach you how to rent villas in Italy like
an expert, plan your dream wedding in Tuscany, or purchase
real estate in Italy as you learn to behave, misbehave and fit
in with living the Tuscan lifestyle.
Please visit our
Toscana Mia Blog for the latest news on
Italian food, wine, trends and all the things Tuscans love
with a passion!
Until next time, ciao a tutti!
Serenella
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