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by Fred McMillin
for May 18, 2000
Okey Dokey "nyoh-ky"
Prologue
Chef Vittorio Saccone demonstrated the preparation of Gnocchi Verdi for my wife at Rome's Grand Hotel.
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Chef Vittorio Saccone demonstrating for Mrs. McMillin the preparation of Gnocchi Verdi at Rome's Grand Hotel. |
The Rest of the Story
The Italian word for one dumpling is "gnocco." The plural is "gnocchi." "Verdi" is green, the color the gnocchi acquire when they are made with spinach. Two millennia ago the Romans had an early version of the dish. It is still a favorite in Rome. There is a fine recipe and photo of gnocchi verdi in the Time Life book on The Cooking of Italy.
After the Lesson
In the large dining room after the lesson, Chef Saccone poured a light Italian white wine with the gnocchi. After that careful preparation, he wasn't going to overwhelm those delicate flavors with a red. I'm sure the chef would approve this...
Wine of the Day
1998 Pinot Grigio (PEE-noh GREE-jyoh), Italy
By Danzante (dahn-ZAHN-TAY)
Danzante??—The Italian word means "dancing." Well,
if it takes two to tango, there couldn't be a
better pair than Mondavi and Frescobaldi,
leading vintners in their respective countries.
Danzante is the name of the wines they are
producing jointly in northeastern Italy. The
Grigio is their first white release.
Production—40,000 cases, which tells you they
KNOW the public will like it.
Tasting Notes—Crisp and refreshing. Drink now.
It's a companion for light dishes, not a dominator.
Rating—RECOMMENDED; good value at TEN DOLLARS!
Contact—Mary Ann Vangrin, (707) 251-4483, FAX(707) 251-4386
Postscript
Gastronomy had a good 1894...
What's this have to do with today's article? Well, the Grand Hotel in Rome opened that year. The dining room seated 250 people. They had an eye-catching innovation; each room had three electric light bulbs! And on January 11, 1894 they opened the hotel with a fantastic, sixteen-course banquet, prepared by a chef brought in for the occasion, Escoffier!
Credits—James Trager's Food Chronology
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About the
Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. |
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Current WineDay
WineDay Annex
WineDay Archive
May 2000
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05/17/00—High on a Lonely Hill
05/16/00—A Large Lab
05/15/00—The Pioneering Pedroncellis
05/12/00—Trouble at Telmo
05/11/00—A Mother's Day Travail
05/10/00—Classy
05/09/00—An Upset??
05/08/00—Nothing Ordinary
05/05/00—Mendocino. Where's the Vino?
05/04/00—Pink Gets No Ink
05/03/00—Nurse's Day
05/02/00—Black and White
05/01/00—Your May 1st Symphony
This page created May 2000