How to Drink Like An Italian

One of the finer points of Italian style isn’t found in fashion boutiques or art museums, but over cocktail hour. After all, in a country where wine flows like water, drinking is a true art. And, like any art form, it has its own set of rules and etiquette.

Heading to Italy? Here’s how to sip in style… Italian style!

Drinking wine in Italy
Italians take their wine seriously. That said, they’re here to enjoy it—and far from snobby, are usually rather laid-back about choosing a vintage. Wine is meant to go with food, after all, so it is often simple… and relatively cheap!

For this reason a nice house wine isn’t necessarily a terrible wine (and it’s usually better than what you’d find as a house wine in most other countries). Plus, it tends to be a local variety. Start with the basic rules, like to pair red wine with meat and white wine with fish, and ordering local wines, and you’ll be off to a good start. Try a classic Chianti in Tuscany, a Valpolicella in Veneto, a Nero d’Avola in Sicily and a Pinot Grigio or other white wine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. For more, don’t miss our non-stuffy traveler’s guide to Italian wines.

Drinking beer in Italy

While less historically popular than wine, beer is another appropriate alcohol for lunch or dinner. And it’s a must for a cookout or for a pizza night with friends! The famous Italian brands Morena, Moretti and Peroni have been around for a while. Much more excitingly, however, is that microbrews are becoming trendy, with small, local craft brewers popping up around the country. (There are now more than 500 breweries nationwide). Italian craft brewers typically use high-quality, local ingredients, applying much of the experience gained from wine-making to their beer brewing. Head to a birrificio and you can be sure that you’re getting a decent local brew! We like especially like Birra + at Via Alessandra Macinghi Strozzi 14 in Rome or Birrificio Lambrate at Via Adelchi 5 in Milan.

Drinking cocktails in Italy (and what “aperitivo” really is)

The aperitivo is Italy’s answer to the happy hour: Starting around 7pm and ending around 9pm, pay a flat rate for a drink and you are welcome to eat all you want from the various appetizers offered at the bar. (Here’s more about aperitivo in Italy).

While wine is common, this is also an especially popular time to have a cocktail. Most Italian cocktail bars will have your classic, internationally-known mixes alongside signature, regional ones. Here are some of our favorites (and don’t miss our  post on the best Italian cocktails for summer):

Campari – Invented in Italy in the 1800’s and still produced today in Milan, Campari is a bitter made with liquor and infused herbs and fruit. It’s used as the base of many Italian cocktails, such as the Negroni and Americano.

Aperol – A liquor nearly identical to Campari, Aperol is much less bitter and has a lower alcohol content.

Negroni – Perhaps the easiest to make for its 1:1:1 ratio, this drink is made of one part gin, one part red vermouth and one part bitters, traditionally Campari.

Sbagliato – A negroni sbagliato, or negroni incorrect, has a fantastic story to go with this fantastic drink. They say that a bartender in Milan at the famous Bar Basso accidentally grabbed prosecco instead of gin, mixing equal parts prosecco, red vermouth and bitters. Before he could throw out the drink, the guest approved of it’s taste and the negroni sbagliato (sbah-lyee-ah-to) was added to the cocktail list! Perfect for an aperitivo or even a brunch, the negroni sbagliato is still as popular as ever.

Americano – The bright red Americano is made with part Campari and part red vermouth, with just a splash of soda water. Its name is supposedly a nod to the American customers who seemed to like the drink so much, but is enjoyed by many an Italian during happy hour, too!

Spritz  – An especially popular aperitif in northern Italy, Spritz is made with a sparkling wine like Prosecco, a dash of a bitter liquor such as Campari or more commonly Aperol and finished with sparkling mineral water. This is a must-drink when in Venice, where it is abundant and cheap, and perfect for cooling down by the water on a hot day!

Martini – A vermouth cocktail (made, of course, with alcohol from the Martini & Rossi brand headquartered in Turin, Italy, surely not with an imported brand!) and mixed with a sparkling wine. Martini is a cool classic, great for the hip bars of Milan.

And one last Italian drink: the digestivo

Having a “digestive” refers to the Italian tradition of drinking an after-dinner drink to help digestion. Unlike the aperitivo, which is often dry or bitter to stimulate an appetite, a digestivo can be bitter or sweet.

Amaro – Italian for “bitter,” an amaro is made with dozens of different herbs and roots that vary based on type and brand.

Grappa – A shot of grappa will definitely get things moving after a heavy dinner or to start a long night. A (very) high-proof wine liquor made from grapes, this drink is all Italian: It has to be made in an Italian territory to be considered true grappa. Try adding it to your espresso in the morning for a caffe corretto to start your day off right!

Italians don’t consider alcohol as something that should be vilified, but as a natural and acceptable part of life, one that they want to celebrate and do right.

So take a cue from the Italians and learn how to sip in effortless style (without, of course, overdoing it!)

Rosé with Easter lamb and chocolate? Don’t mind if I do…

The problem with making recommendations a couple of weeks ahead of publication is that you haven’t a clue what the weather will be like, as the recent arctic spell demonstrated. Who would have thought at the beginning of March that we’d have felt like cracking open a 15% amarone? So it is with some trepidation that I mention rosé as an option for Easter, but who knows? We may be basking in a heatwave.

Anyway, supermarkets are taking no chances and already bigging up their rosé ranges. Aldi has eight new ones, including the well-priced, mainly grenache- and carignan-based Mediterranée Terre de Brume 2017, which tastes more substantial than its 12% abv would suggest and which, at £4.69, is certainly a bargain. Even so, I’d be inclined to pay an extra three quid for the pale, crisp La Petite Laurette that the Co-op has just taken on and that tastes like a Provence rosé without a Provençal price tag.

I still think most of us would rather be drinking rioja or bordeaux at this time of year, though, not least because they are the classic go-tos for Easter lamb. It’s worth snapping up 2015 bordeaux, an excellent vintage, while you can (’16s are good, too, but a bit young). Majestic’s Château Recougne Bordeaux Supérieur 2015, for example, is drinking deliciously right now.

Personally, however, I’m yearning for even lighter reds, such as the joyously quaffable El Castro De Valtuille Mencia from Bierzo in northern Spain (£13.70 Bottle Apostle, £14 The Good Wine Shop, or £12.75 if you buy a case; 13.5%), which would be lovely if you’re roasting a chicken.

Prosecco? Inevitably there will be loads of offers, but if you’re planning an Easter tea, remember to look for extra-dry, which is perversely sweeter than brut. Aldi has a £12.99 magnum of Ca’di Pietra (11%), which is always fun to pass around. And if you’re prosecco-ed out, Ammazza Bianco Spumante, in its appealingly chunky bottle, is a more interesting-looking alternative, if not quite the “Wow!” that the word ammazza implies (I learned that at younginrome.com).

Finally, I would be failing in my duty if I didn’t offer you a wine to demolish with your children’s leftover Easter eggs (although, truth be told, it goes better with dark than with milk chocolate): Mavrodaphne of Patras is one of the wine world’s great sweet wine bargains, and it tastes like chocolate raisins; it’s very good with chocolate cake and blue cheeses such as stilton, too.

Four of the best wines for Easter

La Petite Laurette Rosé 2017

£7.99 Co-op, 13%

Pale, crisp Provençal-style rosé for olives, dips and other nibbles
Château Recougne Bordeaux Supérieur 2015

£9.99 (£7.99 on the mix-six deal) Majestic, 14%

Charmingly fruity claret
Ammazza Spumante

£11.99 (£8.49 on the mix-six deal) Majestic, 11%

Party fizz: perfect for an Easter brunch
Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras Cameo

£6.95 Ocado, Waitrose 15%

Rich, brambly and sweet: Greece’s answer to port

The History Of Whisky Production In Scotland

If you have ever gone into a whisky shop or visited an online whisky exchange you will be have been surprised by the different arrays of whiskies on display. But have you ever wondered what is it that makes this drink so special? In order to fully appreciate scotch single malt whisky it's essential to know how it is produced and where to buy high quality Scotch whisky. On the Internet there are many places to purchase good quality Scotch, like a whisky exchange or online whisky shop.

Origins of Whisky

It is possible that the distillation process was started in ancient Babylon around 2000 BC. Although this wasn't to distil spirits, but for perfumes. It is thought that the art of distilling spirits was developed around the 13th century in Italy, where wine was distilled to extract the alcohol. Then the practice spread to Ireland and Scotland.

In the Gaelic language (the language spoken by the Irish and Scots) the words 'whisky' literally means "water of life". It is thought that the process of distilling grains came from Ireland and that the Scots may have learned whisky distillation from the Christian missionary monks, who had travelled over from Ireland. Although the Socts claim to have the earliest recorded accounts of distilling spirits, no one can be certain just when the drink from distilled grains was produced.

In order for a whisky to be called 'Scotch Whisky' it has to have been produced in Scotland and have been matured in wooden casks, on Scottish ground, for at least 3 years. Whisky is produced in other countries and the spelling of it depends on where it is produced. Whiskey produced in the US and Ireland has the 'e' at the end. Whereas whisky produced in Scotland, Canada and Japan don't have the 'e' at the end. Although many countries have tried to produce their own whiskies, nothing can compare to the uniqueness of a fine Scotch single malt.

What Is Needed For High Quality Whisky?

The three main factors to make a good quality Scotch single malt are: pure water, barley and peat. Scotland has been blessed with all three of these factors. The Scottish climate produces high quality barley. Although Scottish distillers prefer using Scottish barley, the source isn't important. For making high quality whisky the barley needs to have a higher sugar content. The water from the hills is clean and pure and fresh peat is in abundance. The water in Scotland is naturally 'soft', it is in abundance and is naturally filtered through peat. This all combines to give Scotch whisky a unique taste.

Blended or Single Malt?

There are generally 2 main types of Scotch whisky - blended and single malt (although in the past few years some distillers have been selling 'grain whisky'). Any whisky produced in Scotland has to be matured in casks, usually oak, for a minimum of three years. Unlike wine, whisky doesn't mature in the bottles. All the maturation process happens in the casks, where some evaporation occurs (called the angels share).

A blended whisky is a blend of different whiskies, from different distilleries combined with a grain whisky. The age of whisky on the bottle will be the age of the youngest whisky in the blend. Some high quality blended whisky can contain whiskies that have been matured in casks for 50 years!

A single malt whisky will be produced from one distillery and not be blended with other whiskies. The minimum age for a single malt is 8 or 10 years. The older the whisky then the smoother the flavour will be.

So what is better - a single malt or blended whisky? This is a matter of opinion. A high quality blended whisky can be even richer in flavour and smoother to the palate than a cheaper single malt. In general though, single malts are classed as the best type of whisky.

When it involves whisky there's nothing like scotch whisky (or, as we say in Scotland "a wee dram"). It retains a unique and original flavour which has not changed throughout the centuries.

In order to view a range of good quality whiskies you can visit a whisky exchange or whisky shop. There you will be able to browse through the various brands and see what region of Scotland there are from, how 'peaty' the whisky is and what is unique to that specific whisky.

Champagne Tropical Fruit Cocktail

 1/2 cup cubed mango
 1/2 banana, sliced
 1 medium navel or blood orange, peeled, halved and sliced
 1 medium kiwi, peeled and cut into small cubes
 1/2 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks
 1 cup Champagne or sparkling wine
 Mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

Place the fruit into 2, Champagne flutes or other tall decorative glasses. Pour in the Champagne or sparking wine. Garnish with mint, if desired. Enjoy!

To make this decadent fruit cocktail even more decadent, serve with small cookies and tiny chocolates. You’ll find a good selection of both in the aisles cookies and chocolates are sold.

5 Cocktails To Drink When Keeping That Rockin Body Is A Must

When you're out with your friends and everyone's drinking and you decide you want a drink, have a drink that won't end up destroying all your weight loss hard work. This article is dedicated to helping you find the best drinks when your out with friends. We will skip all the boring reasons and scientific research into why it is you shouldn't drink especially if you're trying to lose weight and get fit, and focus rather on what to do when you have decided to go ahead and have a cold one.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know when you have had too much to drink and damage is done. Generally your body lets you know the next day with a serious hangover. When this happens it always seems that the best possible remedy is a greasy calorie loaded meal that is of course detrimental to anyone trying to lose weight and get fit. However you need to be realistic and know that having a drink occasionally is not so bad, after all a good drink has the ability to relieve a little stress, calm you down, and lift up your mood. Caution though is needed when you decide to drink as not all drinks are created the same. This is similar to the food that you choose to eat or not to eat, not all food is created equal, while some of it can be okay other types of food need to be avoided at all times, the same would be true for certain cocktails.

Being prepared ahead of time so that when a scenario is put before you that will more than likely end up in a way that could be bad you will have already had the knowledge and wisdom to know what to avoid or what to choose. When you read on further you will learn of the five best drinks and why they are okay. They're okay for you not because they are low cost or because they taste really good but for health-related reasons and how they affect your body. This should be primary concern for anyone who's losing weight and getting in shape knowing the reasons why their good and how they affect your health will make a difference.

One of the best types of cocktails to drink is actually one that most people are familiar with and drink on a regular basis. Many things have been written about red wine, from the high antioxidant levels to how it can even help with small stomachaches. I believe there are even a few scriptures in the Bible that talk about having a little bit of wine is good for the stomach.

Since red wine is what's mentioned in this article specifically do not wrongly assume that white wine is not equally if not better for your body. The research that has been done shows almost in every case that both wines offer health benefits. The really interesting fact as of late is that actually white wine has a little bit higher antioxidant level as well as being somewhat more beneficial in other health areas. What all this research really means is that for the health-conscious you cannot go wrong if you're going to drink a cocktail by choosing wine.

Skipping over the pond (the Atlantis that is) and landing on a little island that seems to be best known for pubs and shamrocks as well as their rich fool bodied beers is Ireland. Ireland seems to be synonymous with its most popular mass produced beer Guinness Stout. The Irish saying about Guinness is that it is just as much of the meal as it is a drink. Guinness as being a healthy cocktail choice may sound like a complete contradiction since when you have one you feel like you had a brick to drink. However that is the reason why Guinness is a healthy choice because one of those beers can fill you up as much as a 12 pack of Bud. What else is surprising is that Guinness is quite low in calories and carries a fairly high iron content which makes it one of the best mass-produced beers you can drink.

If you're not much of a beer person but are more of a hard liquor person drinking top shelf alcohol of any kind straight on the rocks or with water is not a bad way to go. Why the recommendation of top shelf alcohol which may seem more expensive is recommended is because usually the cheap stuff leaves many kinds of impurities and bad tastes which lend it to being blended and mixed with sodas or juices. Top shelf alcohol is made not to be combined with anything else but usually to be enjoyed by itself therefore limiting the caloric impact it can have on your body.

If you're the kind of person that loves liquor over beer or wine but feel that you may need just a little something splashed in to your drink besides water or just simply on the rocks your best bet is a vodka soda. A vodka soda should not to be confused with a vodka tonic as tonic water is not really good because it's high in sugar and calories. Why soda over tonic, is because soda water is basically water that's been carbonated with no additional calories or sugars of any kind. Mixing together a little vodka, soda water, and a touch of lime juice creates a light and refreshing simple cocktail that's easy to make and easy on your body.

Last but not least is really for those that love beer and love different types of beer. For those that are not too keen on Guinness, microbrews offer a great alternative. You might find yourself scratching your head as to why a micro brewed beer is better than a mass-produced beer and the answer to this question is actually quite simple.

Beers that are massed produced usually rank well in price and seem to win every time against micro-brewed beer. The reason for this is that the ingredients that are used in these beers generally are of lower quality while at the same time using lower grade ingredients like artificial flavorings and colors as well as a lot of other junk. The micro brews as an alternative on the other hand stick to European codes when they're being made so they end up using natural ingredients and no artificial flavorings or any other junk. These are a few reasons as to why this type of beer is a good choice on the list of top 5 cocktails.

Sticking with these five cocktails as your drink of choice when you're out with friends will go a long way in helping you reduce calories and maintain good sound health. When you feel like you need a drink don't be nervous about the repercussions. With any of these alternatives is a great way to relieve some stress feel satisfied and rest assured that the choice you made is a good one.