Grignolino d’Asti. ‘Miniato’. 2007

This is a real find. Think ‘Asti’ and the connection 99 times out of 100 will be ‘Spumante’. Grignolino d’Asti isn’t so much a poor relation to this regional superstar as a long-lost outcast from up in the hills. In an area of Piedmont so awash with DOCG wines - headed by the mighty Barolo - that even the fussiest drinker is spoiled for choice, Grignolino d’Asti is largely neglected. Big mistake…

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So far in ‘Blog of Blogs 1′ and ‘Blog of Blogs 2′, we’ve run through the story of our arrival in Italy in October last year…why we chose to live permanently in Abruzzo…and what we plan to do here. We’ve at last bought our Abruzzo property, got the planning permission and started work on the project that’ll result in our new home and the three villas for your Abruzzo holidays for two…

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The wolf is the symbol of the Majella. Hunted for centuries and the subject of more myth and folklore than any other animal in the Park, the wolf now enjoys protected status.

You’re most likely to hear a wolf baying in the late winter/early spring and a pawprint in snow or mud - or even the remains of its prey (usually wild boars or deer) can make you aware of its presence….

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