One sip was enough to realize that this is an Italian wine for people who don’t really like Italian wine, but feel uneasy about ordering a bottle of something Chilean to go with the lasagna.

(A wine that’s very much The Old Curiosity Drop. Find out more by clicking on the main headline title above…)

Not – judging by the appreciative way in which it was usually quaffed – was there too much wrong with the complimentary bottle of red or white wine that’s awaited each of our guests on their arrival.

But since we arrived in Abruzzo and launched Villasfor2, we’ve discovered local wineries making wine we think you’ll enjoy at least as much as our ‘house originals’ – and hopefully more.

(With heart in mouth, we ignore the principle of “if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it” by introducing a new Villasfor2 House Red and House White. Click on the main headline title above to read all about them !)

Right now, the most interesting and innovative Italian white wines are being made in the Alto Adige region in the country’s far north-east.

Foremost among the producers is the St Michael co-op of around 300 growers centered around the town of Appiano – or Eppan – a little to the south of Bolzano.

St Michael is a winery garlanded with superlatives…

(…and a taste of this excellent Riesling will explain just why. For more, click on the main headline title above…)