Thursday, January 6, 2011

Groovin' in Friuli Soon

As you may have read in other quarters by now, a small band of misfit, miscreant and otherwise misbehaving wine bloggers, myself included, will be headed to NE Italy soon, in early February to be exact, for a week long tour of the Colli Orientali di Friuli.

While I've been to the Veneto and Trentino in the past, I've never before ventured to Friuli, the easternmost portion of northeastern Italy, where the culture is a melange of Italian, Germanic and Eastern European influences, from a viticultural perspective, a culinary perspective and a plain old cultural perspective.  I'm dying to check it out and very much looking forward to the trip.

If there's a caveat that must be raised, it's that the trip is sponsored by somewhat mercantile concerns, in part by the Conzorzio dei Colli Orientali del Friuli and in other part by those concerned with heading up the Italian branch of the Bastianich empire.  I'm always a tad trepidatious when agreeing to accept such offers and attend such ventures (all airfare, accommodations and meals are paid for by the trip sponsors), as I don't have full control over the trip.  In other words, I'm not sure we'll be seeing the same slate of producers I'd arrange to visit if the trip were self-sponsored and completely under my control.  But I'm quite willing to participate, to hope that we'll see some of the top talent—whether emerging or long-established—in the region, to treat it as a learning experience, and to write about it as I see fit and appropriate from my perspective and for you, my fair and much appreciated readers.

You can read a little more about the trip and my fellow band of merry travelers at the official COF 2011 blog, which is being managed by my erstwhile partner in crime, Mr. DoBi himself, Dr. Jeremy Parzen.

I'm as psyched to be groovin' in Friuli (which I will be) as I would have been to have counted myself among the audience at the show below (which I can't).




Can't wait, y'all. Look out for the official reports from the road, starting round about a month from now.

PS: For those not tuned into the Zappa way, the tune above inspired the title of this here post. And yes, just in case you weren't sure, that's George Duke on the keys, Jean-Luc Ponty on the fiddle, Ruth Underwood on the vibes....

22 comments:

Alfonso Cevola said...

First Dolly - Now Zappa? WTF?


word verification: palik
(I guess that says it all)

David McDuff said...

What can I say, Ace? I'm an old fan and it's not Frank's first appearance here. I'm working on the mix "tapes" for the trip in my spare time. As for Dolly, that's all Dr. J....

Do Bianchi said...

dude, you just uttered the MAGIC words: "MIXED TAPE"!

I think we should add a serious musical component to this gig...

so glad that you'll be joining us and btw, when we negotiated the terms of this trip, I made sure to let them know that we need ample time for blogging, we need to see iconic producers whose wines are present in the US, and NO DEATH MARCH!

This trip is going to be a good... mama Jar (as the band calls me when we're on the road) is in charge...

and listen, man, ain't no one getting fat 'xcept for mama Jar!

Lisa said...

TREPIDATIOUS?

Samantha Dugan said...

No gettin' here, I'm coming fat so I've got nothing to worry about. Whew, now how to get one of you cats to work some New Edition into the mixed tapes....

David McDuff said...

@DoBi - Music is a must. Any word on the audio capabilities in our tour bus? Also, glad to know you laid down the law for the trip specs. Can't wait.

@Lisa - Now that you mention it, perhaps that was a poor word choice, as I'm not really afraid or anxious in any way, just a little conflicted. Nonetheless, trepidatious (alt., trepidacious) is, according to the OED, a word, lest that was your question. For more, see http://www.grammarphobia.com/blogger-blog/2007/06/is-trepidatious-word.html.

TWG said...

Sam be sure to pack your iPod, iPad, iPhone or other device. (word ver: bucka, Sam bucka' the crew's musical tastes).

David McDuff said...

@Sam - The New Edition listening station will require a separate vehicle.

@DoBi - And no chokin' on ham sandwiches or other such rumors.

viNomadic said...

Is that Aynsely Dunbar on drums? Thanks for your kind & generous offer to share Clarine. Will address...as appropiate.

David McDuff said...

@DJRS - I can't say with 100% certainty but the time frame is right (early 70s) and that does look at least a little like the photos I've seen of Aynsley from that era.

The offer to share Clarine (or something else of interest should the Clarine somehow "disappear") is open anytime you're in this neck of the woods.

Samantha Dugan said...

TWG Oh trust me, as a non sleeper I will have both my laptop and my ipod with me for sure.

David, now why you gotta hate? And why am I now picturing myself packed on a little trailer being dragged behind the car with a boombox playing Candy Girl?

David McDuff said...

@Sam - That's quite the image.... I'd never hate on you, btw. But on New Edition? That's another story. I'll tell you what: I'll put up with New Edition in the mix if you'll agree to drink a glass of Rombauer Chard every time it cycles through the rotation ;)

Do Bianchi said...

@Sam&Dave mama Jar here, folks... looks like we're going to have to rent two cars! New Edition STAYS! ;)

Samantha Dugan said...

Yay Mama Jar! Now can we make David drink the Rombauer Chardonnay?

David McDuff said...

Oy vey... Tag teaming me, eh? I suppose we'll have to hold a cage match to reach a final decision.

Lisa said...

<3 TREPIDATIOUS <3

Louis/Dressner Selections said...

Who will you be visiting in Friuli?

I'm sure Alfonsi and Jeremy have a listing?

Gravner? Radidon?

Joe Manekin said...

New Edition, lots of delicious white wines (maybe some delicious orange ones)...sounds like a party to me! You all have fun. And leave the Rombauer at home, white merlot should be the punishment wine.

David McDuff said...

@LDM - Hi Joe. I haven't seen the itinerary yet. Gravner and Radikon would of course be great to visit.

@JoeM - Certainly hoping there will be some orange wines in the mix, and still holding out hope that the New Edition will be left out of the mix.

PS: I singled out the Rombauer with Sam in mind as I know it's one of her personal faves.

Samantha Dugan said...

Rombauer Chardonnay makes the little, "I think I'm gonna barf" hairs stand up on the back of my neck, now if New Edition has that same reaction for you David then maybe we can slip in Boyz II Men instead....

Karen Ulrich said...

Sweetness. Have an awesome trip!

Unknown said...

Enjoy Friuli; I'm sure you'll report back. I'm envious, but deskbound by my job until March. BTW, where are you working these days?

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