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VULCANIA SOAVE 2012 and more (7)
* Please read all the previous and next articles about VULCANIA SOAVE 2012, about the SOAVE and the COLLI EUGANEI regions *
After our stay in the Soave region, we moved to the south-east of Veneto, to another volcanic region, the COLLI EUGANEI in the Padova Region just behind the Venetian Lagoon and Gulf. I knew nothing about the region, and was expecting quite a lot after the event in Soave. My first encounter with the COLLI EUGANEI was really like ‘falling in love at the first sight’. The landscape, the ambiance, the people, the human scale, the wines, the food… everything here seems so pretty obvious, so natural… No star allures, but good old country side warmth and hospitality. I really enjoyed every single moment! It felt for me like being at HOME… with friends sharing the same love for good wines, good food and a big smile. That is for me the real charm of Italy. Not much blah blah, but people enjoying life fully and willing to share it with everyone who makes the effort to knock on the door. Yes, I felt really WELCOME.
Vineyards in Colli Euganei – © Giuseppe Sboarina
BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE
I think that the big difference with the Soave region is that the local ecosystem of the COLLI EUGANEI region has been perfectly preserved thanks to the creation in 1989 of a 20,000 hectares big National Park. You can feel here the timeless NATURE, in full harmony and peace. Everywhere you look and go inside this big park, you see, smell and hear the local biodiversity in fauna and flora. It makes you feel relaxed, peaceful, humble and thankful. The volcano shapes are much more present than in Soave region, maybe because those volcanoes were born more recently than the ones in Soave, only some 30-40 million years ago instead of 50. The whole picture is even more beautiful than in Soave because of the vegetation, much more Mediterranean… My favourite moment is when the sun is going down, the light is really fantastic. Just relax, with a good glass of cool white Colli Euganei Bianco and wait a bit longer… Then, you will see all those old volcano peaks in a very different way… The lower parts are slowly disappearing in the dark, while the peaks are still fierily emerging. You can imagine the scene, some millions of years ago, when these volcanoes were emerging from the sea, forming a complex archipelago.
Vineyards with a view in Colli Euganei – © Giuseppe Sboarina
WARM HOSPITALITY
It seems like if this region has always been a welcoming shelter place, a small Epicurean paradise with a huge attraction on artists, nature and good life lovers. The small cities in the region are all worth a visit; many small or big buildings, especially from the Renaissance period, will bring you back in the past… And after the visit, the rich offer of local wines and food will make you feel happy. And talking about ‘warm’ hospitality and relaxation, the Euganean region is also very famous for its great natural wellness spa (Abano Terme being the world’s spa capital, see also HOTEL ABANO RITZ for a fantastic, luxury accommodation!). Warm water and mud baths, rich in mineral salts, will bring you back to life!
Our ‘guide’ and host for 2 days was no one less than the president of the Colli Euganei wine Consorzio. I was really impressed by this kind, open minded and easy smiling president, ANTONIO DAL SANTO. He is a real ambassador of ‘his’ region, ‘his’ wineries, ‘his’ wines and gastronomy, ‘his’ people. This guy is much more worth than thousands marketing words. Just one smile, one look in his passionate eyes, and you are just convinced about the incredible hospitality and oenogastronomic potential of this fabulous region.
Il Presidente… Antonio Dal Santo – © Consorzio
GASTRONOMY
After our visit at the Geoantropolical Museum of CAVA BOMBA in Cinto Euganeo (highly recommended!), we could enjoy a short aperitif… I am still dreaming of those absolutely delicious – natural - cold cuts (made by the Consorzio president himself!), great cheese and fantastic bread we tasted. That only would be already a reason for me to come back to the Colli Euganei! But there is more to discover, like the great local olive oils, the home-made pasta, the honey, the fruits, the aromatic herbs, and of course the great country-side cooking skills. I really enjoyed the quick lunch at the fantastic family restaurant VAL POMARO in Arquà Petrarca. The family BONELLO knows perfectly how to translate the centuries old tradition in modern, slightly revisited creations, where you still can feel the spirit of the old generations… Also highly recommended! One little remark: don’t eat too much for breakfast if you want to fully enjoy your lunch there. The portions are all but ‘childish’…
* Please read all the previous and next articles about VULCANIA SOAVE 2012, about the SOAVE and the COLLI EUGANEI regions *
