Tracie and I will be leaving tomorrow for the Boulder Burgundy Festival where I’ll be doing my yearly gig as the event’s official blogger. This year, festival founder and owner of the Boulder Wine Merchant, Brett Zimmerman, has also asked me to moderate a panel of super sommeliers on “Rethinking the Négociant.” I’m super geeked about that and just feeling blessed to have such great work these days.
On Sunday morning, I’ll kiss Tracie goodbye as she heads back to Houston and I’ll travel to Aquila in Abruzzo where I’ll be leading a seminar on the region’s wines for a group of top wine pros. This trip came about at the last minute when a trip to NYC next week got postponed. I’ve been developing the seminar for a few years now and I’m excited to spend a few days with colleagues tasting and talking about the compelling wines that are made there. We’ll be in Chieti as well. Seafood and Cerasuolo, anyone?
Then it’s back to Houston where I’ll be conducting a seminar on Piedmont Collectibles with a local partner on Monday, October 30. See the link to register. The last event was so much fun and such a great group of folks. As fried as I’m going to be, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve always found Nebbiolo to be an excellent remedy for jet lag!
I’ll only be at home with the girls for a few days when I leave for Hong Kong on Halloween. I’ll be pouring and speaking at James Suckling’s Great Wines of Italy event on Friday, November 2. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, please stop by!
After that, it’s on to Dallas for a seminar at the Taste of Italy festival there and then back to Italy to teach…
My schedule is so intense these days that it reminds me of being on the road with the band back in the day.
Wish me luck and wish me speed and thank you to everyone for their support and solidarity. I feel truly blessed to do what I do for a living. Thanks for being here.
Do Bianchi 
Just got back from Abruzzo. What a magical place! While the Gran Sasso gets all the glory, PNALM and the Gole Sagittario are just…magical. You’d get me back in a heartbeat.
Okay and yes, I came back addicted to Cerasuolo. Sure, Montepulciano is their calling card, but Cerasuolo is their real standout. I was jumping up and down with glee when I found a place in the US that stocked a good one.
Buon viaggio!!
John
John, I hope we get to taste those wines together some day! Maybe you’ll come on one of my trips next year. I would love that. Thanks for being here. :) Abbraccio
Dear Jeremy,When you are in Hong Kong, please go to Lock Cha tea House in Hong Kong Park. Please contact Wing-chi Ip, the owner, who is a very good friend and traveling companion. His contact is mrleaf@lockcha.com He also owns another restaurant just opposite the tea house in HK Park called Pondside. The tea house is located just outside the Tea Museum, which Wing-chi created for Dr. Low, the inventor of soy milk. The menu is all vegetarian dim sum from a wonderful Buddhist nunnery opposite Hong Kong on the mainland. It also is worth a special journey. But please contact Wing-chi for me and bring him a big hug from me. Enjoy your travels.Darrell
I will contact him for sure! Thank you Darrell!