Monday, September 15, 2008

A Jug of Wine; A Loaf of Bread






Our first field trip out of the city took us to the ceramics area of Deruta. We spent an amazing morning on a private tour of one of the finest Italian ceramics factories.

Then off to lunch and to the home and business of a family run olive oil maker. The olive oil is harvested and pressed in the old style, not mass produced and it was exquisite. What we assumed to be a picnic lunch turned out to be another large Italian style lunch starting with olive oil drenched bruschetta, spelt with tomatoes and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil, mixed grilled vegetables marinated and drizzled with, you guessed it, olive oil, salad with olive oil vinaigrette, melon, biscotti dipped in wine, and finally 2 grappe soaked grapes as a chaser and wine, wine and more wine. Just roll me home in a barrel.

On to a winery. By then we were all pretty woozy but what can you do? The winery, San Lucca, formerly a a monastery, hence the name, again is a small family run winery exporting primarily to the Umbrian area. Their wines are wonderful blends of various grapes and the servings were liberal.

Finally home to Cortona for a much needed detox. But, oh it was well worth it!

My photography assignment for the day was reflections. Although I took snapshots my main goal was to shoot images reflected in other objects; a wine bottle reflected in a window, water reflecting images from a branch, light reflected off of a glass designed door , a clock reflected off a large window. It was amazing how many things there were to shoot and the incredible images I captured.

Tomorrow it's off to Florence

3 comments:

KRCampbellArt said...

Well, I'm doing this next year! I've always wanted to go to Italy and your blog is so exciting, the places you are going, what you are eating. tee-hee.
Thank you from the arm-chair travelers.
k

Wendy Fleming said...

Oh Jane! I am so excited for you. All that you are experiencing and seeing...I just love it for you. If you need some larger pants, just let me know...I will overnight some to you!! Lov4 you. Wendy

Jeanie said...

I get so excited just reading about this! Oh, the "picnic!" (Can you tell I'm in a foodie frame of mind? I love the assignments. I should give myself more assignments!