Caravaggio’s “Supper at Emmaus”, 1601

The first miracle of Christ? – Turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana (Jesus’ mother noticed that honeymooners problem: end wine, and asked her son to do something – Jn. 2:1-12). Your right to question the prestige of this miracle than healing Sukhorukov, walking on water and daunting possessed. But from the fact that wine and Christianity are very closely intertwined, you can not escape.

Bread and wine are leaking important detail paintings on the Gospel stories, of course, is not just. But the collapse in the very beginning of the post in a dense thicket of origin of the Christian mythology, I can not.

Let us just take for granted: Wine, white tablecloth and fried chicken never, under any circumstances can not be simply wine, white tablecloth and fried chicken, if there is depicted Christ. A painting in this context – this article with a mighty reference apparatus. Any item on it – a reference to quite a specific passage of Scripture or visual commentary.
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I look at the genius of utilitarian: it is the degree of skill. Start with the pope in his childhood studying music, to devote 30 years – and get Mozart. Vbuhali a lot of time in the solution terribly difficult task, such as Fermat’s theorem (“lay unsubstantiated” more than 300 years) – and become Andrew Wiles. Little Andrew was first attempted to prove it when he was 10 years old. And since 33 years old, he began to devote all his time to the riddle. And seven years later, finally, it “clicked.” In the end, any problem can be represented as a bust of options to search for the ideal. Thomas Edison went through 6000 in search of a suitable material for the filament in the bulb. Elvis recorded 12 versions of the hit Shake Rattle and Roll, has not yet settled on a “correct”.

In many areas of human activity that is purely technical process of “brute force gems” can be greatly facilitated. But where the area of focus is life itself, little can be expedited.
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California And Italian Wine Club Explains Wine Bottle Shapes

In 1821 the H. Ricketts & Co. Glassworks patented the glass bottle molding machine and the rest is history. The shapes developed in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Spain, and Portugal were standardized and continue to be the norm. Wine clubs assist enthusiasts to identify bottle content without reading the label by including bottle varieties in their wine of the month club selections.
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Napa Valley is home to over 200 wineries-many offering tours, tastings, and a chance to bask in the leisurely ambiance of the Wine Country. With a heritage of grape growing and wine making that spans over 150 years, the history of winemaking in Napa Valley is the history of Napa Valley. Located just over an hour north of San Francisco, Napa Valley consists of six towns: Napa, Yountville, Oakville/Rutherford, St. Helena, Calistoga, and Lake Berryessa. Together, they create a getaway destination beyond compare with lush, rolling hills, rows of manicured vineyards lining the valley floor and hillsides, rock palisades, beautiful lakes, and meandering streams-all the natural beauty one could ask for. For more information, contact the Napa Valley Conference & Visitors Bureau, 1310 Napa Town Center, Napa, CA 94559, Tel (707) 226-7459.

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The region of Chianti, world renown for its red wines, is one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. Situated in the center of Tuscany between Florence, Siena, and Arezzo, the Chianti region is made up of hills and valleys overflowing with charming olive groves, vineyards, and woods. Rich in history, art, and popular traditions, it is a region full of beauty and tranquillity.

ACCOMODATIONS

Hotel Borgo Argenina
Located in the medieval village of Argenina in the heart of Tuscany, Hotel Borgo Argenina offers rooms and apartments with all modern comforts. With the help of stylist Elena Nappa, the small village of Argenina has been restored to its ancient beauty. Being a guest in Argenina means having a unique and unforgettable experience. The warm and familiar atmosphere, the wonderful view and the old style will enchant everyone who loves peace, silence, ancient traditions, and art.

Hotel Borgo Argenina
Gaiole in Chianti (Siena), Italy
Tel/Fax (39) 0577 747 117

Castel Bigozzi
Owing to its geographical location, Castel Bigozzi is the ideal place for anyone who is interested in Tuscany’s artistic and historical beauties. Enjoy a relaxing vacation in the Tuscany countryside at this renovated residence which dates back to 1200. Castel Bigozzi offers heating, air conditioning, hydromassage baths or showers, and a swimming pool in an exclusive, natural setting.

Castel Bigozzi
Localita Bigozzi-Strove
53035 Monteriggioni (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0577 300 000
Fax (39) 0577 300 001
Email: castelbigozzi@chiantiturismo.it

Castello di Spaltenna
The Castle of Spaltenna is an ancient fortified monastery, built next to the parish church of St. Maria di Spaltenna, one of the oldest and charming churches in the entire Chianti area. The Castle and the little hamlet nearby look out on a wonderful valley, surrounded by vineyards and woods. It is also the center of an area full of castles and towers, old abbeys, and medieval fortified villages. An elegant and peaceful retreat, Castello di Spaltenna is an ideal place to visit the Chianti region.

Castello di Spaltenna
53013 Gaiole in Chianti (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 577 749 483/ 749 499/ 749 268
Fax (39) 577 749 269
Email: castellospaltenna@chiantinet.it

Locanda di Volpaia
Surrounded by the most beautiful scenery of the Chianti hills, in between vineyards, woods, and olive groves, at 600 meters above sea level, rises Locanda di Volpaia, a fortified Medieval village on a hilltop not far from Radda in Chianti. The hotel itself has a magnificent view, not only overlooking the vineyards and olive groves which produce the Castello di Volpaia’s renowned wines and oil, but well beyond. Locanda di Volpaia is a 16th century farm converted into a charming estate which has the relaxed atmosphere of a comfortable country house which is incidentally also a hotel run by its owners with the help of a small staff.

Locanda di Volpaia
Localita Montanino di Volpaia
53017 Radda in Chianti (Siena), Italy
Tel/Fax (39) 0577 738 832 – 33

Locanda Le Piazze
Locanda Le Piazze is an ancient farm carefully restored to an elegant country inn in a panoramic setting of olive groves and vineyards. With twenty individually furnished rooms, each with private bath, telephone, and cable tv on request, Locanda Le Piazze also offers a bar, three lounges, typical Tuscan fireplaces, buffet breakfast, restaurant, conference facilities, and a large swimming pool set in naturally landscaped grounds.

Locanda Le Piazze
53011 Castellina in Chianti (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0577 743 190
Fax (39) 0577 743 191
Email: lepiazze@chiantinet.it

Podere Casato
The Podere Casato is located just 20 km from Siena, on the hills of the Chianti Classico region. An ideal place for a relaxing vacation, The Podere Casato offers guests comfortable rooms with air conditioning, a bar, reading room, bocce court, swimming pool, bicycles and a riding club. The thermal spa of Rapolana is only 8 km away.

Podere Casato
Strada Chiantigiana, 12
53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0577 352 002
Fax (39) 0577 352 900
Email: casato@chiantinet.it

La Vecchia Cartiera
What is now called “La Vecchia Cartiera” (The Old Papermill) was once a factory which produced valuable paper. This old structure, which dates back to 1200, is located in the center of the Colle Val d’Elsa. La Vecchia Cartiera has become a comfortable hotel after careful renovation. The façade, characterized by harmonious arched windows, evidences the architectural traits of the papermills of its time.

La Vecchia Cartiera
Via Oberdan
53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0577 92 11 07
Fax (39) 0577 92 36 88
Email: cartiera@chiantiturismo.it

“L’Ultimo Mulino”
In the heart of Chianti, between Radda and Gaiole, immersed in a beautiful natural surrounding, a few minutes from the famous castles and hamlets of the zone, we find a prestigious and particular four star hotel which offers its guests complete comfort and tranquillity thanks to the enchanting beauty of its architectural features and the natural scenery of its setting. The Hotel, originally a Medieval Mill, has been carefully restored respecting its original historical structure, while at the same time allowing for all the modern amenities and comforts of a top hotel.

“L’Ultimo Mulino”
Loc. “La Ripresa di Vistarenni”
53013 Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)
Tel (39) 577 738 520
Fax (39) 577 738 659
Email: hotelmulino@chiantinet.it

Hotel Villa Casalecchi
Villa Castalecchi is situated in the heart of the Chianti region between Florence and Siena. Immersed in a park of centuries-old trees and surrounded by vine-groves of the famous Chianti Classico wine, Villa Casalecchi is an oasis of peace and quiet. The hotel is made up of a main building-an 18th century stately home-with sixteen rooms and an annex with three suites. A four star hotel with outstanding modern services, Villa Casalecchi is the ideal choice for a peaceful vacation in close contact with unspoilt nature.

Hotel Villa Casalecchi
Castellina in Chianti (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 577 740 240
Fax (39) 577 741 111
Email: casalecchi@chiantinet.it

DINING

Al Marsili
The restaurant Al Marsili assures you peaceful and elegant hospitality in a setting of rare medieval beauty in the historical Sienese center. You may choose Tuscan cuisine from an “a la carte” menu guaranteed to satisfy the most refined palate.

Ristorante Enoteca Al Marsili
Via del Castoro 3
53100 Siena, Italy
Tel (39) 0577 47 154
Fax (39) 0577 47 338
Email: info@almarsili.com

Hostaria Molino del Grillo
Located in the Chianti Sienese countryside, the Hostaria Molino del Grillo specializes in grilled meat and “Ribollita”. Enjoy refined, elegant, traditional Tuscan dishes in the Chianti countryside.

Hostaria Molino del Grillo
Localita Colonna del Grillo
I-53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0577 355 169
Fax (39) 0577 353 050
Email: grillo@areacom.it

Ristorante La Fattoria
On premises that were originally a farmstead, La Fattoria restaurant offers an opportunity to enjoy genuine, historic dishes, the best that Tuscan tradition has to offer. Typical dishes vary with the season and are made with natural ingredients and local produce: fried sage, homemade ravioli with truffles, splet soup, gnocchi in bullion, woodoven-roasted suckling pig with potatoes, and chicken grilled between terracotta slabs.

Ristorante La Fattoria
Via del Cerro, 11
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (FI), Italy
Tel (39) 55 8070000 / 8070158

Ristorante Osteria del Laghetto
Situated on the shore of Lake Quornia, surrounded by the Chianti area, Ristorante Osteria del Laghetto offers fragrances and flavors of the area, fresh fish, and gourmet pizza with a panoramic hill view. With a wine cellar with over 150 wines, this restaurant also organizes guided visits to the wine cellars of the wine-growing estates in the area.

Ristorante Osteria del Laghetto
Localita Quornia
I-53011 Castellina in Chianti (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0577 743 125
Fax (39) 0577 743 125

Osteria del Vicaro
This restaurant is situated in a 13th century monastery on a hill. Known for its regional and creative cuisine, specialties include grilled meat, typical tuscan soups, truffles, pore mushrooms, fresh smoked meat and fish.

Osteria del Vicaro
Via Rivellino, 3 Certaldo Alto
I-50052 Certaldo (FI), Italy
Tel (39) 0571 668 228
Fax (39) 0571 668 676

Osteria La Gramola
Located in the historic center with an outer terrace, Osteria La Gramola offers a welcoming, comfortable dining environment with a regional menu that changes everyday. Main dishes and specialties include Piatti della cucina toscana, tagliatelle fatte in casa sulla nana, Trippa, and Grigliata di verdure ecc.

Osteria La Gramola
Via delle Fonti, 1
I-50028 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (FI), Italy
Tel (39) 558 050 321
Fax (39) 558 050 321

Ristorante Sobborgo
The restaurant Sobborgo offers a warm environment with elegant Mediterranean, regional, and sea specialties. House specialties include a delicious chick-pea soup and spelt soup.

Ristorante Sobborgo
Via Sobborgo, 6/8
I-53040 Cetona (Siena), Italy
Tel (39) 0578 239 191
Fax (39) 0578 239 099

We’ve all heard the saying, “Champagne isn’t champagne unless it’s from Champagne.” This spectacular wine region is the most northerly of France’s wine regions. Although it is spread over 312 villages, la Champagne comprises only about 2.5% of all French vineyards. Three grape varieties grown here are: Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. On your visit to la Champagne, you’ll most likely find yourself in the charming towns of Reims or Epernay, amidst the many prestigious Champagne houses.
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Varietal:Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation:Israel, Galilee
Style:Red
Price:$26
WOW Rating:90

Observes Jewish wine critic Glenn Verk, “This wine receives 18 months of aging in French oak, and though unfiltered and a bit cloudy, the earthy nose is elegant and complex, though maybe not bone dry.”
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Bordeaux is famous for its wines, and it’s no wonder that it lives up to its reputation as being the most prestigious wine region in the world. Bordeaux produces over ten percent of France’s fine wines. Known mostly for its fabulous dry reds, Bordeaux also produces white wines that are quite tasty. Major vineyards in this region include St. Etephe, Medoc, Pauillac, Saint Julien, Margaux, Sauternes, Saint Emilion, and Pomerol. The city, itself, is quite large, with a population of over half a million. A prime example of 18th century architecture, the center of town is rich with a historic past. While visiting the city, you may want to stop by the Maison Du Vin, 1 Cours 30 Juillet, Tel 05-56-00-22-66, where you can indulge in an introduction to Bordeaux wines with tastings.
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Varietal:Sauvignon Blanc
Appellation:Australia, Adelaide Hills
Style:Dry White
Price:$26
WOW Rating:91

There is lovely passion fruit and melon with earthy herb, all this throughout the nose. Then follows a passionate medley of flavors: crenshaw melon, hints of subtle passion fruit. The Tower Estate Sauvignon Blanc is very dry and very balanced.
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Varietal:Blend
Appellation:California, Mendocino, Yorkville Highlands
Style:Red
Price:$28
WOW Rating:92

“The blend is more Merlot based this vintage, though it traditionally starts out at 50% each of Cabernet and Merlot,” explains founder Edward Wallo. “It changes totally from year to year. Blending is the funnest thing each year.” A sniff reveals dark, earthy fruit aromas. The first sip offers blackberry, dusty plum, a bit of cedar, vanilla, jam and a long mineral finish. “We are one of the twelve original vineyards to be certified organic, since 1986,” says Wallo.
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