Wine prices: what you get for what you pay
What’s the difference between a bottle of wine priced at $3.95 and one that sells for $39,000? The factors that determine the price of wine are varied, volatile, and vague. Here’s an inside look at what you’re getting for your money. At a wine auction in France, a bottle of vintage Château Lafite Rothschild Burgundy is sold to the highest bidder fo...
"The Godfather," 50 years ago Oscar for Best Picture
The masterpiece directed by Francis Ford Coppola won three statuettes at the 45th Academy Awards on March 27, 1973. It has remained in history the absence at the ceremony of Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, with the latter rejecting the award and sending Apache-born American actress and activist Yaqui Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. It has been 50...
Atalanta & De Medici Announce New Exclusive Partnership With Iconic Cipriani Food
Atalanta Corporation is pleased to announce a new partnership with Cipriani Food as its exclusive importer for the United States. De Medici, a division of Atalanta, will oversee the implementation and distribution of Cipriani Food, a division of the legendary four-generation hospitality family that opened Harry’s Bar in Venice in 1931 and has since...
25 Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy (With Maps, Travel Info, and Practical Tips)
This is a place where you can do lots and see lots even within the span of a day. As the lake is quite big though, it’s important that you know in advance exactly what you want to focus on during your visit. This could be enjoyable moments spent in picturesque lakefront towns, hikes in lush nature, or explorations of historic sights – from medieval...
Rays of Light
The idiom “Ray of Light” doesn’t just refer to an expression of hope in challenging times; it’s also the title of singer Madonna’s last big album, which took home a Grammy Award in 1998. I bring this up in defense of the rather brutal beating she took in the press at this year’s Grammy ceremony on her distorted facial features. Madonna said it was...
Quentin Tarantino turns 60
He is considered one of the masters of cinema, capable of combining different styles and creating one of his own, unique and unmistakable. He is Quentin Tarantino, who turns 60 years old today - March 27, 2023. The director, screenwriter, actor and producer was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1963 and grew up in Los Angeles. As he recounts in the...
Gorgonzola PDO exports exceeded two million wheels in 2022
Gorgonzola PDO cheese exports grew by +1.9% in 2022, equal to 25,191 tons in volume and 2,099,250 wheels. The increase in value was about €178M euros (+16.4 percent over 2021). Of the more than five million 48,000 wheels of Gorgonzola produced in 2022, about 40 percent was absorbed by foreign markets. Last year, Italy’s most famous blue cheese reac...
Club owner and chef devoted to preserving way of life in South Philly
Joey Baldino feels blessed to be running the Palizzi Social Club, which since 1918 has been preserving, sharing and promoting Italian culture in South Philadelphia. The founders – all tracing their heritage to the Abruzzese village of Vasto – “wanted to become Americans and assimilate into our culture, but they wanted to keep their traditions, ethn...
What Happened at the Circus Maximus?
The Circus Maximus was one of ancient Rome’s most iconic structures – a massive race track built for the Roman favorite past time – chariot racing. It was also among the most impressive examples of ancient engineering and architecture. The grand stadium was the largest in the Roman world and could accommodate over 150,000 spectators, while the more...
48 Hours in Varese
With an enchanting old town, unmatched natural beauty and plenty to explore, Varese and its surroundings are one of Lombardy’s best-kept secrets. Only one hour’s drive from Milan and a stone’s throw from Malpensa airport, this lovely town at the foot of the Alps sits quietly in the embrace of beautiful lakes, verdant valleys and monumental parks –...
The Italian Chicks Comedy Show in New Jersey
Saturday April 22, Kathedral Event Center, 499 S. Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, N.J. Get ready for The Italian Chicks Comedy Show. Comedians include Maryann “Boom Boom” Maisano, a singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, writer, and actor. She was the winner of the New York City Song-writers Festival. Her original song “City of Light,” was recorded by...
Next Time You're In Rome, Visit The Ancient Temple Of Vesta Where Sacred Eternal Flame Was Kept
The Eternal City ended up not being so eternal, and the eternal flame of Rome did go out. One of the best places to learn about the religion of Rome is the Temple of Vestal. At the time, it was one of the most sacred and spiritual places on earth. It is one of the key places to learn what life in ancient Rome was like. To the Ancient Romans, the Ve...