Rustic Bites & Wine Nights

The very first time I holidayed in Italy, in fact on the very first full day at my vacation spot I had an experience that set the tone for my love of Italy and of the people of the country.

We had booked a holiday at a small, family-run hotel in Sorrento and arrived on the Saturday afternoon, 29th June 2002. The next day would be the World Cup Final. In the run up to the World Cup I had been hoping for Italy to get to the final because I imagined the experience of being in Italy to watch Italy in the final would be incredible.

Sadly that was not to be and with England being knocked out in the quarter finals the winner of the World Cup would either be Germany or Brazil. There were several German guests staying at the hotel too. The England v Germany rivalry is well known and we certainly didn’t want to watch with the Germans…especially if they won. That would be frankly unbearable.

The family that run the hotel said that we could watch in the main dining area where there was a TV (the Germans were watching on a TV near the Pool). The Italian family did say that they would be eating their lunch while we watched if we didn’t mind. Of course we didn’t want to inconvenience them but the Italians wanted a Brazil win and so did we so we accepted the offer.

The family started their meal in the build up to the game. The Grandfather of the family at the end of a long table and their sons, daughters, partners, grandchildren all arrived and filled in spots along the table. I have never watched…or eventually been involved in, a meal experience like it.

I watched plates and dishes brought out and make their way up and down the table to the delight of the members of the family. They talked, laughed and ate and although I couldn’t understand a word of what was being said the overwhelming joy and love of family was palpable.

Eventually the Grandmother….whose only word of English apparently was “Eat!” started to bring the dishes to our table and instructed us to join in and share their food with them. They topped up our glasses with homemade wine and shared every dish with us over the course of the next couple of hours.

This experience has stayed with me for 23 years and I can still see the Grandmother’s face and the joy that she got from sharing with us.

We travelled back to that hotel every year for 8 years and 2 years ago I went back again to see them all. I was treated like a long lost member of the family just as I had been welcomed into their family for that meal all those years previously.

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Credits:

8f8 – So’L’Estate – Oliver LI: 11
8f8 – So’l’Estate – Villa Sol LI: 227
27_8f8 – The Sweetest Spot – Olive Bites LI: 2

Apple Fall Cheeseboard LI: 1
Apple Fall Chester Outdoor Dining Chair LI: 2
Apple Fall Lemon Soiree – Lemon & Olives Bowl LI: 1
Apple Fall Figs in Bowl – Wood LI: 1
Apple Fall Chester Outdoor Dining Table LI: 3
Apple Fall Cheese & Apple LI: 1
West Village Champagne & Merlot LI: 1
Apple Fall Au Pain – Sourbread Baguette LI: 2
West Village Seeded Bread & Tomatoes LI: 1
Apple Fall Autumn Bread & Cheeseboard LI: 1

07 Fancy Decor: Etienne Cheese Dome LI: 2

KraftWork Magnolia . Nuts Bowl LI: 1

{moss&mink} Fall Cheese Board LI: 2

*Nutmeg. Midsummer Brunch Bread Basket LI: 7
*Nutmeg. Fresh Delivery Ruccola LI: 1
*Nutmeg. Fresh Delivery Butter LI: 1
*Nutmeg. Midsummer Laze Lemon Plate LI: 2
*Nutmeg. Memories of Summer Fig LI: 1
*Nutmeg. Fresh Delivery Baguettes LI: 2
*Nutmeg. Orchard Harvest Grapes LI: 6
*Nutmeg.. Mint Iced Tea Tray LI: 2
*Nutmeg. Grandma’s Cottage Fresh Bread LI: 3
*Nutmeg. Mint Iced Tea Pitcher LI: 1
*Nutmeg. Fresh Delivery Cutlery LI: 1
*Nutmeg.Farmhouse Kitchen Olive Oil LI: 1

..::THOR::.. Dusty Wine Bottle LI: 1
..::THOR::.. Italian Date Wine Holder LI: 1

{wn} Harvest Cheese Board LI: 1

[S.S] Tuscan Tomatos (Decor)
[S.S] Tuscan Olives (Decor)

[Cinoe] Garden Dinner – Cheese and Orange Salad

(Luc.) Royal Plums & Cheese Platter (BENTO Server)

Vitali’s Merlot