The invitation from Grape Expectations for our Italian Food Wine and Travel group starts like this: Climate change is something that is constant in our society by now and we need to find ways to take action and combat it as far as possible. Climate change is, of course, also a big issue in viticulture and in winemaking. In the Italian Food, Wine, and Travel writers’ group we will look further into this during September. In fact, the theme will be Sustainability to Combat Climate Change in the Wine World.
Check here for other posts on Italy's sustainability and wines that are doing what they can to adjust to the changes.
Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla takes inspiration from Siciliy in Pasta alla Norma + Tasca d'Almerita Lamuri Nero d'Avola Sicilia 2016
Terri from Our Good Life shares the article Che Fico: A Wine that Supports Sustainability in Italy
Linda from My Full Wine Glass heads to Alto Adige with Alois Lageder - Driven to create wines in harmony with nature
Gwendolyn from Wine Predator shares Interview: Antonella Manuli’s and Lorenzo Corino’s patented method + wines, lasagna, and dogs #ItalianFWT
Lynn from Savor the Harvest heads to Franciacorta with How the Ricci Curbastro Estate In Franciacorta Tackles the Sustainability Question
Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles explores the question Climate Change, Finding Sustainable Italian Wines and Why you should Care #ItalianFWT
Susannah from Avvinare tells us more about Sicily with Tasca d'Amerita, A Longstanding Focus on Sustainability
Nicole from Somm’s Table looks closer at A Sustainable Sampler Pack with Umani Ronchi
Jennifer from Vino Travels shares VIVA Sustainability at the Forefront with Michele Chiarlo
Then me at Grapevine Adventures I will talk about Torre Bisenzio where Authenticity And Quality Is All About Sustainability
Climate change is affecting everyone, everywhere. I know there are people who don't believe it exists, but the people closest to the land, our farmers, tell us that it is, indeed, happening and at a rapid rate. I wanted to share with you what is being done in Italy to help with climate change in our vineyards.
In 2018, it was reported by Wine Enthusiast that Italy was the world leader in terms of a percentage of surface area dedicated to organic grapes. In order to receive the organic wine logo, wineries must follow a series of regulations that include a ban on synthetic chemicals and GMOs. No herbicides can be used so farmers must let the grass grow between the rows or turn the soil mechanically. A copper-sulfur mix is used to fight fungal diseases.
I chose this Che Fico Pinot Grigio because I happen to enjoy a good Pinot Grigio, and two because I was able to purchase it from my neighbor who sells wine for Scout and Cellar. This company promotes wineries who go through two rounds of independent lab testing to guarantee that it's free of yucky stuff like synthetic pesticides and chemical additives and has fewer than 100ppm of total sulfites. They also evaluate and review farming and production practices to confirm that they are, in fact, Clean-Crafted.
This is important in Italy as they are having more record-breaking high-temperature days, which winemakers are saying are burning the grapes. Most have come up with some ways of shading the grapes, but are not optimistic that it is a long term solution.
The wine I chose for this post is called Che Fico Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region in Northern Italy. It is a young wine with fresh flavors of apple and pear, crisp on the tongue, and perfect for the fish we had for dinner. We scored some super fresh swordfish steaks and served them with young asparagus spears and a lovely seasonal roasted tomato side dish that I will share the recipe later on. It was a perfect end-of-summer dish.
Yield: 4
Roasted Tomato "Jam"
Summer's last tomatoes roasted with garlic until mashable and delicious.
Prep time: 6 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 36 Min
Ingredients:
- 1 pt heirloom cherry-sized tomatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 5 cloves of garlic, smashed
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450.
- Pour tomatoes on a baking sheet.
- Pour on olive oil over the tomatoes.
- Add garlic cloves, peeled and smashed.
- Salt and pepper liberally.
- Roast 30 minutes (check every 10 minutes) checking for that perfect amount of caramelization.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Calories
45.15Fat (grams)
3.79Sat. Fat (grams)
0.58Carbs (grams)
3.53Fiber (grams)
1.33Net carbs
2.20Sugar (grams)
1.14Protein (grams)
0.51Sodium (milligrams)
82.88Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
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ReplyDeleteChe Fico Pinot Grigio from the description sounds like a very good wine which will compliment many dishes.I believe climate change is real and I'm happy that there are people like these, who are doing their part to help profer a solution and I'll urge each and everyone of us to equally do our part.
ReplyDeleteThat recipe looks really good. I've never had it before. The wine sounds amazing as well. I do love a good wine.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky that you have a neighbor that sources organic wines! Food look great too!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this wine but I will take your word for it that the Che fico wine is good. Thanks for the meal recipes, it looks really tasty
ReplyDeleteThat's so great that they are doing work to impact climate change. It is a very real, worrying thing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI need to try and find this wine to try and the tomato jam sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe do believe that climate change exists. I don't understand why others don't believe it. Anyway, that roasted tomato jam looks good. -LYNNDEE
ReplyDeleteIt's so great that I discover so many new fabulous wines with your posts. This Che Fico Pinot grigio is a must try one!
ReplyDeleteI love a good Pinot Grigio too Terri! Be informational to hear more about Scout and Cellar to learn more about how they're working with the wineries and independent reviewers.
ReplyDeleteI have never been a huge drinker. But I used to enjoy a glass of Mascoto. I liked the sweetness and it didn't care for dry wines.
ReplyDeleteTough year for Italian wine producers! That's why we need to promote sustainable efforts and source wine from retailers who care, too.
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear about companies like Scout and Cellar doing the leg work to make purchasing less confusing for consumers. It's tough to navigate these topics even for the most savvy wine buyer.
ReplyDeleteLove your pairing of the Pinot grigio wine with swordfish. :-) Great sum up of the importance of sustainable winemaking.
ReplyDeleteOn the first work out the stars of your present drinking propensities and on the second work out the cons.malta drink benefits
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ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
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