La Selezione Del Sindaco, Lamezia Terme, Calabria

Thursday May 24^th

Because off a fire alarm in the terminus at the airport we could not arrive at the airport and we stood still in the train for about 45 minutes. Then we had to run and ware just in time to go on the plane.

Luckily the flight was pleasant and on time. After a nice lunch at Rome airport with a salad of San Daniele ham and real good and plenty Mozzarella di Buffala we continued our trip to Lamezia Terme and arrived on time where the “navetta” waited for us to bring us to the hotel. After a small refreshment we had to go to the meeting where the rules for the tasting sessions ware explained.

Then it was time for a nice diner with the Calabrian Viticulture Presentation of the Consorzio dei Vini “Terre di Cosenza” and ware glad to see our bed for a short night.

Friday May 25^th

After a bus trip of about a good half an hour we arrived at the “Fondazione Terina Lamezia Terme” where we ware welcomed by the local authorities.

At 09:30 the tasting sessions began, 11 teams of 7 judges had to taste around 40 to 45 wines. Sparkling wines and still wines in white, red and sweet with a small break in between, with the discussion about the given points in our group, and curious about the wines of the other groups.

It still amazes me that the Italians put so much sweets on the table, but you get used to it after some time.

Then came lunch, sadly enough, if that should represent the local products, they should think again, a blame on their cooking and the school. But nothing to say for the schools “volunteers”, the boys and girls ware very sharp in serving the wines and the lunch.

Very late in the afternoon we returned to the hotel where we could refresh our self for the next trip to the Cosenza’ Countries and a visit and diner at the “Winery Serracavallo Cosenza”.

Well, the 1h30 bus trip was worth it, very nice settings, marvellous diner and very good wines. Michelin worthy. The owner was very nice to and let us have a taste of his top-wine “Vigna Savuco” made from 100 % magliocco, come on the marked after 18 months in steel, 30 months in barriques and refinement for 12 months in bottle.

Sadly we had to return and ware not in bed before 2 o’clock.

Saturday May 26^th

With small eyes we began the next day tasting. Again 45 wines to taste, and after the lunch which was a little bit better, we left for a trip to the historical centre of Pizzo where they have a speciality for “truffeld” ice cream. Most of us rather came back to the hotel  because it was very nice weather an we wanted to take a dip in the very clear water of the Tyrrhenian sea, but it was not possible. The ice cream was not worth the very long trip, witch meant that we had very little time to prepare us for the next visit to the “Statti Winery” for the “Gala” diner. The winery is very impressive but the wines and diner couldn’t match the evening before. Again a long trip home and a short night.

Sunday May 27^th

After the trip to the tasting sessions where we had our next tasting session, we ware presented with our ‘Attestato Di Participazione” and had our last lunch.

Many had to leave to take their flight home but I was lucky and could stay to leave the next day.

I took some recuperation time and went for a light diner in company of some friends who also ware leaving the next day.

I went to bed early because I had to leave the hotel at 5 o’clock the next morning together with some German friends.

One remark, it is the end of May and there they are not ready for the season, hotels still closed, swimming pools not filled with water, the beach still with rubble on the sand, strange customs in the south.

Again it was a nice time but ware happy to return home, it get’s to you, early mornings, late nights, plenty to eat (and drink).

I hope to see everyone again next year.