The generation of Italians who love Americans as World War II liberators is dying off. For younger people, feelings are muddled by the war in Iraq and the Coca-Cola corporate homogenization of the world.
But Luigi Capollini, the owner of Castello Verrazzano, has missed the memo. Luigi's father bought the castle and its vineyards in the 1950s after the previous family (allies of the fascists) were disgraced. Luigi feels a unique connection to America. His father made his fortune importing coffee from Brazil. And the Capollinis have lined their walls with artwork and mementos of the famous Italian explorer and the New York bridge named after him. (Unfortunately, Verrazzano was eaten by cannibals in the Bahamas on his third trip to the New World.)
This weekend, we got the private tour of the fortress and cellars--where they raise their own wild boars and age proscuitto and balsamico--and a lunch of tagliatelle with Cinghiale (wild boar) sauce and guinea fowl with Luigi and his family.
Oh--they also make a great, affordable Chianti Classico riserva.
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