12 Comments
User's avatar
Sara Danese's avatar

Beautiful essay!

Also, is the mostarda cremonese piccante (spicy) or just sweet? Never tried the marubini, never even heard of them!

Jason Wilson's avatar

It can be either!

Paul Roberts's avatar

I have an Ital/American friend who seriously cooks.. She is turning 70 next week. I will send this story to her with a promise of a grappa sometime soon.

Nils Schmid's avatar

I loved this piece the first time and I love it even more now. Incidentally, the La Stoppa Trebbiolo was one of the first of those slightly fizzy natural reds I ever had and it, like this essay, made a big impression on me.

Ed de la Paz's avatar

I really, really, really enjoyed this piece, Jason. Thank you for sharing your memories of youth and the roads travelled since. I'm older than you, so if you're "old as fuck", God help me, but we share many of the same loves of Italy and it's rich history and bounty. Thank you for allowing me to take a break from my hectic day to reminisce. Cheers!

Jason Wilson's avatar

Hahah cheers!

Savannah, like Africa's avatar

What a beautiful piece. More content like this, please.

Dan Perlman's avatar

Great story!

The gorgonzola and pear pizza part seems strange, you can find that combination on pizzas in various parts of Italy, though Milan, not all that far from Cremona, seems to be its epicenter. There are probably hundreds of ricettas online from Italian chefs and home cooks that offer their version of it. It's common enough that I have pointed to it as a counter example when Italians object to pineapple, announcing fruit has no place on a pizza.

Elizabeth Krecker's avatar

Those innocent college years when the whole world of wine was yours to explore and enjoy!

Nick Mautone's avatar

wonderful stories. heart warming!