There are definitely worse ways to spend a rainy Saturday morning: what a wonderful private tour and tasting we had by Joska, the owner of the family-run Biondelli Franciacorta winery. Thanks so much to Lara Mol, of wijnkoperij La Bordelaise wijnen in Leiden, who arranged the appointment with Joska for us.
We arrived at the Biondelli winery at 10 o'clock sharp as communicated by email. It was raining, but who cares. Joska received us and took us to the vineyards and explained a lot about his method of making ecological franciacorta wine.
Joska is a very analytical and structured person. He does all the work himself: marketing, sales, bookkeeping, working in the vineyards, etc.
Busy guy he is. We were super happy he made time to receive us.
We tasted the various Biondelli Franciacorta wines and Joska explained about their differences, his ecological method of producing, showed us the wine press, etc. He even produces his own 'sugar', which is added to the wines, coz he doesn't wish to use industrial sugar.
He has outspoken principles and ideas about making food and wines: why should you keep wine drinkable for 10 years by adding sulphite every 3 months? Nobody expects hamburgers to be eatable for 10 years, do they?
After 2 agreeable hours of pleasant and interesting conversation we left with a bottle of red wine which Joska drinks always with his father and a box of the Biondelli special brand franciacorta 'Premiere Dame'.
We had a lovely lunch in Due Colombre in Borgo Antico, a Michelin star restaurant which Joska had advised us. It was superb! We both had the Due Colombre Classics menu.
we started with a Franciacorta wine of course
loved the home made tagliatelle (bottom left picture)The Menu:
- Purple Potato...2016
- Lake Iseo Char Wafer, Flowers and Sprouts
- Home Made Tagliatelle, “12 Hours” Rabbit Ragout, Rosemary Oil, Crispy Parmesan Cheese (which was a recipe of the chef's mother)
- The Due Colombe Oil Beef with Polenta
- Acacia Honey Parfait, Caramelized Hazelnuts, Extra Virgin Sebino Olive Oil (surprising how olive oil poured over a dessert fits)
After our sumptuous lunch we drove around the Iseo lake, where it was already busy. One can imagine how crowded this area will be in summer time.
We took a windy road through the mountains which took us quite some time to get back to the highway.
lake Iseo
In the evening we strolled along the river to the Castelvecchio and afterwards had drinks at 'our bar'; Zen lounge cafe. There was a 'silent party' organized on the square. Fun all these coloured headphones.
silent party
Tomorrow we will leave Verona and go to Piemonte, the area of Barolo.
To be continued.
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