New Years Eve (Capodanno) with friends in Montalcino was a special treat!
Here are some photos of a wonderful evening at Querce Bettina Villa and vinyeard with hosts Roberto and Sandra and a group of wonderful Italian friends.
Alberto, Alan e Carolyna in Piazza Popolo Montalcino before dinner to watch the lighting of the bonfire.
The traditional fire is lit in Piazza Popolo for New Years Eve.
Dinner at Roberto's and Sandra's. Among the wine consumed was a fabulous 1958 Barolo. What a treat! 1958 is also the year of birth of a special person we know! Both are outstanding for the age of 52!
Francesco, Roberto and Margaret with the '58 Barolo
Alberto and Barbara having fun in the cucina (kitchen) making polenta.
Barbara, Sandra and Alberto in the cucina. Our menu for the evening was carefully planned and executed by everyone as this is the most special evening of the year for food!! Even more important than Christmas!
It all began with a glass of prosecco or two and of course some freshly shucked oysters from France. Roberto and Alberto shucked them just before we sat down to eat them - impressivo!
Then came the sardines with caramelised onions.
Cuttlefish with an amazing black squid ink sauce (made by Alberto)
then the Baccala (cod) whipped with only olive oil!
then came the sea snails with a pepperoncino sauce....thank you Sandra!
then came the spaghetti handmade by Alberto with black squid ink and fresh seafood inc prawns, vongole, mussels...
Serving of the pasta by Francesco.......it was sooooo delicious!
Alberto's polenta!
then came the octopus with terrine made by Roberto!
then....a beautiful salmon cooked and decorated by Sandra.
Alan e Barbara sharing a joke over dinner and looking forward to dolci...
Roberto overseen by Sandra serving...
and here it is ......Sandra's dolci of mandarin sorbet!
then the ricciarelli dolci - a specialty of Siena - they are filled with an almond marzipan.
homemade jam (marmalata) with shortbread...Alan's favourite!
Even if I close my eyes I know this wine is very, very good...mmmmnnn...a Barolo?
Roberto, Sandra, Margaret e Carolyna taking a little break in between courses...
Is it the New Year?...baci, baci
Francesco e Antonella
No New Year's evening can be concluded without .... Grappa
Allora amici
Fino alla prossima volta
Ciao ciao e baci
Carolyna e Alan
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