Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste a red wine that was recently added to our collection, Monacello Matera DOC Primitivo  ($26.99) from the Tenuta Parco dei Monaci, in Matera, Basilicata, in the heel of Italy’s boot. Before I discovered Italian wines many years ago, I was fond of the Ravenswood winery’s Zinfandel but I am even more pleased with its Italian cousin, Primitivo.  

Last year, Emily attended Vinitaly, the largest and most prestigious international wine and spirits exhibition held in Verona, Italy. This wine was one of several she tasted and selected for Piazza. The Tenuta Parco dei Monaci (Monks’ Park Estate) is an ancient estate south of Matera, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The name of the winery derives from the estate’s being donated to Benedictine monks in 1532. The abstract design of the label was inspired by the four arches along the front of the winery building that is nestled against the hills and the neat rows of its vineyard.

In the second half of the 18th century, the monks planted a vineyard of Primitivo grapes that soon expanded its borders down from the hills to the coast of the Gulf of Taranto. In 2005, the Matera DOC regulation was bestowed upon the area and the future of this great grape from the past was ensured. 

Third-generation winemakers Rosa Padula and Matteo Trabacca now manage the estate, and their three children will be its next stewards.

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci’s Monacello, (little monk), is produced from 100% Primitivo grapes, which makes it a well structured wine with intense aromas of ripe fruit, silky and rich with notes of plum, spices and my fave ingredient, dark chocolate! Pair with grilled meats, barbecue, dishes with caramelized onions and Piazza’s sharp cheeses. 

This wine’s “NEW” decal has already enticed many of you to try it but if you have not yet tasted it, come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 to taste this delicious Primitivo!

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N. Washington, suite 23, Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market we will taste a new wine we are considering for our collection, the Il Nero di 2020 Casanova IGT ($22.25) from the Sassontino vineyard of the La Spinetta winery in Terricciola,Toscana. 

Il Nero di 2020 Casanova IGT from the Sassontino vineyard of the La Spinetta winery in Terricciola,Toscana.

Some of you are already familiar with this winery’s Rosato that has become my fave Rose’, that also has the distinctive label of a rhinoceros depicted in a print by Durer in 1515. 

Rivetti children

The story of Spinetta began in the early 1960’s with Giuseppe (Pin) Rivetti and his wife, Lidia, who were both farmers. Farming soon became winemaking and the second generation of the four Rivetti children, Bruno, Giorgio, Giovanna and Carla, assumed management of the winery with the first production of Moscatos in 1977, which became some of the first single-cru Moscatos to be produced in Italy. They quickly built upon their initial success and soon the focus was red grapes, culminating in 1989’s Barbera Ca di Pian, followed by Pin, in honor of the family patriarch. In 2001, Toscana beckoned and they created a “new winery”, Casanova della Spinetta with two vineyards; the Sassontino vineyard is devoted to Sangiovese. 

Terricciola vineyard

Oceanic sediments are present in the soil of Sassontino which impart great richness and elegance to the wine. Giorgio Rivetti believes the elegance of their Sangiovese reminds him of  the floral scents and grace of a great Nebbiolo.  

The Il Nero di Casanova is the most representative wine from the Casanova estate.  “Nero” derives from “vino nero”, which was the original name of Tuscan red wines.  On the nose it has hints of dark fruits-blackberries, blueberries, and cherries; its taste is full bodied, tannins are velvety, with great acidity for a great finish. 

With our low temperatures, this weekend calls for a Sangiovese and dishes such as grilled meats, veal ragu, cured sausages, tomato-based pasta sauces, mushroom risotto, and Gorgonzola cheese.  

Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 (hours may depend upon the weather) for this outstanding Sangiovese!

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is an ttalian specialty grocery offering sandwiches, panini, and wine, plus cheese boards classes. Located in: Talbot Town Shopping Center Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti-Buon Anno-Happy New Year!

Colle Ticchio Cesanese Del Piglio DOCG ($15.99) from the Corte dei Papi (Court of the Popes) winery in Frosinone, Lazio

For our first tasting in the new year, we will taste a new red wine we are considering for our collection, the Colle Ticchio Cesanese Del Piglio DOCG ($15.99) from the Corte dei Papi (Court of the Popes) winery in Frosinone, Lazio. Colle Ticchio is one of three colli (hills) where the vineyards are located. The estate contains approximately 25 hectares in the heart of the Cesanese del Piglio production area. The winery’s focus is on four indigenous grapes of Lazio including the Cesanese grape. The label’s logo was inspired by, and is an abstract interpretation of,  the mosaic floor of the Cathedral of Anagni, created by Roman artisans in the 12th century who were known for the beauty of their work.

Corte dei Papi winery

 As an architect, I was intrigued by the picture of their winery with its barrel vault roof and exterior walls of local stone. This is a great example of adaptive reuse, since the building’s original use was a shelter for sheep-if the winery were interested in obtaining LEED certification for their building, they would certainly achieve LEED Platinum, the highest designation! 

The winery’s organic cultivation with state of the art machinery and procedures, including using recycled materials in their packaging, result in a minimum environmental impact. 

Colle Ticchio is 100% Cesanese del Piglio grape which imparts notes of blackberry, dark cherry and plum, medium body, balanced, light tannins and a long, rich finish. Pair with pork ribs, lamb chops, or sausage with polenta

Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 for a taste and cast your vote for keeping it in Piazza’s collection.

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is an Italian specialty grocery offering sandwiches, panini, and wine, plus cheese boards classes. It is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Talbot County Garden Club invites you to a practical lecture by Native Bee, Bumblebee and Wildlife Advocate SAM DROEGE of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Droege’s talk is titled “Helping Native Bees in Talbot County: It’s Easier Than You Think!” His presentation takes place at the Talbot County Free Library in Easton on Tuesday, January 28 beginning at 11 am as part of the garden club’s complimentary 2025 Winter Lecture Series.

According to Droege, the bee list for Talbot County includes 187 different species of bees. New ones are discovered each year. Some are found in Easton, others in areas like the Conservation Park in Oxford, on Poplar Island, along roadsides, and on private properties. What ties these sites together are healthy populations of native flowers. Some are planted; others are simply allowed to grow. Droege will discuss how property owners, groups and municipalities can support these bees and tell some fascinating stories about collecting bees in Talbot County.

Having spent his career at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center, Droege has become expert in developing, designing and evaluating wildlife inventory programs. His team is currently inventorying and monitoring native bees, and developing tools, techniques and manuals, plus a bumblebee floral survey for citizens with online identification guides at www.discoverlife.org

The garden club’s 2025 Winter Lecture Series continues on Tuesday, February 25 with a presentation by SAMANTHA NESTORY, engagement manager at Stoneleigh, a natural garden in Villanova, Pa. Nestory will offer insights and tips for creating a modern garden that supports wildlife through native plants and sustainable landscape practices.

Questions about these programs should be directed to: [email protected]

About the Talbot County Garden Club

The Talbot County Garden Club is known for its “good and green works” that benefit the Talbot County community. The club was established in 1917 to enhance the natural beauty of the local environment by sharing knowledge of gardening, maintaining civic gardens, supporting civic greening projects, encouraging the conservation of natural resources, and fostering the art of flower arranging. Noteworthy projects include grounds maintenance at the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot County Free Library (Easton), and the Fountain and Children’s Gardens in Idlewild Park; greenery installations for Easton’s Rail Trail and U.S. Post Office; plus an ever-growing number of outreach activities. There are currently 120 active, associate and honorary members.   

Ciao Tutti!

As the holiday song says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” for it is the weekend at Piazza Italian Market that we offer our suggestions for wines to accompany your holiday feasts, especially our Christmas entrees of Bone-in Beef Rib Eye Roast or Grilled Shrimp with Marinated Fennel & Peppers over Polenta. You may not have as many guests at your table as this picture, but I couldn’t resist this fab graphic!

Our holiday trio includes the Il Rose’ di Casanova IGT from the La Spinetta winery in Terricciola, Toscana; the Ciacci di Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG from the Ciacci di Piccolomini d’Aragona winery in Montalcino, Toscana  and the “La Contessa”  from the Manincor winery in Terlano, Alto Adige. Both the Il Rose’ Di Casanova and the “La Contessa” have been featured in past weekly tastings and have become customer favorites. Recently, the Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Rosso di Montalcino sold out so I have no doubt their Brunello di Montalcino will be even more popular! 

Il Rose’ di Casanova IGT

Il Rose’ di Casanova IGT: The eye-catching label of the Il Rose’ di Casanova features a Durer print since the founder of the winery was an admirer of Durer’s work who created the print in 1515. This has become my “still” rose’ as Scarpetta’s Timido (whose label is a pig’s head in profile) has become my rose’ vino spumante. This is the only Rose’ in the winery’s portfolio and it is 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile. I like its intense aroma, floral and fruity bouquet with hints of citrus-wonderful as a gathering wine for your holiday celebration or to make any gathering an occasion. This would also be a great gift for the art lovers on your Christmas list!

Ciacci Brunello

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG: My choice for Christmas is this Brunello DOCG, where a special grape clone called Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello is exclusively grown. The DOCG designation means the wine has been aged two years in oak and three additional years. In 2011, my sister Carol and I wound our way around Montalcino’s hill to reach the Castello at the top that offered breathtaking vistas of the Tuscan hills. The wine was exceptional too-how could one resist its being fruit forward, hints of berry fruits, notes of delicate spices, soft tannins and long aftertaste? The perfect pairing for Piazza’s Christmas menus entrée of Bone-in Beef Rib Eye or your fave red meat entrée.(Let the bottle rest in a horizontal position and open one hour prior to serving)

“la Contessa” IGT

“la Contessa” IGT: From the northernmost region of Italy, the winery’s motto is “hand in heart”; the hand works the soil, the grapes grow in heart of their vineyard and the crown signifies that their wine is made from grapes from their old vineyards. “la Contessa”  is a blend of 57% Pinot Blanc, 26% Chardonnay and 17% Sauvignon Blanc that is another perfect trio. Aromatics of apple and sage with a pink grapefruit finish make this a great pairing for Piazza’ s Christmas menu’s Grilled Shrimp with Marinated Fennel & Peppers over Polenta, or for a first course of crab cakes for your Christmas dinner. 

I hope you can join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 to taste these  outstanding wines. Grazie Mille for your support of Piazza’s weekly wine tasting and I have so  enjoyed getting to know all of you and chatting about wine!

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601. 

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend we will taste a new wine to our collection, the Pietraluna IGP $14.75) from the Agricola Felline in Manduria, Puglia. 

Agricola Felline’s story began with Gregorio Perrucci, who was born into a family of farm laborers. He became an expert grafter (of fruit trees, not dishonest activities) for the noble families in Manduria. He returned unharmed from WWII and after the Agrarian Reform Act mandated that noble families must convey much of their land to the peasants who had worked the land for generations, Perrucci realized his dream of having his own vineyard.

Gregorio became a pioneer in more ways than one. He was the first champion of Puglia’s indigenous grape, Primitivo, and he was the first to undertake studying Puglia’s many different soils of white, black, and red  earth and also sand to better understand how to his grapes could best thrive.

The Fellini Farm began operating in 1996  and a year later Gregory Perrucci founded the Accademia dei Racemi project, with the goal of identifying and bringing Puglia’s indigenous grapes to market. Now in the third generation of  the family Perrucci’s management, there is new winery and tasting room. 

Felline’s Pietraluna (Moonstone) IGP is 100% negroamaro grape.  Even though this translates as “little black bitter one”, I love its taste of blackberry and plum and its medium body. If you like Syrah, this one’s for you. Pair with Piazza’s pasta with red sauce, burgers or pizza with black olives. 

Come join me on Friday from noon to 5:45 and Saturday from noon to 4:45 in Piazza’s “mini tasting room”.

Cin Cin, 

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located in Talbot Town Shopping Center, at the intersection of Harrison Street and North Washington Street in historic downtown Easton.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.