- Details
- Written by Nick Breeze Nick Breeze
- Published: 18 November 2012 18 November 2012
Leather and eucalyptus on the nose with herbaceous landscapes materialising in my mind…
Non-physical travelling to Italy has been the biggest pleasure of this past week. On Monday night I was the guest of my friend Andy, a distinguished editor of TV, film and documentary productions, to a screening of his new docu-movie-3d thingy-ma-jiggy in the heart of London's Westend in Leicester Square.
The film was in cutting edge 3D, crafted together from Leonardo da Vinci's Codexes. A codex is an ancient manuscript or in this case, more specifically, a projection of the ideas of one of histories greatest geniuses. Da Vinci exudes genius from every pore, so it was hard not to expect great things.
What was totally surprising is the capability of the 3D medium to bring to life foreign landscapes, detailed ideas and the machinations of a man who lived so long ago but, as he intended, left a mark on history that has touched millions of people. There will be more intelligent uses of this technology so watch out for it and if you hear talk of Da Vinci being seen in 3D with a Scottish accent, pick-up your pencil and take notes of the picture house!
The second experience of transportation this week is to a more southerly part of Italy located about the heel called Puglia. I am seduced by this part of Italy despite having never been there. That is of course until this evening when I floated away out of the window, gliding in a cloud of euphoria towards the Mediterranean over Capri looking North to the Bay of Naples, scratching my bottom on the church spires in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast, into the darkness of the mainland until I reached Foggia and taking instruction upon the coast, turned right to Bari (A certain amount of navigability is required or I'd end up in Albania in fancy dress with bygone Lord Byron!).
Once here I taste the air of ancient dry volcanic rocks gently covered in herbs that face down the vines growing out of the landscape. These vines (the bottle tells me) have been tended for over five generations. They taste mature and nurtured, loved and hospitable. The nose is complex with aromas of leather and dark cherry. Whilst tasting I have smell of lamb roasting in the background giving credence to my experience. The cherries come alive with other dark fruits. The wine is big but not too big. It opens its doors carefully but not begrudgingly.
It's a good wine and for fifteen pounds it is a good trip.
Many thanks Filippo Petrera or "il Fatalone" - the originator of this fine growing tradition.
Fatalone, Gioia Del Colle, Primitivo, 2008, Puglia, Italy.
I bought from www.thegoodwineshop.co.uk but I am sure it for sale in other places if you Google it!
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