Wine and Olives

I have come across a great Tuscan proverb that says: 'where olives can't grow, a great wine is impossible to make'. Olives and vines both have an ancient history of cultivation and respond to being grown with love and care.  This allows the terroir (the alchemy of plant, environment and soil) to influence the resulting oil and wine.  Visit the Olive Picking Video Diaries to see two wineries one in Portugal and one in California, both growing olives for extra virgin olive oil.

It has to be healthy - it contains figs!

I have just sampled a delicious taste of Italy ..

 

 

Imagine a log of wonderful things: dried honeyed figs, almonds, walnuts, dates, pistachios, bitter chocolate, brandy, strega and more ... dusted in icing sugar, wrapped in rice paper and served sliced into small sublime rounds.

Labelled as 'frustringo' I found 'frustingolo' mentioned on the internet - a traditional dolci from Le Marche, but their version is baked unlike here where the ingredients are just mixed together and left somewhere cool for a month to mature (it would be brilliant to make and serve alongside Limoncello as both take about the same waiting time).

A big thank you to my sister who introduced me to this delight and to her friend Jack who lovingly made it - grazie mille!

1/1/11





HAPPY NEW YEAR

1.1.11

What a special date!  I would like to wish everyone a very happy and successful 2011. May all your hopes come true.

A New Year Resolution

Olives Against A Blue Sky by OlivePicking

If, like me, you are thinking of making small changes to become more eco-conscious in 2011 how about starting off by buying a bag to put your shopping in (and so avoiding all those plastic carriers).  This great bag can be rolled up and popped into your pocket ready for use.  You can also customise it at no additional cost - adding your own name or slogan.  Happy Shopping!

Season's Greetings

With very best wishes from a cold and snow covered UK.

An Olive Picking Advent Calendar

It is now December and so we begin the Christmas countdown.  I have created an online Olive Picking Advent Calendar which I hope you will enjoy.

Please note our advent calendar was only available during December - but why not visit www.OlivePicking.com and try your hand at our quiz instead.