60% of the olive oil in Italy comes from Puglia. This is a typical tree---look at the trunk, it's been here a while! A visit to this beautiful olive oil producer was definitely an education, including an olive oil tasting.
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| We arrived just in time to see the oil being pressed from these olives |
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| the original wheels |
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| Into the more modern press |
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| filling the stainless steel containers |
Sadly, the olive trees here in Puglia have been infected by a bacteria, that is killing many of the trees. European Union regulations require strict controls on what is used to combat disease in trees. To date, there is no effective treatment and many of the trees are dying.
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| Our next stop is a winery to taste the local wines of the region. |
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| Primitivo Rose |
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| a lovely white |
We moved on from the olive groves to this vineyard and did a wine tasting. Puglia is most famous for its Primitivo, or Zinfandel. Its whites can be Verdeca, Bombino Bianco, or Greco Bianco. Whites are quite minerally but definitely refreshing. Other reds would be Negroamaro or Nero di Troia. Certainly, there will be other grape varieties, but many producers have limited production, and the greater number of export bottles you will see in your local wine shops will be either Primitive and Verdeca. With climate change rearing its ugly head, many vintners are turning to other grapes that can better tolerate the heat and the salty climate here. Next up, we headed to watch mozzarella being made, old school style.
We were fortunate enough to watch a master at work, and you can tell from the video that he loves what he does. He's making the mozzarella into a cute little mouse, or topolino. We were served a few types of cheese, fresh, and aged, all delicious. The only ingredients are milk, sometimes a bit of salt, and rennet. Can't get any more fresh than that.
After this repast, we were off to lunch. There is always food! Ciao for now.
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