After talking about wine, sipping it, spitting it and taking notes for hours on Wednesday during Vino 2010, the Friuli Tasting Dinner gave us the opportunity to put our pens to rest.
We had a chance to sample a small number of wines from the region.
Upstairs at Le Cirque only a glass wall stood between us and bottles of Chateau Petrus.
The regional team (Chamber of Commerce of Udine) was inspired in bringing along local chefs.
Teresa Covaceuszach of Sale E Pepe was the true revelation.
Looking at her putting the final touch to one of her signature dishes, Buckwheat polenta with salted and riped ricotta, Šeuka apple and horseradish, was seeing the artist at work.
Steaming aromas coming up from the plate were thrilling.
Her (fried) Risolles (small balls) of Pearl Barley served in Pinto bean puree were not as tantalizing but still great.
I was told that her restaurant located in Stregna (Valley of Natisone) is a bit out of the way.
Thanks to Friuli Via Del Sapori a guide to restaurants from the area, I found a few more facts about Sale E Pepe.
They call "the valley of the Natisone (a river) one of the natural gems of Friuli, a real corner of paradise" and tell us that "Teresa Covaceuszach's and Franco Simoncig's passion and love of the area brought about Sale e Pepe in 1987."
While Teresa presides over the kitchen, Franco helps customers find the perfect wine pairing.
Friuli via del Sapori quotes a price per person (without wine or beverages) of 28 Euros.
To get to Stregna situated 400 meters above sea level they note that you drive up through the woods and countryside which makes for a very picturesque ride as you can see below.
Slovenian is commonly spoken in this part of Friuli.
A meal worth the effort.
(* photo of buckwheat polenta courstesy of Friuli via del Sapori)
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