Vino bianco

Ieri sera (last night) I had a knock your socks off, Chardonnay.  We met up with some friends in the other Italian class (I’ll explain the classes another time) at The Taste of Monterey for some wine tasting.  I chose to try the Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Flight and here’s how it went:

First the 2009 Muirwood – Zanetta Vinyard Chardonnay  “ Tropical fruit flavors of pear and peach with a creamy oak mouth feel. Vanilla and spice extend through the lingering, viscous finish”  Mio Dio! Stop here; do not pass go, this was fantastico.  I had no interest in trying the rest after just one sip.    But,  I politely went through the rest of the tasting trying to keep an open mind and palate, but nothing came close.  The 2007 J. Lohr – Arroyo Vista Chardonnay, my third tasting, came in second place.  Poor thing, if I had not had the Muirwood I would probably love this one more.  “ Aromas of pear apple and lime custard with flavors of grilled hazelnuts, butter, honey and gun flint that finish with a palate cleansing acidity. “  If you like Cupcake, then you will probably like this one, though it was not oaky.    It was very silky, burroso (resembling butter), yum-o!  I will definitely acquisto a bottle.    

The other wines in the tasting were the 2008 Kali Hart Chardonnay, 2007 Wente Pinot Noir, 2008 Cru Vinyard Montage Pinot Noir, and 2006 Silvestri Pinot Noir.  All central coast wines, of course.  

Mi piace Muirwood!  

Bunga Bunga

The urban word of the day is brought to you by Prime Minister Berlusconi:  http://www.slate.com/id/2274429/


Bunga Bunga Festa - sex party; orgy


Stai andando alla prossima bunga bunga festa?  
Are you going to the next bunga bunga party? 
No, Io voglio andare alla bunga bunga festa ma non posso perché devo studiare l'italiano.  
No, I want to go to the bunga bunga party but I can't because I have to study italian.  


E tu?  And you?
Si o no? Yes or no?
Perché o perché no? Why or why not?

La famiglia

Today I am posting my Italian homework assignment which is to describe my family:

Mia famiglia composta da tre persone: mio marito, mia figlia, e Io.  Il mio marito si chiama Steve.  Lui ha ventinove anni.  La mia figlia si chiama Megan.  Lei ha sette mesi.  La mia figlia e un bambina molto felice.  Io ha uno canne, si chiama Izzy.  

Intro

Buon Giorno!  


As our departure date for Italy approaches, I thought I would start a blog to keep family & friends updated on our italian adventure & immersion.  Steve is finishing up Italian classes at DLI (Defense Language Institute) and will begin all of his testing at the end of the month.  I have been taking a conversational Italian class on Wednesday nights so I can learn the basics and expand my vocabulary from the current list of spaghetti, gelato, & pizza to more useful words & phrases.  At least I know I won't go hungry! 
I am looking forward to this move as an opportunity to learn the language, embrace the culture, and to enjoy having Steve around.  I cannot believe we are so blessed to have received this exchange tour and a break from the deployment rotation.  It's hard to think about being so far from family, but I can't be anything but thankful for this assignment.  
Our estimated departure date is sometime in the beginning of April.  Yes, in true military fashion, we are still waiting for our orders and don't have the details & dates for the move settled.  So those of you planning your vacations at our italian casa, we will probably not be moving into a house/villa/apartment/condo....whatever we find, until probably the end of May.  


Ciao!