Did you know that in the late 14th century, demand for Bordeaux “Clairet” had become so strong, that the wine fleet sailed twice a year, with England taking around 80% of the Bordelais exports. (“Clairet” was the name given to a pink wine, the grapes for which were picked very early...
Francesco Liberati wrote his Il perfetto maestro di casa in 1670 within which details the hierarchical structure of an affluent household and provides details of the clearly delineated responsibilities of the serving members of that household. Little is known of Liberati but he did serve a number of cardinals, including Cardinal Bichi of...
Here is a little piece by Lawrence Durrell from his wonderful book Reflections on a Marine Venus – A Companion to the Landscape of Rhodes, first published in 1953. Having visited Rhodes in late August which is the time he is describing here, the scene painted here is clear...
Here is a little historical story for you…. The magnificent Château de Vaux Le Vicomte in Maincy France is the largest private château in France today owned by the Sommier family, who purchased the estate in 1875. It is now a dazzling site to see and for garden lovers it is...
This is another painting by Paolo Veronese entitled the Marriage at Cana (1563) and it is nothing short of an extraordinary and breathtaking piece of art. Firstly, it measures 677 x 994 cm so any photographic depiction of it fails quite miserably to do it justice – it really just does...
I wanted to share this painting with you albeit that Carravaggio is recognised as an Italian Baroque master rather than a Renaissance master. Carravaggio (b.1571) is probably more well known for his David with the Head of Goliath and for his wild and turbulent life but this painting of the...
I seem to be a ‘wine’ frame of mind today – no reason except that it is a beautiful day and I have been reading some wonderful material. Here is another except from Prospero’s Cell by Lawrence Durrell which really caught my imagination…. Read it and close your eyes...
I have decided to do a series of short blogs on the relationship between Renaissance Art and wine and food and this is the first in that series. This one looks at three paintings of the Last Supper and the differences in which wine in particular is depicted. The Last...
Salvatore Zofrea was born in Borgia, Italy and moved to Australia when he was nine years of age. He was awarded the Sulman Prize in 1977, 1979 and 1982 and his work is held in many private and public collections, including the Vatican and the Museum of Modern Art, New...
If you love making preserves as much as I do then this little titbit from Lawrence Durrell in Prospero’s Cell will ring a chord with you…. “Now that the robola is safely on the way, the Count can turn his attention to the kitchens with their gleaming copper ware and dungeon-like ovens. Here he busies...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
