Anticipation was high after the Club wine tasting on 4th October, where Cecilia Pasqua introduced us to a selection of Pasqua wines which received great reviews from those in attendance.

Upon reaching Verona and our excellent hotel, Antica Porta Leona, which we can recommend to anyone visiting the area, Chiara from Pasqua met us and took us to Torre dei Lamberti for antipasti and some delicious aperitivi, and the feeding began! We met with some other visitors from the UK and a delegation from Norway, and then Chiara took us to a delightful nearby restaurant which specialised in local cured meats.

Day two took us to the Pasqua winery, where we had the complete tour, both outdoor and indoor (especial thanks to Cecilia Pasqua for following through on her promise of the previous week to ensure excellent Veronese weather!) followed by a fabulous wine tasting. We particularly enjoyed the “11 Minutes” rosé and the Amarone della Valpollicella. After this, the feeding began again! We had an excellent lunch in the newly refurbished tasting room with the English visitors and the Pasqua CEO Riccardo Pasqua, and winemaker, Giovanni Nordera. This superb repast was followed by a fun blending of different grape varieties to produce our own bottles of wine.

Chiara had arranged for a guided walking tour of Verona that evening, which we found extremely useful for our free day in Verona the next day. We found our bearings, and several recommendations for places to dine.

We had an educational and inspiring visit and were treated like royalty.

A marvelous trip, some excellent wines and truly great food!

As a reminder, we have two Pasqua family wines currently on our wine list; the Pasqua Soave in a half bottle, and the Lapaccio Primitivo, but are hoping to add to this in our next list update.

With sincere thanks to our wine suppliers, McAlindon Wines/Direct Wine Shipments for arranging the visit, the Pasqua family, and especially Chiara, for their amazing hospitality and welcome, and the Remuneration Committee for nominating us as beneficiaries this year.