A Florentine talks risotto, Biancolella, and more
While it’s not hard to find terrific meals and excellent wines in Italy, it’s always easier (and more enjoyable) when you have an expert to guide you. If anyone can speak to the culinary prowess of Italy, it’s Aldo Fiordelli, a renowned food and wine critic, journalist, and an editorial board member of the prominent L’Espresso restaurant and wine guide. The Florence native and resident writes for national publications including Corriere della Sera (the country’s most read newspaper) and Civiltà del Bere (Italy’s oldest wine magazine). A certified sommelier, he served as a judge for the 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Fiordelli, who will help advise on the Equinox Explore trip to Florence in 2020, spoke to Furthermore about his favorite restaurants in his homeland, go-to workout, and more.
Favorite Italian wine for summer: indigenous white varietals
"I love Biancolella, Greco, and Fiano from Irpinia or Costa d'Amalfi; Verdicchio from Le Marche; Trebbiano d'Abruzzo from Abruzzo. I would consider also Carricante and Catarratto from Sicily. Don't forget the more ambitious style of Soave.”
Italian food is all about… pleasure.
"We don’t think of food in terms of health or commodity, but in terms of pleasure. In Italy, we take pleasure in using authentic ingredients. Using them makes you eat and drink much more healthily.”
Risotto or pasta? Both.
“Risotto is served in the North because rice is produced there, but the climate in the South is more Mediterranean, meaning there is more pasta than risotto. When you eat local, seasonal food, it’s far less processed because preservatives and other ingredients don’t need to be added to something that’s ready to eat.”
How I stay fit: in the mountains
“I need to always be hungry, so I mountain climb and bike. I’m not very quick, but I love to enjoy the view as I’m heading up.”
The best places to eat in Italy…
….in Tuscany: "Bolgheri within Tuscany is one of my favorite places to eat. You can find outstanding wines there.”
...on Ischia Island: "I love the elegant, Mediterranean style of Nino di Constanzo at Daní Maison.”
…in Florence: "Once a year, I try to eat at Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, a three-starred restaurant with one of the most important wine cellars.”
...in Milan: "I like Fabrizio Borraccino’s authentic food from artisans and farmers at La Veranda in Milan.”
...in Bologna: "One of the best osterias is the Antica Osteria del Mirasole close to Bologna.”