A wine-focused spring and two-wheeled start to the summer
It has been an unusually wet spring and as the summer sun and heat arrives, the gardens and fields around us tell the story; happy farmers and vineyard owners celebrate a healthy start for their crops, the hillsides are awash with lush greenery, and in beautiful abundance as spring turns to summer are the poppies, exuberantly sprinkling splashes of red at every turn.
In recent years spring has been exceptionally dry and never a good start to the season for gardeners or farmers, so this year comes as something of a relief. Here at Villa Menaluna this year we try to keep up with the weeds and grass, which seem to grow a metre day as soon as you turn your back. This is in stark contrast to the first two years as we struggled in vain to keep our newly planted garden alive at all during the bone-dry spring and sultry summer months. Thankfully now in 2024 and year three of the garden, it’s finally settled down and establishing itself properly as it should. The herb garden has particularly taken off this year, and with more fresh mint growing than even the most prolific cook staying at the house could use, we’re trying to find our own way to get through bunches of the stuff in dishes, as a garnish and of course, in cocktails. Check out a classic below…
Dodging the incessant rain in recent weeks we’ve had our usual flurry of spring events. We joined our friends and neighbours to explore the new vintages of the many wine producers in our area at the ever-popular Giro del Nizza and Nizza e Barbera wine festivals (definitely dates for your diary in 2025…). Both events showcase the region’s wines and it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet and chat with the skilled producers and hear the trials and tribulations of the season.
Adding to this, our little local ‘tradition’ - “The Second Thursday Club” - continues into the summer, with our local friends meeting at the village for simple drinks and aperitivo, to chat, catch up and take in the stunning view of our lovely village and, on a clear day, the sun setting behind Monviso in the distance.
Also, bringing a little global attention to our region was the first of two major cycling races as the Giro d’Italia zipped through our local villages in May. Following this will be the Tour de France Grande Départ which is scheduled to also pass through on 1st July.
Keeping with the cycling theme, on 25th May our neighbouring village of Calamandrana hosted the inauguration of the newly completed cycle path, connecting Nizza Monferrato, Calamandrana and Canelli, helping cyclists avoid the busier roads on this popular route. Adding to this, more local villages have installed cycle stations for fixing and charging your bike as you tour the hills.
With cycling enthusiasts flocking to our Monferrato hills all year to test their skills and take in the stunning views, as well as the growth of e-bikes for hire for the less energetic but equally enthusiastic among us, it’s wonderful to see these local initiatives encouraging healthy activities and helping our tourism efforts too.
If wine or cycling is your thing and you’re planning a visit to Villa Menaluna, do check with us for the dates of future wine-centric events (more to come in the autumn) or simply take it easy and hire an e-bike for the afternoon – dropped to you and collected from Villa Menaluna. We would advise against combining the two, although it has been done ;o).
Mint-based cocktails perfect for summer
Mint Julep
Easy to make and easy to drink, this is a favourite of Steve’s. Using a sugar syrup is the correct approach but for the lazy among us, a couple of teaspoons of granulated sugar ‘muddled’ in with the bourbon and mint does the job too.
60-70ml Bourbon (or free-pour what you want)
A small bunch of mint leaves
12-15ml 2:1 sugar syrup (see tip, below) or a 2 tsps of granulated sugar
Ice- cubes and crushed
a big mint sprig and a straw to finish with a flourish
Method
Shake the bourbon, mint leaves and sugar syrup (or granulated sugar) with ice and strain into a large glass filled with crushed ice. Churn gently with a long-handled spoon and top with more crushed ice. Garnish and serve.
Tip – making the sugar syrup
Dissolve 200g sugar in 100ml water over a low heat. Leave to cool, then bottle. Store in the fridge for up to one week, if it lasts that long – Mint Juleps are moreish!
Lime and Mint Spritzer (non-alcoholic - serves 4)
A great refresher to make and put in the fridge for when you want it. Ideal on a hot summer day, straight from the pool or with an evening barbecue.
Fresh lime juice from 5-6 limes
100g + 2 tablespoons white sugar
Large handful of fresh mint leaves (washed and left on the stalk is fine) plus extra for garnish
600ml of sparkling water or club soda
Extra lime slices and mint leaves for garnish
Method
Combine lime juice, sugar, and mint in a jug and stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved, muddling (pounding out) the mint in the process. Put this in the fridge until chilled - the longer you refrigerate, the more mint flavour you will have in the final drink.
Pour the lime/mint mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a larger jug or pitcher then slowly pour in the sparkling water and stir gently. Pour the spritzer into glasses filled with ice then serve with extra limes and mint.
