~ If you are Italian, you are sure to remember some of the best recipes and cooking came from your nonna. Now you can share those memories and make new one's online. Rossella Rago is the host of the all new online cooking show and food websiode series, Cooking with Nonna.

~ Join our newly added Italia Living Social Network. As our website ItaliaLiving.com has been growing, we decided to add a new social network and forum. We welcome anyone that would like to contribute in our virtual Italia Living community. You can create your own profile, upload photos, events, socialize, chat and more. Let's all share the best of Italy and the Italian lifestyle together.

~ New member benefit added from DITALIA- The essence of your Italian kitchen. Fine foods, gourmet gifts, wine cellar, holiday specialties & more. Visit our VIP Offers page for details.

~ Italia Living now has a new multimedia page with video & webisodes. We will feauture food & wine, cooking, travel, entertainment, and more.

 ~ We are excited to be promoting a new feature film on a man who's name signifies elegance, Valentino. View a trailer from the film and read more on this wonderful documentary, "Valentino: The Last Emperor".

~ In continuing to feature the charm & sophistication of Italy...Italia Living is delighted to bring you the unique elegance of Bois Italian fragrance. ...Bois 1920

 ~ Experience the renowned singing talent of our friend Giada Valenti. View our 'Events' page for shows, and read her writing here about "Italy & Being Italian!"

~Continuum 2006. See our review below.

~ Join us as an Italia Living VIP member and get discounts at DITALIA, Tuscan Hills, Villa Romano, and more.

~ Time for Dining Alfresco ~

Perhaps no one enjoys outdoor dining quite as much as the Italians. In Italy, dining outdoors has long been embraced as a relaxing way to unwind after a long day.

For an great alfresco summer Italian meal, start with a refreshing white peach summer bellini with prosecco and white peach purée. A tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad is always a crowd pleaser. Drizzle chicken and fish with olive oil and lemon for a fresh, light flavor. Colorful veggies lightly dusted with Italian seasonings and extra virgin olive oil to bring out their natural flavors. Throw together a classic Italian pasta salad with fresh ingredients from your farmers market. Whatever your menu is, be sure to select a delicious wine to accompany the meal, such as the Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio. A perfect wine for dining al fresco because of its crisp, fresh flavor to accompany summer food flavors.

The key to perfect alfresco dining is always fresh seasonal ingredients. So gather your closest friends for an enjoyable evening of good food, good wine, and good company while dining alfresco Italian style. Happy Summer!

Buon appetito!

~Richard J. Michelli, Italia Living

Continuum - A wine for fine living from Napa with strong Italian roots

Continuum, the name of the single wine produced by the partnership of Tim and Marcia Mondavi, their families, and Margrit Mondavi. Robert Mondavi had the opportunity to experience and be a part of Continuum before his passing in May 2008.

“With our new wine, we celebrate the ongoing legacy of my family’s long and proud history in Napa Valley. Our goal remains to produce wines recognized among the finest in the world. With Continuum, we carry on our belief that wine is integral to the ongoing celebration of the good life,” Tim Mondavi says.

Continuum began with 1500 cases of the 2005 vintage, and 1750 cases in the just released 2006 vintage. The 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 16% Petit Verdot blend comes from vineyards in both Oakville and Stag’s Leap. The switch from Oakville bottling to a Pritchard Hill bottling will begin in either the 2007 or 2008 vintage, according to Carissa Mondavi, Tim's daughter and Continuum project manager.

Some thoughts...

I recently experienced the great pleasures of the Continuum 2006 vintage. This is just delectable all around enjoyment from the moment the weight of the bottle is in your hand, you feel and expect satisfaction. Your expectations are not disappointed. When you pour a glass of this deep ruby red vino, you soon realize there is nothing confusing here on the nose or pallet. There's not a whole lot of different things going on, but that's great, they've perfected what is. Dark chocolate, espresso, ripe currant, blackberry, elegant and extremely smooth.

Continuum is a wine that will make a great meal fabulous, and an average meal so much better. And with the smells and flavors present in this bottle, this wine alone as an after dinner or late evening glass is pure enjoyment.

While the price tag may not make for frequent purchasing at about $140. usd, treating yourself to a taste of this latest bottled history of the Mondavi family will have you satisfyingly saying... ah yes, this is fine living.

~Richard J. Michelli, Italia Living