When in Rome.....Taste Wine!

This weekend I had my first true Roman experience. I attended Vini Naturali a Roma, a wine tasting festival held annually in Rome. It was at the Hotel Columbus which I discovered was just steps from the entrance to St. Peter's Square. 

 When I first entered the hotel I soon discovered I was the only American around. I bought my ticket, one of the best things I could have spent my 20 euro on, and headed in. I was first greeted with a table of glasses so out of instinct I picked one up and climbed the stairs to see what was in store for me. 

What I found was even more amazing than I expected. The room was so crowded! Everyone had their glass in hand, tasting some wine and speaking with the vendors. I spent the first 15 minutes of my stay in the corner just watching to try and figure out what to do! I observed how to taste wine and how to approach the vendors and use these small black canisters to dispose of any drips from your previous wine. I took my first chance and went up to a table for a glass of red wine. As I had observed, I swirled the wine in  my glass, stuck my nose inside to smell it, and then slowly took a sip. I now realize what I have been missing out on! The wine was some of the best I had tasted and my other choices throughout the event did not disappoint either. I then entered the next rooms and gave some white wines a try. I could not believe how many people were packed into these small rooms and how every person there was not necessarily a food or wine critic, but they knew exactly what they were doing and what they were tasting. 

Finally, I noticed a booth advertising its olive oil, that had bread samples to try with it. I stopped to take a closer look and found myself looking at a slow food company! I was particularly interested as we have discussed this movement in class so I picked up some flyers to read about the company and their participation in this movement. My Italian only got me so far, but I was able to gather that they produce their olive oil in a planet friendly way and take pride in advertising the philosophy of slow food. The olive oil itself was not my favorite, but I was happy to learn about a familiar concept at the event.

While I can in now way even begin to classify myself as someone who knows something about wine, this event has definitely sparked my interest. It was so cool to be the only american around and go unnoticed and really observe the event. It is amazing to me just how many people know about wine. In the United States you have to have a particular interest in wine or wine making as a hobby, or have some exposure to wine in your line of work to really have an idea about what you are tasting or how to taste it. Here it is so different. The common person is expected to know what kinds of wine are made from what kind of grapes (they aren't included on the label) and how to serve each wine and what to drink it with. I was happy to spend my first Roman/Italian experience here and I look forward to much more eavesdropping on culture!