The pioneers of tour 1 were safely assembled in Perugia on our eagerly anticipated tour of Umbria and Southern
Tuscany. The sun shone and Perugia looked stunning. As always, we had dinner together on the first night. Our venue was the Caffe di Perugia – a long established restaurant that is an incredible warren of rooms woven into a centuries old building.
We kicked off with a rocket and brie sfogliatina – light as a feather puff pastry, accompanied by an Orvieto Classico Superiore. A pear and ginger risotto was next up and this was an unusual combination that worked exceptionally well. Portions were generous and the first white flag was being waved. A pasta alla’amatriciana was next – paired with the Rubesco red from the famous Lungarotti estate in Torgiano.
We were begging for mercy by now but the main course was still to arrive. The famous Stinco (not an easy sell – I know) but this is the famous ham hock dish of the region. We had an Umbrian 2005 Sangiovese which showed wonderful maturity.
Unbelievably, some of us managed a oozing warm chocolate tart to round off.