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Bocelli wine enthusiast interview

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Fred Pistoor
Fred Pistoor

Andrea Bocelli recalls fond childhood memories of playing in his family's vineyards in Tuscany and helping with grape harvesting. While he and his brother Alberto make major decisions for Bocelli Family Wines together, Andrea is not involved in daily operations but enjoys promoting the wines. When touring, Andrea does not often drink wine or eat rich foods for concerts but looks forward to the foods of Tuscany, especially when his tour is over and he can enjoy a bottle of wine. At home, Andrea's well-stocked cellar includes wines from Burgundy, Friuli, Brunello, and Bolgheri, and he enjoys pairing his family's Prosecco or Sangiovese wine with performances of

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Wine Enthusiast: What are some of your early memories of the family? Andrea Bocelli: As a child, for me, the vineyards were a game, a place of discovery. My brother and I would often play in the vines. I also spent time cutting grapes during the harvest, working alongside the laborers.We shared the scents of the earth, the joys of life in the country. W.E.: How involved are you with Bocelli Family Wines? AB: While my brother Alberto and I make major decisions together, such as new plantings and vineyard extensions, and we taste wines together during the year as the wines develop, I’m not involved in the day-to-day operations. It is my role to present these wines so people can know how wonderful they are. But I joke that I am the “official taster.” W.E.: When you’re on tour, what are your favorite regions for wine and food? AB: They say,“wine makes you sing,” and it’s true.Wine releases music that comes from inside us, a surge of joy, euphoria, and the need to express ourselves beyond words. But wine certainly doesn’t help one sing well, especially for concerts!Therefore, when I tour, I do not often partake in rich foods and wine.That said, when my tour is over, one of the first things I do is to enjoy a bottle.As for food,Tuscany, is a veritable gold mine. I love the flavors, our cheese, our bread; I love sausages, especially when handmade; garden vegetables, and of course the pasta. W.E.: What are some of the wines in your home cellar? AB: I have a well-stocked cellar, which holds bottles from Burgundy, white wines of Friuli, Brunello, and also wines from Bolgheri. W.E.: If you were to relax at home and drink a bottle of wine while listening to an opera, what is the opera, and what is the wine? AB: First of all, it is worth mentioning those immortal masterpieces of opera that sing about wine. Just think of the famous brindisi fromVerdi’s La Traviata and the equally well-known Cavalleria Rusticana. If I had to pick a wine to enjoy while listening to La­Traviata, I’d pour our Bocelli Prosecco, of course, while Cavalleria Rusticana might best be paired with the intense Sangiovese flavor of ourTerre di Sandro, named ­after my father. BY MIKE March 7, 2013 Q & A WITH ANDREA BOCELLI The singer sits down with Wine Enthusiast to discuss his family's vineyard, how to pair opera and vino, and his post-tour ritual.
Bocelli wine enthusiast interview

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Bocelli wine enthusiast interview

  • 1. Wine Enthusiast: What are some of your early memories of the family? Andrea Bocelli: As a child, for me, the vineyards were a game, a place of discovery. My brother and I would often play in the vines. I also spent time cutting grapes during the harvest, working alongside the laborers.We shared the scents of the earth, the joys of life in the country. W.E.: How involved are you with Bocelli Family Wines? AB: While my brother Alberto and I make major decisions together, such as new plantings and vineyard extensions, and we taste wines together during the year as the wines develop, I’m not involved in the day-to-day operations. It is my role to present these wines so people can know how wonderful they are. But I joke that I am the “official taster.” W.E.: When you’re on tour, what are your favorite regions for wine and food? AB: They say,“wine makes you sing,” and it’s true.Wine releases music that comes from inside us, a surge of joy, euphoria, and the need to express ourselves beyond words. But wine certainly doesn’t help one sing well, especially for concerts!Therefore, when I tour, I do not often partake in rich foods and wine.That said, when my tour is over, one of the first things I do is to enjoy a bottle.As for food,Tuscany, is a veritable gold mine. I love the flavors, our cheese, our bread; I love sausages, especially when handmade; garden vegetables, and of course the pasta. W.E.: What are some of the wines in your home cellar? AB: I have a well-stocked cellar, which holds bottles from Burgundy, white wines of Friuli, Brunello, and also wines from Bolgheri. W.E.: If you were to relax at home and drink a bottle of wine while listening to an opera, what is the opera, and what is the wine? AB: First of all, it is worth mentioning those immortal masterpieces of opera that sing about wine. Just think of the famous brindisi fromVerdi’s La Traviata and the equally well-known Cavalleria Rusticana. If I had to pick a wine to enjoy while listening to La­Traviata, I’d pour our Bocelli Prosecco, of course, while Cavalleria Rusticana might best be paired with the intense Sangiovese flavor of ourTerre di Sandro, named ­after my father. BY MIKE March 7, 2013 Q & A WITH ANDREA BOCELLI The singer sits down with Wine Enthusiast to discuss his family's vineyard, how to pair opera and vino, and his post-tour ritual.