January 29, 2011

I have a young friend who’s extremely adept in craftwork. Pottery is her forte, but almost anything she makes, be it jewelry, sculpture, or cloth work, demonstrates her artisan’s hand and is strikingly unique. Recently she chose to give me a friendship bracelet. You’ve probably seen one before: six strands of variously colored embroidery thread tightly knotted to form an attractive pattern. I am quite touched by this little gift, whose charm lies in its simplicity and whose value in its intimation of the maker’s affection for me.

As I sat down to write about Dolcetto d’Alba, I thought of this bracelet, because many producers of this wine from Italy’s Piedmont district are adept at making some of the most complex and prized wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco. But when they share a glass of wine with friends, it’s their simple Dolcetto that they are most likely to serve. Perhaps, like my friend, they feel that simple gifts best convey deep emotions.

Although the name “Dolcetto” (a diminutive of the Italian dolce meaning “sweet”) might lead you to believe it to be a sweet wine, it is in fact quite dry. The name might be more attributable to the Dolcetto grape’s low acidity. This early ripening grape is widely grown in the Piedmont. Although there are a number of distinct appellations, (Dolcetto d’Acqui, Dolcetto d’Asti, Dolcetto di Diana d’Alba, etc.), Dolcetto d’Alba is perhaps the most popular and widely available. It’s this Dolcetto that’s the focus of our feature.
There seem to be at least two styles of Dolcetto d’Alba. The first might be characterized as ebullient and charming, with a sweet floral nose and rich fruit on the palate tempered by mild tannins and followed with a hint of almonds on the finish. The second is more austere and reserved, with drier flavors, and possibly more spice and a distinctive bitter almond finish. Neither style, however, has the complexity that other wines from this region might have, but both have their charms. They are also generally high in alcohol (approximately 12.5%) but quite easy to drink.

When shopping for Dolcetto, look for youth not age: one or two years after vintage is best. Although exceptions might be made for great vintages, I’d be wary of wines older than three years. Among the best producers are Ceretto, Aldo Conterno, Angelo Gaja, Bruno Giacossa, Prunotto, Giuseppe Ratto, and Vietti.

Because these wines are not very complex and relatively low in acidity, I’d recommend serving them with simple pasta dishes, poultry, and light meats. For our tasting, we chose penne served with a simple tomato sauce enriched with chunks of chevre. These wines would also be great with a cheese board after dinner or maybe simply with a hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano on an autumn afternoon. So why not set some cheese out, break open a bottle, and ask a friend over to share a glass or two.

For our tasting, we chose ten wines. We tasted each individually unaccompanied by food and then chose several to sample with our pasta.

Source: http://www.tablewine.com/archiv21.htm

The best hotels outside Manila in Pampanga and Subic are listed here including a beach resort which is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. The beach resorts, leisure parks and vacation hotels in Clark Pampanga offer a unique ambience that supports a laidback relaxing lifestyle. Many visitors travel north to Clark Pampanga from Manila to unwind and relax in these resorts.

This Pampanga resort hotel is different from other hotels in Clark Philippines or hotel in Angeles City. This Clark Hotel has large outdoor space for children to play and adults to enjoy some peace and quiet in the picnic grounds near the lake. Guests like the Hotel’s café breakfast garden which serves the best breakfast in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort has nice ambience and wide space, much better than the other hotels in Angeles City and Manila Philippines.

Traffic along the North Expressway NLEX from Manila to Clark is always light and the new Subic Tarlac Clark Expressway ScTex takes visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any towns and cities along the way.

Many guests like staying at Clearwater Family Inn Hotel Room in the picnic grounds of this resort in Clark Pampanga. Some like the trees in the resort camping grounds. One can stay in other hotels in Angeles City but it is not often one finds amenities and ambience like Clark, not like Clearwater Resort in Angeles City Philippines.

Those who are lucky enough to get a room at this lake resort in Clark Philippines will be able to enjoy the magical sunrise across the lake of Clearwater Resort at dawn. This is the only hotel in Clark Pampanga that guests can really enjoy viewing sunrise.

For inquires and reservations, contact us here

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets http://www.YatsLeisure.com