Spring in Campania

You know it's spring in the hills near Avellino when in some of the sunniest spots the vines are already budding. I have been tasting tank samples of the latest vintage, simple, delicious white wines bursting with flavor and zippy fruit, They are about to be bottled; I can't wait to find out what they'll be like in bottle, after they recover from bottle shock. The wines are natural, very clean and wholesome. I predict that, as protein becomes more expensive and rare for the average person, high-quality products of the soil will become more important, not least wholesome wines that help fill you up and keep you from lamenting, "Where's the beef?" And salmon and shrimp and chicken. Tomorrow off to Basilicata and then back on Saturday to visit a wonderful Aglianico producer. When I am no longer forced to write on a Blackberry, I'll provide some details. Arrivederci.