When this northern Italy mountain journey is done, we’ll funnel it into one extra-large issue. Meanwhile, this week we have more Rolando, our man in Donnaz. He evaded me. He promised to answer all of my questions, but nothing arrived. Write about the place and grape only, he implored me, but he did so with such a twinkle I didn’t know if he was serious. Because, in fact, I could not write about Donnaz with authority based on one visit and to write about the place without this particular man would have been an even greater wine crime.

This week, the journey into mountain nebbiolo continues. Stay with me, it’s going to be long and involved. So, in this issue we finish up Donnaz and head a few minutes away, just across the river to Carema. Here you’ll meet the new gang ready to work the steep, broken-down vineyards and bring them back to glory. Where poor Rolando is a lone voice in his region, this new bunch has safety in numbers. Right now there’s a quartet, but more are on their way. If you want to experience the wines, ah, that’s a problem isn’t it? You can check out Ferrando, imported by Neal Rosenthal. Also, Il Sorpasso is in this country—Polaner Imports has them. If you want to subscribe, please do!

In the virtual world, a few of you came along on my kitchen.rodeo wine class. They usually do these wonderful cooking classes, with all the ticket money donated to some fab cause the tutor for the night chooses. We raised over $1700 for meals and bottles for medical workers in hard-hit Queens. Thank you all. Well done! This was my first Zoom class for 52 people and I’m not sure I have the hang of it yet. Getting there though. I think I’m also going to be chatting with Aldo Sohm on May 29th on Instagram Live. Watch his or @Alice.Feiring for details. Aldo and I have had many (very)  friendly wine disagreements in the past so we’ll see what emerges.

I have some good news for New Yorkers: The Ten Bells is opening for Happy Hour on the go during the weekends. Grab your mask and check it out?