TONY NUCCIO IN EUROPE

March 19th, 2002: Southbank, London, England

Vinopolis Wine Tasting & Dinner
A bit of wine history, appreciation, making, tasting and then ....feasting.

The Vinopolis Wine Tasting Tour was interesting. For myself, it was a tour of the worlds wine history and how the importance of wine has played a key role in cultures dating as far back to ancient civilizations. The tasting of the different wines opened our minds to the many neglected flavors that are out on the market. Amongst Manzanilla La Gitana, Torres Atrium Merlot, Peter Lehman Barossa Valley Botrytis Semillion (?don't ask), and many others I still enjoy my sweet dessert wine from South America. Towards the end, after the Absinthe portion, I started to loose track from all the tasting. But, I did learn that wine has great health benefits when consumed moderately.

Following Vinopolis Wine Tour, the remaining heap of Council kids came to join us for the pre-break dinner at Cantina Vinopolis. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the chocolate cake. This dinner allowed everyone to become more familiar with our fairly large group. It was also a good time with good food, good wine, and of coarse.... happy people.

*Wine Tasting @ Vinopolis*
Vinopolis in Southbank, London where you can taste and learn the history of wine.	This display shows how champagne is bottled.	Barrels in which wineries have kept wine dating back over century's.
At the wine tasting tables, we stopped to sample the wines discussed in each section covering different regions of the world.	The tour provided history of different parts of the world, such as Chile, in which wine is also produced. Did you know: N. Dakota is the only state in which doesn't produce wine?	This was my first sample, Manzanilla La Gitana which is from Spain. It was a salty tangish dry scoth like experience, not something I expected for a start.
An older modern wine machine contrasting to today's innovative silver machine, in the background, now used in Napa Valley, CA.	Intro to Absinthe 101... not legal in the US yet.... licorice-like taste and very strong.	The Spanish culture and version of how wine is kept.
The last tasting table where everyone completed the tour.	Emily & her souvenir glass	Anna showing the wonderful effects of Vinopolis.

*Dinner @ Cantina Vinopolis*
Yummy! this poor lamb was delicious	Annie & Paul George Washington & CU Westminster	And... yes this truffles cake will not be forgotten for its thick & strong chocolately taste.
Anna & Brad	Katrina, Todd & Brad Los Angeles & New York	Dustin, Elizabeth, Jason, & David
	Karida, Chris' friend visiting from DC & Annie check out (clean-up) the international house afterwards.