Italy's Home of PESTO & FOCCACIA

“Where’s that?” is what I get from most Americans when I mention that I’m heading to Liguria.   Also known as the Italian Riviera, this drop-dead gorgeous seaside region of North West Italy is home to two of my faves, pesto and foccacia.   Liguria is also home to the stunning post-card-perfect villages of Portofino and the ever popular Cinque Terre.  There’s nothing like sipping a glass of the local white Vermentino with a plate of a pasta al pesto and a piece of foccacia.  Heaven can’t be too far away.

One of the best renditions I’ve had of pesto and foccacia were both made by chef Davide Santoni of Restaurant Doria in Lerici.  His pesto, like many in Liguria, contains less garlic than our American versions.  And, Davide’s foccacia with pesto is a winning combination that will blow-your-mind.   Come learn the secrets of his recipes when Davide conducts a private cooking class for us on the 2012 Italian Truffle tour to Liguria & Piedmont.  www.WineKnowsTravel.com.