Product Description

Isobel and Lou moved to Montalcino and became Isabella and Luigi ten years ago and they have now been embraced by the locals and immersed in their antiquated customs and age-old feuds. In BEL VINO Isabella takes the reader on a winding journey to discover the true aristocratic orgins of the world-renowned wine Brunello di Montalcino on whose vintage the fortunes of many of the Montalcinesi depend. Taking us through the seasons of the wine harvest, Dusi weaves a path that brings in the local white-hooded monks who have lived in the Abbey of Sant' Antimo since at least 814; the last remaining local shoemaker; the harvesting of mushrooms, olives and truffles; an archery contest with a local village at which passions run high; and the fight to save a 1000-year-old church with no foundations. As an insider, Dusi is able to portray Tuscan life with all its idyllic charms whilst also giving an intriguing insight into the daily workings of the ancient village of Montalcino.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #350221 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 510 pages

Mail on Sunday
'Dusi's dreamy, escapist prose slips down as easily as its liquid title’

About the Author
After many years working in Australia in interior design, Isabella Dusi decided to move to Italy with her husband Luigi. They now run a travel business based in Montalcino. This is her first book.

Customer Reviews

Yet another.....
This seems to be one more of the 'we moved abroad and integrated with the natives' books. I was so disappointed with this. Ms Dusi (Isabella formerly known as Isabel!) states that she has no wish to patronise the local residents, then does just that. She states that, in order to integrate fully, she and her husband choose not to mix with resident English, American and Australian neighbours, yet when a wealthy American invites her to dinner she can't get there quickly enough!
The book is full of inconsistencies and I found the sycophantic style too syrupy for my taste, which is a shame, as I really wanted to enjoy it.
On a practical level, the editor and proof reader should be shot. Some of the grammar is dreadful, third person plural forms of verbs frequently follow singular nouns, words seem to be misused and misunderstood, and there are many typographical errors which interrupt the flow of the prose.
Would I buy this again? No. Have I wasted my money? I think so.

A fine vintage
Dusi's portrayal of Tuscan life is a work of staggering beauty and touching warmth. This is not just a book about wine, though it does feature quite a lot as you can imagine, nor is it a travel book. It is about the history and traditions of an ancient community in Montalcino. The more you read this book the more you get immersed. You will want to taste some Brunello and, dare I say it, visit the sweet sounding hill top village where it gets created. At times though this book is not always and easy read, there are moments where it did seem to drag a little and I did fell a little frustrated and wished the story would move a little quicker. But perseverance with this book will be well rewarded; you will not want to miss the excitement of archery tournament an event where Dusi brilliance as a writer shines.

A marvellously enticing trip in the land of legends
For better or worse, I do very little reading for pleasure. So all the greater enjoyment (for me, anyway) when I picked up this book and just couldn't put it down.
Signora Dusi paints a picture of life in Montalcino (home of the infamous Brunello wine) full of delicate interactions and curious complexities that could only exist in a small, walled, hilltop Tuscan village.
The notoriety of the history of Brunello, the legend and counter-legend of who invented this glorious wine, and the development of dear friendships with the cittadini and contadini (read the book!) alike envelop you into a wonderful landscape.
Her writing flows easily, making for a thoroughly enjoyable and effortless read, drawing you into the description of each new friend (Signor Primo for example), each new tradition (the archery contest), and each new and delightful Italian dish that she meets along the way.
The Irish Times said, "In short, she makes us want to book a flight immediately."
How right they are.
If travel writing has never been your 'thing' but you have wondered what life might be like in a Tuscan village (as many of us do), then this book is a great place to start.