The Connected Table

12/02/2025

Alfredo Bertolani founded the winery that bears his name on April 27, 1925, in Italy’s Reggio Emilia, a region known for its DOC Lambrusco sparkling wines in Emilia-Romagna. In Scandiano where Cantina Bertolani Alfredo is located, the family helped establish the D.O.C. Bianco di Scandiano in 1976 to protect the native Spergola, an ancient white grape variety used in local sparkling wine.

Alfredo Bertolani's son, Vincenzo, and grandson, Giancarlo, modernized the winery which became the first in the region to discontinue wine pasteurization and introduce a sterile bottling system which eliminated oxidation.

On April 27, 2025, Cantina Alfredo Bertolani celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding. To commemorate the occasion, the winery has released a limited-edition red sparkling wine named "Il Cento." Each of the 2,025 bottles is numbered.

The fourth-generation siblings, Andrea, Nicola (winemaker) and Elena Bertolani, now oversee operations. When we were at the winery in this past October, Andrea Bertolani gave a us a tour, and we tasted selections of the wines.

Andrea Bertolani is our guest on The Connected Table Live Wednesday, December 3. Watch on YourTube or Listen on the radio . Listen anytime post show on more than 65 podcast channels and watch the episode on The Connected Table Live TV on
The link will be shared below.

In the United States Alfredo Bertolani wines are represented by

12/02/2025

Stock it to me! David makes turkey stock. The turkey was from

11/30/2025

Taqueria Guerrero has been an authentic Mexican lunch spot for us in Mid-City. I always appreciated the Coctel De Camarones and the soups. We are sorry to read that this restaurant will temporarily close out of an abundance of caution for its staff and customers due to the arrival of ICE agents and hope the owners and team stay safe.

Taqueria Guerrero, a Mexican restaurant that opened in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina, to temporarily close because of the fear in the Latin American community over immigration enforcement.

11/30/2025

Sundowners on the back porch with .laing sipping her terrific Nítida sparkling wine from South Africa.

Love this mild New Orleans weather and all our friends here.💜

11/29/2025

Two lunches this week at were soul-satisfying. Restaurant is located in a shotgun shack next to Mid-City New Orleans.

Open lunch and dinner.

11/26/2025

What a special story about the legendary Ella Brennan who would have turned 100 years old November 27.

David and I had the pleasure of interviewing Miss Ella and her daughter, Ti Adelaide Martin, on The Connected Table podcast on December 2016 after she has just turned 91.

What an honor and a fabulous conversation which I will repost shortly.

Commander's Palace Executive Chef has created a special tribute menu to Miss Ellas's 100th birthday.

11/26/2025

So many wines. So little time! This new episode of The Connected Table TV () spotlights sparkling wines for the holidays from Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Great Britain, New Zealand, Argentina and Chile.

We are to the producers who hosted us at their wineries and to the importers who shared samples with us. We will prepare a separate show dedicated to sparkling wines of the U.S.A. and Champagne Region. Just need to round up the bottles.

Enjoy and a toast to all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF-q_cJn4UY

11/25/2025

A savory sparkling 100% Blanc de Noir sparkling wine with firm fruit and toast. Because a Grand Matriarch is regal, elegant and confident.

Who's your Grand Matriarch?

11/23/2025

Food writer Deb Freeman has produced a documentary film about Edna Lewis that she presented at called "Finding Edna Lewis."

remembers meeting Lewis when she was cooking at .and.tollner and also honored by

Edna Lewis (April 13, 1916 - February 13, 2006) grew up in Freetown, Virginia. As a chef and cooking teacher, she showed us how to prepare anf enjoy southern cooking using seasonal fresh ingredients.

Read more about Lewis at

11/21/2025

Have you been to The Rattlesnake Lodge? It's not far from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, an historic music mecca. We love visiting The Shoals. Tip: The Rattlesnake Lodge is not far from the C**n Dog Cemetary. That's right! Been there, too!

One of Alabama's most unique restaurants…the Rattlesnake Saloon sits under a huge rock overhang that feels like a cave tucked into a cliff. You eat your meal right under the rock, looking out over the woods. It’s part of Seven Springs Lodge, where you can also camp, ride horses, and explore the land. The menu sticks to simple favorites like burgers, sandwiches, and cold drinks. On some nights, local bands play on the small stage, and the sound echoes off the rocks. It’s a true hidden spot in rural Alabama and one of the state’s coolest dining experiences.

11/19/2025

We are huge fans of Finger Lakes wines and spent a good amount of time traveling in this stunning region in August -September 2020 after we sold our house.

One of the Finger Lakes groundbreaking wineries is Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery which we visited. Founded in 1962, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery's namesake founder planted the first vinifera vines in the Eastern United States, forever changing the course of winemaking in New York.

In 1985, Dr. Konstantin Frank became the first winery in the eastern U.S. to release a traditional method sparkling wine made from classic Champagne grapes, setting a new quality standard for the region.

The Connected Table toasts 40 years of sparkling wine with fourth generation family member, Meaghan Frank, who reflects on family and innovations.

Join us live November 19. 2 p.m. EST Watch on YouTube W4CY Radio or listen. The permanent podcast will be shared at a link below or listen anytime on more than 65 podcast channels.