Ep. 2365 Giro D'Italia 2025 Between Wine And Food Part 3 | Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon

It's the final week of this year's giro d'italia twenty twenty five, and the most exciting moment of this annual three week cycling ultra marathon. Has this year's race already been unquestionably decided or will there be drama in the high mountains of Trentino Alto adige? Lombardi, Piedmont or Valle Dosta. All will be revealed as a race comes to its conclusion on the streets of Rome for the final stage. On Sunday, June the first. Fascinating people with stories to share, fabulous wines, and the best local foods to accompany them, and beautiful places to discover and visit. All of this and more on wine food and travel with me, Mark Millen, on the Italian wine podcast. Join me for a new episode every Tuesday. Welcome to wine food and travel with me, Mark Millen, on the Italian wine podcast. It's the final week of this year's Giro d'italia twenty twenty five, and the most exciting moment of this annual three week cycling ultra marathon. As a cyclist try to recover after the rigors of fifteen days in the saddle with a well earned rest day. The race now moves to the highest mountains of Trentino Alto Adighe, Lombardi, Piedmont, and Valle Dosta. It will be in this oxygen starved and rarified atmosphere. Sometimes literally above the clouds that the eventual winner of the Malia Rosa will be decided. Week too has not been without incident or drama. The Italian darling and genuine GC contender, Julia Chicone, crashed heavily on day fourteen and was forced to retire. Primos Roglage, the prerace favorite has shown more than a chink of weakness and is now close to four minutes down on general classification. Mads Patterson, the Danish rider for team Little Track managed once again to demonstrate not only his extraordinary sprinting prowess, but also his ability to suffer and endure on climbs. His hold on the Malia Chiclamina look secure. And Lorenzo Fortunato of XDS Estana in the mania Azura continues to climb strongly and combatively. The main prize, of course, is the mania Rosa, the pink Jersey. It was matched unexpectedly on day nine by the young Mexican Isaac Deltoro of the UAE team Emirates when he escaped on the slippery, dusty strade bianche of the Valle Dorcha a dramatic mano a mano finish in Sienna's Piazza del Campo. In spite of a heavy crash, he was still in pink on day fourteen. The wine stage that ended in Nova Gariza in Slovenia. Though he only acknowledged the role of luck, To be honest, he said after the race. I don't have the best luck, but I didn't have the worst bad luck. I didn't crash, but then someone hit me in the back. And so then I crashed. You cannot control these things. They just happen. Sometimes they're not even in your hands. That's it. It's just luck. But luck had nothing to do with the heart and courage that he showed to attack after the crash and gain even more time on the other GC contenders. Including his own teammate and team leader, won a user. Stage fifteen, the final day before the break was a deliciously appetizing taste of the challenges still to come. A brutal and twisting twenty five kilometer first category climb of Montegrappa. First category climbs are the hardest, steepest, and longest. It ran from bassano de grappa to the Alto piano of Aziago. Then there was another second category climb to Dori before a far from easy rolling finish to Aziago. A town famous for its cheese and dairy tradition. This was a day made for a breakaway, and so it proved The stage win going to Carlos Verona, a little track, domestique, whose role had been to ride in support of his now retired team leader Chikone, and who has now granted the freedom to escape in a breakaway. His stage victory was yet another huge achievement for the Little Trek team. Meanwhile, Deltoro continues to wear the Pink Jersey going into the final week. He has put further distance between himself and the prerace favorite Primos roglich. Is Roglech keeping his powder dry for the high mountains or is the why on the old veteran pattered and bruised from the crashes truly suffering and unable to respond? Whatever. Isaac Deltora has proved to be a more than worthy race leader. He can climb. We have seen. He has great heart and determination. And after fifteen days, he still looks fresh. Still looks the strongest rider in the race. But the question is, will he have the legs for the highest alpine challenges that he will soon face? With UAE team Emirates, support the Malneuroza, and even instruct his team leader, Juan Ayuso, to work for the young Mexican, or will a team instead thank Deltoro for his heroic efforts and switch their support to Ayuzo, gambling that he will have the best chance for overall victory, or will that decision be taken on the road in the heat of the moment determined by events that no one can yet foresee? Whether in road conditions may well play a part in this. As it often does. These are some of the fascinating machinations, tactics, decisions, and happenings that will be taking place on the highest, hardest, and most beautiful mountains in Italy in the coming days. I can't wait. For as things stand now, there's still all to play for. And I think this year will go all the way down to the wire. To the brutally savage Coli Delifin Estre, the Chima co be on the final mountain stage on day twenty before the race comes to its ceremonial conclusion on the streets of Rome on Sunday, June the first. Local Foods, mountain wines, may seem somewhat less traumatic than the action on the road, but they too are an annual part of the giro d'italia, a delicious and important element at least on my giro d'italia. So in anticipation of the week to come, here's my final food and wine installment for our Italian wine podcast Gastronomic in Girod Italian twenty twenty five for stages sixteen to twenty one. Day sixteen, Piazzola DelBrento to San Valentino. Two hundred and three kilometers, four thousand nine hundred meters of climbing. Today is an enticing, if not frightening prospect. A proper full day in the high mountains with three first category climbs and one second category ending with a steep seventeen kilometer mountain top finish to San Valentino. Today is a day where dreams can be realized, where hopes can be dashed, where the pain of the mountains becomes overwhelming, and where it is easy to lose the will to live. It is a day for the strong to attack. For the less strong to hang on the best they can, hoping to limit losses. It is a day potentially when a race can be won or lost. The stage begins in the province of Vicenza at Piazzola Del Brento and continues north over the dolomites into Trentino Altima Dijay finishing on the summit of San Valentino Brentonico. On the flanks of Montebado and overlooking the Northern shores, of Lake Garda. Trentino is a region where mountain foods take pride of place, and where polenta, the cornmeal mush that has been a staple of the Vanato since the sixteenth century when Marc Antonio Sarrego brought this strange food plant from the new world to Veneto and all of Northern Italy. Long staple for both aristocratic, as well as Contadino, Palenta today still features regularly in meals here. Served with just simple platters of mountain cheeses from the Malga and home cured salumi, as well as with Richard Foods, Stews made from games such as venison after the hellish rigors of the day, I'm knocking for the ladder. The venison Stu and Polenta. Utifly partnered with a Martsemino, Trento, DOC. From the county, Bosie, Federigote, winery. Day seventeen, San Micale al Adijay to Bormio, one hundred and fifty five kilometers, three thousand eight hundred meters of climbing. Another grueling day in the mountains, though less dramatic for being without the painful and soul destroying challenge of a mountain top finish. Today's stage begins in San Mikayaradice, which for wine lovers is known for its, istitutu agrario, now known as the fondazione, Edmund Mach, which has done considerable and vital research into Viticulture and anology over many decades. We're moving today from Trentino Alto Adighe into Lombardy with two long central climbs to the Valdinon and the Valdisone to reach the Pasuditoneale with a final long climb towards the ski resort of Bormio. We're in Lombardi's Valtilina, a high mountain wine zone, where the Nebula grape variety, known here as Kiavianasca rain supreme producing ethereal and fine expressions of that mighty noble varietal. The foods are classics of the mountains. I'm starting with a plate of Brazaula, IGP, air cured beef seasoned with mountain herbs, and we'll follow this with a prima piato that's unique to this area. A typical pasta made from buckwheat flour cooked and served with cabbage, potatoes, local cazera cheese, and butter, richly filling and satisfying the wine to pair with this. After two days in the high mountains, I'm in need of something approaching rocket fuel, and there's nothing more powerful or typical of this area. The Nino Negris Sforzat, Karlo Negris, Valtelina, POCG produced from those high altitude, calvinascha grapes, air dried to a semi raisin state to make a sort of mountain amarone style of dry, passito red, mighty, like the mountains, richly soft and warm and enveloping to comfort and give solace if all hope is gone, to fortify inspire for the immense work still to be done in the coming days. Day eighteen, Moreno to Ceseno Maderno. One hundred and forty four kilometers, one thousand eight hundred meters of ascent. If the powerhouse sprinters have mated over the mountains and are still in the race, then today will be a day for them to shine provided that is if they have anything left in their legs. From Moreno in the Valtelina, the route mainly traces the eastern flank of Lake Como and into its hills before finishing on flat roads that lead to Cesano Maderno, just north of Milan. With a finish that will inevitably end in a bunch sprint provided no opportunistic breakaway has been allowed to get far enough ahead that they can't be caught. In such situations, as the bunch bears down relentlessly, on a small intrepid group. It is as if there's a scent of blood in the air. The lead rider is desperate to hang on to their lead, having toiled so hard and bravely all day. The chasers relentlessly upping the pace, especially when they first gain visual sight. There is drama and excitement. Inevitably, we spectate or salute the courage of the breakways and will them to hold out to defy the odds with one of them. It doesn't matter who managing to sneak a stage win. Today may have been a return to easier terrain, but there is still much work to be done in the few days that remain, including two of the most challenging and hardest stages still to come in the mountains. This means that robust and nourishing food is what is required, such as Casola, a rib sticking stew of cabbage, pork ribs, trotters, sausage, and pork rind served, of course, with what else, polenta? That ever present staple of Northern Italy. A hearty red wine to accompany this piggy feast? No. I'm going to cut all that rustic fat and richness with one of the most elegant of all Italian wines. Berlucis, Franca Corta, Palat Solana, extreme, extra boot from one hundred percent pinot narrow, and aged for no less than nine years on the Lease, a wine that combines both power and extreme elegance. And which will reinvigorate tired legs, tired hearts, tired minds, in anticipation of the terrors of the highest mountains that are to follow. Day nineteen, Viola to one hundred and sixty six kilometers and four thousand nine hundred and fifty meters of climbing. From Byela in Piedmont, today's route has no less than five brutal climbs before the finished shampoo look one of the main ski resorts of Validation located in the heart of Monte Rosa. The climbing begins almost from the off, and there is opportunity after opportunity to attack to try and break the spirit of your nearest contenders as the drama continues on the highest slopes of the Italian Alps. Will a leading contender suddenly show a chink of weakness, perhaps falter and have to depend on his loyal domestiques to shelter and encourage and pay some up the climbs, hoping to minimize losses, or will somebody make an unexpected attack? Timing it at just the right moment to break away again time and destroy the dreams of those whose legs simply can't respond. We will see. The finish in Champ Pollug provides the opportunity to enjoy a simple meal that is the specialty of Vanadosta, LaFanduta, Alavaldostana, Italian fondue made with creamy mountain fontina cheese, milk, maybe egg yolks sometimes serve over simply boiled potatoes or perhaps with steamed vegetables and plenty of crusty bread. The wine, knowing that tomorrow it's the toughest stage of all, the Chima coppi. I'm opting for a pre a blanc from the cave co operative de morjesques and de la salle from grapes grown on some of the highest vineyards in Europe resulting in a wine that is light, delicate, almost ethereal, a wine to drink, knowing that tomorrow, you will be cycling with your head in the clouds. Day twenty, Veris, desestriere, two hundred and five kilometers, four thousand five hundred meters of climbing. Will the race already be one by now? The Mountia Rosa, virtually out of reach, save for a truly disastrous day in the mountains, I somehow doubt it because of penultimate day as hard as this one can bring any number of upsets, changes of position, drama, and tears. For stage twenty includes this used Chima Kopi named after the famous Italian cycling legend Fausto Kopi, which means that the penultimate climb of the day, the brutal Colle de lefinesre will ascend to the highest point of the giro d'italia twenty twenty five. The dizzying and oxygen starved two thousand one hundred and seventy eight meters above sea level. Whoever passes over the Chima Kopi first gains vital extra points in the mountain classification, the Malio Azura, adding a further element of intrigue should that award still be hanging in the balance. The is eighteen kilometers long, and the last nine kilometers are an unpaved road that includes twenty nine switchbacks over just four kilometers. Could the giro d Italian two thousand and twenty five be one on these grueling high altitude Strata bianca slopes? It is certainly possible. The day's finish is in the ski resort of Sastreaire back again in the region of Piedmont. The rigors of the race will now be all but over. The victor surely decided. The final day in Rome, something of a procession, with little chance of GC positions changing. By now, I've had just about enough of mountain foods. And as we find ourselves back in Piedmont, I'm opting instead for a classic menu of Le langue. I think we've earned it. Starting with some traditional antipasti such as Vitello Tonato, carnecrudo al albesi pepperoni, Then a bowl of annual Loth dial plain, the tiny meat stuffed ravioli served simply with meat juices, and then a second of one of Italy's great regional dishes, Prasato alvarrolo, the fastoni beef slow cooked in that king of wines and accompanied, of course, with a caliche or two of the same. For me, a bottle of Casina Fontola del camune de castiglione falletto made by Gamora Roso's winemaker of the year, twenty twenty five Mario Fontana. This is indeed a fitting wine to toast a worthy winner, whoever he may be. Day twenty one, Roma to Roma. Hundred and forty three kilometers six hundred meters of climbing. Today will be the final day of this year's Chiroditalia, after three grueling weeks that started in Albania in which have moved from the deepest south to the highest mountains of the north. For those cyclists who have survived the ordeal, there's something of a demob happy feel amongst the Peloton. No one taking today overly seriously. Mind, it's not all fun and games. For the sprinters and their teams, we'll be hoping for one last chance of glory by searching a final stage win on the streets of Rome in front of thousands of adoring fans with GC, general classification, and the Manuel Rosa all but wrapped up by now. The Victor and his team should be able to relax a bit. And simply ensure that there are no crashes or mishaps as the route heads first to the sea then comes back to Rome to follow eight circuits along a route that allows the world to see some of Rome's most famous and greatest monuments. And then after such a long time, after so much effort, after so many kilometers and meters of climbing, it will be all over. The winners presented with their awards and their coveted jerseys on the podium, the interviews down the crowds dispersed. Over the course of three weeks, who knows much may have happened in the world. The Catholic world will have a new pope for one thing, a reminder that this final stage is being run-in honor of the late pope Francis. Time then for just one final meal. I'm craving pasta, of course, and will opt for a tree of classic Roman specialties, cacio epepe carbonara, and a matriciana, served with copious quantities of Frascati, made by the Principi Palavicini, a family wine estate who themselves can boast their own pope, as well as cardinals, and who still make wines that find their way to the Vatican. This podcast, of course, is a preview of the final week to come. Right now as I look into my crystal ball to foresee the future, more sure of the wines, the foods, and the eventual victors, the outcome of the judo is still very much in the lap of the gods. Depended not only on the skill, grit, determination, and power of the individual riders and their teams, but also on such vagaries, mechanical failures, crashes, and the weather. Will it snow in the high mountains this year as it has done in previous years, neutering the potentially outcome deciding Chima Colpi stage? Will there be wet and slippery roads, making twisting alpine descents something of a dangerously slick lottery. What is certain is that this year's Guiano D'italia will be won and lost in the days to come, and we will just have to wait and watch to know who will be wearing the Malrosa in Rome after the final stage as well as who will be donning the Malia Chiclamina and the Malia Zura. Whatever the outcome, the giro d Italian is always a great national spectacle. That takes us on a spectacular and breathtaking journey all across Italy, from the deep south to the northern reaches of the highest alps and dolomites across regions, each not only with their own cycling challenges, but also with their own histories, cultures, stories, and, of course, foods and wines. I hope you've enjoyed my Jiro preview podcasts, and that in future years, they will have encouraged you to follow and enjoy what I think is the greatest national cycling spectacle on our planet, the Jiro Ditania. We hope today's episode of Hawaiian Food and Travel with me, Mark Millen, on the Italian Wine podcast has transported you to somewhere special. Please remember to like, share, and subscribe, wherever you get your pods. Likewise, you can visit us at Italian wine podcast dot com. Until next time, Chincin.