Podcast: Interview with Italian Hotel Owner and Business Man, Filippo Signorini

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Podcast.

Filippo Signorini is a native Italian and takes pride in his small family-run hotel in Northern Italy, located directly on the Adriatic Sea. Being also a savvy business man, Signorini discusses Italy's previous election between Prodi and Berlusconi and tells his opinion about Italy’s new president.


Signorini also comments on some of the changes he sees with Prodi’s new administration. For example, Prodi’s idea to implement a tourist tax throughout Italy would be a big change, especially for Filippo’s hotel, the Hotel Ducale. If this tax is put in place, the Ducale could possibly experience some negative effects.

Also check out Hotel Ducale.

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Podcast.

Wood chips banned in Italy

Italy has banned the use of wood chips in it's wine production.

Apparently, some Italian wine makers have used wood chips in past wine productions to simulate the flavor of wine that would have been stored in authentic oak barrels.

Italian wine makers as well as lawmakers have come to the agreement that this practice could and might therefore, hurt the quality of their wine.

Ironically, the European Union had actually relaxed the wood chip usage rules however, Italy's Agriculture Minister signed a decree which said that the chips may NOT be used in any top quality wines.

Luckily, other Italian winemakers have agreed with the rule and declared that this was the key to furthering and insuring the quality of Italian wines.

Italy bans use of wood chips to simulate oak-cask flavor in quality wines
ReutersPublished: Friday, November 03, 2006
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=65c797c8-adae-4f7d-a6a1-f746ecaceb5e

R.I.P Mussolini...or not...

Mussolini’s “March on Rome” marked its 84th anniversary just a few days ago in late October, which has apparently sent the current Mussolini family into an uproar about whether or not to have the remains of the former Il Duce transported from its present tomb in Predappio to Rome or left alone to R.I.P.

As is stands, Mussolini’s remains are located on Italy’s eastern Adriatic coastal town of Predappio, where Mussolini himself had previously requested to be buried. The fact that his remaining family has thrown themselves into frenzy about whether or not to move his remains to a “grander location” such as Rome is almost ludicrous and irrelevant, especially since Mussolini himself requested to be buried with his wife and four children in Predappio.

This insane idea of a corps relocation was actually that of Carla Puccini, widow of Romano Mussolini, a jazz pianist who died this year.

“For me, Benito deserves to rest in Rome, in a suitable setting,” Puccini argues.

May I be so bold as to ask who this woman thinks she is, making such radical statements about how this Italian dictator, who unmistakably threw Italy into a backwards spiral for nearly 20 years with his outlandish propaganda and strict censorship, should be worthy enough to be buried in a more “suitable” setting...let alone ROME???

Mussolini requested to be buried where his remains are now located…which is probably more than he should have EVER received!

Another Mussolini devotee, who is close to the family, also feels that his remains should be relocated to Rome, directly across from the balcony where Mussolini made many of his ridiculous speeches.
Had either of these people been alive to experience the madness of the Mussolini reign, I fear they would experience a vast change of heart.

On the other hand, the town of Predappio, where Mussolini currently rests, might experience a great loss if Mussolini is moved, since there are many shops that continually sell flags, lighters, beer tankards, bottles of wine, caps and other items emblazoned with Fascist, Nazi and SS symbols to those easily influenced and inexperienced people who come to visit and pay their respects to Il Duce for whatever reason; personally however the mere thought of such conduct is utterly baffling.

Apparently there are still those who believe Mussolini to be great. However there are still those who believe Bill Clinton to be great, and the list continues.

I suggest re-reading history and re-thinking one’s morals.

(I must add a comment to this title...has not Mussolini been burried now for 61 years...so why then does this title suggest that he is now being buried for the first time?)
Italy confronts its demons with debate over burial of Mussolini
By Peter Popham in Turin
01 November 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1945771.ece