An Aperitif Named Pirlo

When i research for my upcoming trip to Tuscany i inevitably read about the foods and drinks i'll soon get to indulge in once i get there. My recent discovery is Pirlo, an Italian aperitif.

Well, first of all, i'm not all that familiar with just what an aperitif is. Aha...

Aperitif = an alcoholic drink savored before a meal with the intent of stimulating the appetite. Not to be confused with a digestif, which is served after the meal.

The Pirlo is an aperitif that is a blend of white wine (usually Prosecco), Campari, and seltzer (soda water). Back to web surfing to satisfy curiosity about Prosecco and Campari.

Prosecco = a sparkling, dry Italian wine made from the prosecco grape, which is grown in the Veneto area of Italy. This wine is supposed to be (we'll see when we get to Italy) bubbly and lemon tasting, and is often used in the Bellini Cocktail.

Campari = created by Gaspare Campari in the 1860s with the intent of being used in Campari's bottled cocktails. Campari is equal parts alcohol, sugar, and distilled water...then infused with citrus, rhubarb, and herbs. Apparently the question, "What are these herbs?" can't be answered....herbs remain a secret ingredient. Seriously, i'm not making that part up.

So there you have it. The Pirlo.

Of course my dad most likely thinks of Andrea Pirlo instead of the aperitif. Andrea is an Italian fussball player who is good enough to have been to the FIFA World Cup.