Starting 2026 as we mean to go on… the Appassionata way

Once the excitement of New Year’s Eve has passed, January all too often arrives with feelings of pressure. Diets to follow, habits to fix, routines to overhaul…

But this year, we’ve created some New Year’s resolutions that we can’t wait to start.

We’re tackling 2026 the only way we know how: the Appassionata way, and we’re inviting you to join us.

To try new, local wines 🍷

There is always another bottle of wine to discover in Le Marche, whether it’s been suggested in a local enoteca, recommended by a neighbour, spotted on a supermarket shelf, or opened by a friend.

We have been here 20 years and are still discovering wines we didn't know existed. It's estimated that about 700 wineries are operating across the region, reflecting its long history of winemaking, which includes small family estates, cooperatives, and larger historic wineries.

Our resolution is to try new wines that we might have previously overlooked, and to learn the stories behind the bottles, starting with these two varieties in particular:

Red: Rosso Conero. (DOCG)

A smooth, robust, fruity, medium-bodied red wine, produced on the slopes of Monte Conero near the Adriatic coast.

Made mainly from Montepulciano grapes, it is best enjoyed with slow-cooked ragù, roasted meats, or a simple plate of pecorino and bread.

Follow the link to a list of excellent cantinas that are all producing great examples of this wine: https://www.rossoconero.info/en/vignaioli/

White: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. (DOC/G)

Verdicchio is a wine with great aromas and sensations. Structured, full-bodied, and elegant, it has a straw-yellow colour with evident greenish reflections, hence the name Verdicchio (Italian word verde, meaning green), which highlights its fragrance, effervescence, and notable freshness.

The Reserva version is a more complex wine, with a more developed taste after 18 months in oak, but this just adds to the flavours and depth of the wine; the oak doesn't dominate, making it my favourite style.

Interestingly, it is assumed that the grapes growing on the left side of the Esino river valley produce a more mineral complex wine than those grown in the opposite valley. I look forward to testing this theory, although it may involve many attempts to establish which side of the river the wines actually come from…

This wine is best enjoyed with grilled fish, seafood pasta and vegetable dishes.

To see some of the options available, please visit the following link: https://www.winetravelguides.com/italy/marche/verdicchio-marche/

Guilt-free dining 🍴

Calorie counting simply has no place in Italy. How could it? When you and your friends order a fresh antipasti board for the table, when a rich ragù is paired with a deep, delicious red wine, or when that tiramisù you’ve been thinking about all year finally makes an appearance

This year, we’re going to be enjoying food exactly as it is meant to be enjoyed. Because eating well here means eating with pleasure and without guilt, and trusting that good food, enjoyed properly, is part of a healthy life.

Most of the food served is locally produced and offers an abundance of choice. Our proximity to the sea and mountains offers many fish and meat options, while the valleys in between produce an incredible array of vegetables, fruits, olive oils and wine. Slow food is a real thing here, and eating what is in season, or freshly caught, is the only way to go.

I love how, when in Le Marche, I consistently eat a balanced diet, with little processed food. It’s also a vegetarian's paradise, as so much on the menu is non-meat based, not contrived… but the way the Italians eat.

Speak Italian with the locals 🇮🇹

Although it feels daunting at first, speaking Italian is the best way to practise and improve your language skills. The locals are patient and genuinely appreciative of the effort, often meeting you halfway with encouragement and warmth.

There’s no expectation to get everything right. Taking it slowly, searching for the right word, or mixing languages is all part of the process. And gradually, those hesitant beginnings and short exchanges turn into real conversations and friendships, creating an incredible sense of achievement.

Most people don't realise that there are already thousands of words in Italian and English that are almost identical. There are no official numbers, but most linguists agree that there are 5,000-10,000 English–Italian near-identical words (true cognates):

That includes words that:

Look very similar
Mean the same thing
Often come from Latin (sometimes via French)

When I began learning Italian, I started small and learnt enough vocabulary to order a coffee, a beer, dinner, or to ask for directions, and then my favourite phrase was:

“Come si dice in italiano?” / “How do I say this in Italian?”

I’d then give them the English word, or point or show them, and I’d find that it would work a treat, as well as help me to learn in a natural environment.

I then started to learn the way verbs are conjugated, the use of feminine and masculine words, and the simple verb tenses; the present and past tense first, and then the future tense. Finding a good teacher is also so important, and my focus was always on conversation rather than grammar, but that was my personal preference.

I can now hold my own in most situations, although a room full of Italians passionately debating any subject is difficult to follow. But at that point, I reach for the wine, pour myself another glass, sit back and enjoy the magical opera of the Italian language. The sign language alone is like an intricate dance, one I am trying to master as it's all part of the passion and romance of Italian culture.

Cooking with the seasons 🍂

There’s a quiet confidence in Italian cooking, rooted in simplicity, seasonality and making the most of what’s available.

This year, we want to spend more time learning the traditional dishes we’ve come to know and love, making the most of seasonal market produce and recipes that are designed to be cooked and enjoyed at home. Some of the dishes we’re keen to master include:

CLICK ON THE TITLES BELOW FOR LINKS TO THE RECIPES:

Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Aglio (garlic), olio (olive oil) and peperoncino (chilli pepper) define Italian food like no other.

Its simplicity, focusing on quality ingredients and letting their flavours shine through is what’s most important in Italian cooking. This dish is a perfect example of how a few simple components can come together to create a masterpiece.

Classic Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie)

A warming lentil stew cooked with vegetables and herbs, often enjoyed in winter and traditionally eaten around the New Year. This is great as a side dish, starter or main, as you can add sausage to make it a bulkier recipe, and a really great winter warmer.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

This authentic recipe is made with just 5 simple ingredients: pasta, guanciale, eggs, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper. This recipe will guide you through the do’s and don’ts to make a Carbonara just as they do in Rome. There are so many adaptations to the original, authentic recipe, and I want to perfect doing it the right way. Buon Appetito!

Spontaneous evenings in the piazza 🌙

Some of our favourite evenings from nearly twenty years in Italy were never planned. A quick hello turns into an hour of conversation. A single glass of wine in the bar often turns into a full bottle. A plan to stay in, turns into a dinner invitation as Italian friends call up to ask if I would like to join them.

I can't tell you the number of nights out where I thought that it was going to be a quiet drink, but before I’d realised it, music had filled the piazza, chairs were pushed back, and the night had taken on a life of its own. These are the evenings that stay with you long after they end, and we’re leaving plenty of space for more of them in 2026.

Are you ready for La Dolce Vita in 2026?

If this is the year you want to turn your Italian dream into a reality, a Discovery Visit is the perfect place to start. It’s a relaxed, informative way to experience life in Le Marche, explore our homes and understand how ownership works, all at your own pace.

Get in touch to book your 2026 Discovery Visit and see what living La Dolce Vita could look like for you.