This wine dinner holds a special place in my heart, bringing back memories of my upbringing in Tuscany, where life was a blend of simplicity and resilience. Picture this: one pig a year, providing us with charcuterie that sustained us through the changing seasons. Our garden, a humble patch of earth, offered an array of fruits and vegetables, while a sturdy brick oven became the cornerstone of our culinary adventures, yielding fragrant breads and savory pizzas.

Our home, though far from luxurious, was filled with warmth and laughter despite its lack of modern amenities. No heat, no running water for the first year? It was just another chapter in our story of adaptation and perseverance. And then there were our foraging escapades - gathering wild asparagus, onions, porcini mushrooms, and chestnuts like a treasure hunt in the Tuscan countryside. Despite the challenges, our upbringing instilled in us a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life, and looking back, I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.