Nothing is more romantic than forbidden love and the defiant lengths that Romeo and Juliet went to in order to be together. Though this led to their untimely death, they are immortalized as the poster couple of Valentine's Day.
Shakespeare's famous tragedy takes place Verona. Hanging out here for the last few weeks, I’m seduced by Romeo and Juliet’s passionate spirits at every turn. It’s impossible not fall in love in this dreamy city, even if it’s just with Verona itself. Were the young lovers alive today, they would certainly lap up Verona’s amorous atmosphere. And I can’t help but wonder what they would drink.
Alas, the only liquid we can be sure that Juliet knocked back is a coma-inducing potion that inadvertently proved fatal for both her and Romeo. She was also barely a teenager. But had their families stopped feuding before the heartbreaking finale, Romeo and Juliet may have lived to legal drinking age. They'd be able to go on a normal date and savour the tasty (and less potent) elixirs of the Veneto region.
On the evening of Feb. 14, they might meet in Piazza Bra, the sprawling central plaza that fans out around an awe-inspiring 2,000-year-old Roman arena. An Aperol Spritz at one of the lively outdoor cafés would calm butterflies in their stomachs and stimulate the appetite. This classic aperitivo brings together Prosecco with Aperol for a bittersweet bubbly cocktail. In a large wine glass with some ice, pour three parts Vaporetto, Prosecco DOC Brut ($15.79 at BC Liquor Stores)with two parts Barbiere Aperol (BC Liquor Stores $21.49)and finish with a dash of soda.
Relaxed and hungry, Romeo and Juliet would then sneak down one of the dark side streets in search of a cozy trattoria serving traditional cuisine. They’d start with some antipasti followed by bigoli (a thick udon-like pasta) with seafood brought in from the fish markets of Venice. A glass of Soave would wash it all down. Complex and creamy with lemon, lavender and blanched almonds notes, the2012 Roccolo Grassi, ‘La Broia’ Soave DOC ($42 at private wine stores) is highly worthy of the special occasion.
Moving onto the main course, the duo could choose from local specialties like baccala(salted cod) and polenta or fegato (chicken liver) and onion. But surely they’d opt to indulge in a hearty stew of wine-braised beef, donkey or yes, even horse meat. I imagine Romeo feeling the need to impress and suggesting an opulent and heady Amarone della Valpolicella. However, Juliet in her infinite wisdom would propose something lighter and a little lower in alcohol. They’d settle on the 2011 Tedeschi, ‘Maternigo’ Valpolicella Superiore DOC ($34.99 at BC Liquor Stores). Offering fresh plums, cherries, tobacco and pepper, it’s flavourful enough to stand up to a rich braise but juicy enough to refresh between bites.
After dinner, both Romeo and Juliet may feel slightly over satiated but surely wouldn’t want to part ways. The solution? A gentle stroll through the meandering streets in search of some grappa (this grape pomace distillate possesses proven digestive properties). They’d duck into a late night bar overlooking the Adige River that circles the city and order something along the lines of the aromatic Maschio Beniamino, Grappa di Moscato ($35.99 at BC Liquor Stores).
We leave our hero and heroine there in hopes that their wine-fueled courtship will continue to be less dramatic than the Bard’s version.
–Prices exclusive of taxes.
