We saw a film recently at the Italian Film festival in Perth, called Finche’ c’e Prosecco c’e speranza. The English translation given was The Last Prosecco. A more literal translation is While There is prosecco, there is hope. Both titles would resonate with many of us. The last prosecco ever is just sad! But the last prosecco of the day is probably okay (because if you’re in Italy, you’re probably moving on to lunch or dinner with wine). If it is the end of a particularly good prosecco, you’ve probably solved not only your own problems but many of the greater ones too and have a new philosophical stance on things.
While there is prosecco there is hope, is a great maxim for life. There is always hope, but it seems more likely if there’s more prosecco, and especially if you are in the Veneto region where the film was shot. One of the scenes was filmed among the vineyards at Cartizze, in Valdobbiadene, the home of prosecco, just to the north of Venice. We were pretty excited as we’d just been there a month ago.
The tiny cantina is called Osteria senz’Oste which means a tavern without a host. The stone building is stocked with salami, bread, desserts, and bottles of wine. You simply leave the money in the box on the table. There is a guestbook where you can record your thoughts and thank the absent host/owner.
Our day began with a long-table meal of antipasto, roasted meats and, as it was the festival of prosecco, several jugs of prosecco on the table. After lunch we were driven by our Italian friends, Federica and Luca and their parents from Belluno, to Cartizze to have a prosecco tasting lesson at the vineyard where the Osteria senz’Oste is located.
Our last prosecco of the day was sipped while watching the shadows grow longer, stretching down the slopes over the vines. The last light of the day bathed the landscape in yellow and reflected perfectly the colour of the bubbles in our glasses. Yes, while there is prosecco, there is hope!