L'Italo-Americano

CV • N. 3 • GIOVEDÌ 17 GENNAIO 2013     •     THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 Renaissance Academies: Predecessors to Modern Social Networks C'è la Puglia tra le 10 migliori mete mondiali per i turisti del vino (e non solo) BARBARA MINAFRA Academies during the Renaissance were considered the first intellectual networks of early modern Europe. A partial view (left) of The School of Athens, fresco by Raphael (1509–1510), of an idealized Academy DATED MATERIAL - DO NOT DELAY The society of the Italian peninsula between 1350 and 1550 was unique in Western civilization. The unique structure of Renaissance society and the corresponding system of Renaissance values combined to give birth to one of the most amazing bursts of artistic creativity in the history of Western civilization. Accordingly, within the independent, urban city-states of Renaissance Italian society, both Many of the interactions were based on the concept of leisure and fun scholarship and artistic achievement reached new heights, spreading their wills and wealth over the entire society, beyond social status' differences. In this context, an early version of the actual networks, the Academies, flourished. Now, according to a study from the British Library, the Italian Academies in the '500 could be identified as the first examples of social networks. In a word, they were the predecessor of Facebook, Twitter and all the others. The study, The Italian Academies 1525-1700: The first intellectual Networks of early modern Europe, had been conducted over a four year period by the British Library, the Royal Holloway University of London and the Reading University of London. There were about six hundred Academies in Italy during the Renaissance. Continued to page 15 Colosseum reveals secret hues. 'Riot of colour' for what was thought to be just white, restorers say ROME - The Colosseum is usually thought of as a blinding arena clad in shimmering white marble that set off the crimsonflecked violence of the killing floor. Only one locale, the gallery of the mad emperor Commodus memorably played in Ridley Scott's Gladiator by Joaquin Phoenix - was known to have been decked in other colors. Until now, that is. Restorers at a mid-level tier of the ancient amphitheatre say they've found "a riot of color" in many other niches and galleries. Colorful decorations and artwork were uncovered on the walls of the 2,000-year-old structure Continued to page 15 Tra le 10 migliori mete del turismo mondiale del vino c'è la Puglia. Lo ha stabilito la prestigiosa rivista americana "Wine Enthusiast", collocandola, unica destinazione italiana, tra le "Ten Best Wine Travel Destinations 2013". Con la regione meridionale bagnata da Adriatico e Ionio, primeggiano: Monterey in California, Willamette Valley in Oregon e Long Island New York negli Stati Uniti; la regione della Rioja in Spagna, del Douro in Portogallo e del Danube in Austria per l'Europa; la Hunter Valley in Australia, la regione di Stellenbosch in Sud Africa e Val de Vinhedos in Brasile. Come spiegherà la rivista Usa nel numero di febbraio, la Puglia eccelle nei vini autoctoni da clima caldo. Meritano di essere assaggiati i rossi Castel del Monte ricavati dall'uva di Troia, il Bombino Nero e l'Aglianico. Molto interessanti anche il frizzante Bombino Bianco e il dolce Moscato di Trani. Più a sud vanno gustati: il Primitivo di Manduria, geneticamente legato allo Zinfandel (varietà di rosso coltivato nel dieci percento delle vigne californiane) e ricavato da bacche mature, che danno la concentrazione dell'inchiostro e tannini leggeri; il Salice Salentino piantato a Negroamaro (qualche volta miscelato con Malvasia Nera) per rossi intensi, e i vini bianchi e frizzanti come il Greco, il Fiano, il Malvasia e lo Chardonnay, che negli ultimi 5 anni hanno registrato una crescita straordinaria. La Puglia è poi stata promossa a pieni voti nella sua ampia offerta gastronomica: "To say that Puglia has Italy's best food is no exaggeration", ha scritto Wine Enthusiast. L'elenco delle masserie e delle località in cui soggiornare infine, è un lungo invito a soggiornare nella regione senza spendere troppo.

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