A Taste of Italy in Dallas

If you’ve read anything I’ve written, you know I love Italy. However, since I live in Dallas, Texas, I’ve decided it’s time to start sharing the things that I find interesting and a bit off the beaten path right here where I am. Dallas has much to offer to curious travelers.

I don’t have to go far to get my Italian fix in Dallas. Just three miles from my house is a real Italian market, Jimmy’s Food Store. I always call it Jimmy’s Italian Market but the web address is jimmysfoodstore.com. Jimmy’s features only Italian foods and wines, and every region of Italy is represented there. They also host dinners and wine tasting, and usually the vineyard owner is in attendance.

Jimmy's Italian food market Dallas Texas

exterior Jimmy’s Food Store

At tonight’s wine tasting, the featured wines were from Barone Fini vineyards, and owner Giovanni Bonmartini-Fini was there. He gave a very brief introduction of his wines and the Trento Aldige area, where the grapes are grown. What really got my attention is his family has been in the wine business for six centuries, and was recognized by the Doge of Venice in 1497. Pretty cool!

I rarely miss these wine tastings, because they are very informal, people can just come and go, there is no reservation required, and it’s very easy to meet new and interesting people. If you are in Dallas and love wine, don’t be afraid to go alone. After a few sips of wine, everyone is much friendlier. And did I mention that the wine tasting was free?

The very first person I met was a young guy who has recently moved to Dallas from the Le Marche region of Italy. I practiced speaking my little bit of Italian, he spoke English; to me this equals the next best thing to actually being in Italy.

Senore Bonmartini-Fini, the owner of Barone Fini vineyards, was there to answer questions about the wine, the region, and even gave a friend some great travel tips for her upcoming trip to Italy. He graciously stood for photographs and I have to say, he wears his Armani well.