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Previous page: St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica This page (from top): The Colosseum; the Pantheon; the Piazza di Trevi; the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti (Spanish Steps) AFP PHOTO: GEORGE W. RUSSELL St. Peter’s is situated in the Vatican, home of the pope, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and is the world’s smallest independent state. Its fewer than 800 residents live in an area of less than half a square kilometre – around the size of Tiananmen Square. If you want a chance to see the pope in person, he addresses the public on Wednesday mornings, when he speaks from his window overlooking the Piazza di San Pietro (St. Peter's Square). Tickets are required and expect the square to be heaving with the faithful, as well as many visitors, seeking a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI, the incumbent. After, you can visit the Vatican Museums, which include the Pinacoteca Vaticana, the Collection of Modern Religious Art and several sculpture museums. The nearby Sistine Chapel features nine paintings by Michelangelo as well as his masterpiece, “The Last Judgment,” above the altar and works by Raphael, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli and other masters. Rome, of course, has an abundance of museums and galleries. The Galleria Borghese is worth a visit as much for its settings as for its contents. The 17th century villa houses a glorious collection of Renaissance art as well as a large assemblage of Bernini sculptures. For fans of performing arts, October marks the traditional start of the opera and concert season. The 19th century landmark Teatro dell’Opera di Roma presents Amilcare Ponchielli’s La Gioconda, featuring the American soprano Jennifer Wilson, premiering on 23 October. The Auditorium Parco della Musica, designed by Renzo Piano, offers a packed schedule of concerts and shows. Rome does not have the drinking culture associated with northern European cities, although wine bars are now common and gastropubs are gaining in popularity. A campari and soda in Piazza Navona – which was built as a sports arena 2,000 years ago – might set you back a small fortune but the peoplewatching is unparalleled. Don’t forget to have a tartufo, a chocolate ice-cream treat, at Tre Scalini. Most Hong Kong visitors are familiar with Italian food, one of the most globally travelled cuisines. Roman specialities include the wellknown spaghetti alla carbonara and bucatini all’amatriciana as well as more exotic tripe, pork and rabbit dishes. Where to eat • Al Ceppo Restaurant Traditional food in the Parioli neighbourhood. Via Panama 2. 8530-1370. • Capo Boi Fresh, delicious seafood. Via Arno 80. 841-5535. • Da Francesco Good local cuisine in al fresco surroundings. Piazza del Fico 29. 686-4009. • Hostaria da Nerone Home-cooked Roman food near the Colosseum. Via delle Terme di Tito 96. 474-5207. Where to stay • Ambasciatori Palace Luxury on one of the world’s most famous avenues. Via Vittorio Veneto 62. 474-2044. • Casa Il Rosario This Dominican convent accepts tourists as well as pilgrims. Via di Sant'Agata dei Goti 10. 679-2346. • Hotel delle Nazioni Roma Elegant choice for any type of stay. Via Poli 6. 679-2441. • Hotel Eden Romantic allure in the heart of the Eternal City. Via Ludovisi 49. 478-121. • Hotel Napoleon Charming, quiet and family run. Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 105. 446-7264. • Pyramid Hotel Comfort for the budget-conscious traveller. Via dei Magazzini Generali 4. 578-0009. What to see • Auditorium Parco della Musica The city's modern arts complex.Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30. 8024-1281. • Baths of Caracalla The monumental ruins of public baths used between the second and sixth centuries. Via delle Terme di Caracalla 52. 3996-7700. • Colosseum The stunning ruin of the 1st century Flavian Amphitheatre is a Roman treasure. Piazza del Colosseo 1. 3996-7700 • Musei Capitolini Art and archaeology exhibits focusing on the city. Piazza del Campidoglio 1. 060-608. • Teatro dell’Opera di Roma The capital's ornate landmark concert hall. Piazza Beniamino Gigli 7. 481-601. October 2012 57
Beyond port and plonk There’s more to Portuguese wine than meets the palate, George W. Russell reports Portugal’s vineyards have long lived in the shadow of their counterparts in France and Spain. The country is far better known for its Port and Madeira than table wines. Even in Hong Kong, Portuguese wines are more closely identified with trips to Macau, where they are more widely consumed and better appreciated. Indeed, some major resorts such as the MGM Grand devote more than one-third of their wine lists to wine from Portugal. To be sure, the best known wines from Portugal found in Macau are the crisp, green, low-alcohol Vinho Verde styles often associated with quaffing on a summer afternoon. But as the days cool, it’s worth taking a look at some more robust vintages. The international appeal of Portugal’s wines hasn’t been helped by the fact that 90 percent of the country’s wines are produced using Portugal’s 200-plus indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Baga and Rabo de Ovelha. Others are referred to by their Portuguese names, such as Aragonês, known elsewhere as Tempranillo. For oenological purposes, Portugal is divided roughly into three clusters: northern Portugal, central Portugal and southern Portugal. Northern Portugal includes the Douro and Dão regions where much of the country’s finest reds come from. The valley of the Douro – difficult terrain that 17th century winemakers had to create into terraces – is known for its rich red wines. Touriga Nacional is the principal grape variety grown in the Douro. The valley’s hot, dry climate produces dark, aromatic wines similar to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. One excellent Douro available here in Hong Kong is the Quinta do Vallado 2007 58 October 2012 After hours Terraced vineyards have covered the schist slopes of the Douro Valley in northern Portugal since the 17th century. (HK$220, Fairmont Fine Wines, Wanchai). It delivers concentrated fruits such as plums and cherries. Central Portugal is the least well-known when it comes to wine production. Very little good wine is produced around Lisbon and vintages from the Carcavelos, Colares, Bucelas and Setúbal areas are rarely seen outside Portugal. However, the centre of the country does contain the Ribatejo and Estremadura regions, where many fine wines are produced. Ribatejo wines are rarely found in Hong Kong but one worthwhile purchase is the Conde Vimioso Tejo 2009 (HK$78, Watson’s Wine Cellar, Central). This blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragonês and Cabernet Sauvignon has red fruit, almost jam, notes. Southern Portugal includes the Algarve, the enclave of second homes for British emigrants that unsurprisingly produces poor wine, but also Alentejo, an important grape-growing region and another significant contributor of Portuguese wines to Hong Kong. Fine Alentejo reds include the Cortes de Cima 2007 Touriga Nacional (HK$495 Grand Wine Cellar, Sheung Wan) with its complex blueberry-blackberry aroma, notes of leather and firm tannin structure. A more economical alternative is the Quinta do Carmo 2007 (HK$235, Rare and Fine Wines, Sheung Wan), another rich, fruity vintage ideal for accompanying AFP autumnal meat and game dishes. Portuguese whites shouldn’t be ignored. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with quaffing a sharp, raw Vinho Verde on those last heady days of summer heat. In terms of value for quaff, you can’t go past that staple of picnic baskets and Outlying Island seafood restaurants, Aveleda’s famous Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Branco (HK$58, Lam Hoi Kee, Yung Shue Wan). Made from Loureiro, Trajadura, Arinto and Azal grapes, it’s crisp and refreshing with sustained citrus notes. For a slightly more upmarket experience, try the Quinta de Gomariz Loureiro 2010 (HK$150, Ample Vision Wines, Kwun Tong). On its own, the Loureiro grape tastes like something between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Viognier. It has a touch of sweetness but still has that summery, spritzy appeal. The Douro valley also produces some fine whites, such as the Altano Branco Douro 2010 (HK$98, Watson’s Wine Cellar, Central) made by Symington Family Estates. This has fruity notes at the apricot and pineapple end of the spectrum, with a pleasing citrus acidity. The nearby Dão region is better known for its reds, but also produces interesting white wines such as the Quinta das Maias 2007 (HK$180, Chateau Lamma, Yung Shue Wan). An ideal seafood accompaniment, this has a pleasing sweetness with fetching hints of sea salt.
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 10 VOLUME 8 OCTOBER 2012 PLUS
Page 3 and 4: REGULARS 01 President’s message 0
Page 5 and 6: Mobile revolution to be focus of IT
Page 7 and 8: European Central Bank may gain powe
Page 9 and 10: NEWS GREATER CHINA Wen stands by mo
Page 11 and 12: Entrepreneurs in pledge to strength
Page 13 and 14: October 2012 15
Page 15 and 16: “Should their role be expanded? S
Page 17 and 18: October 2012 19
Page 19 and 20: Making a start Here in Hong Kong, c
Page 21 and 22: Success ingredient Tang Nai Hoi, ch
Page 23 and 24: ??????????? Success ingredient The
Page 25 and 26: In 2000, Tang was appointed CFO of
Page 27 and 28: a convenient place for money launde
Page 29 and 30: affecting bottom lines. A recent KP
Page 31 and 32: Work-life balance Creature comforts
Page 33 and 34: Work-life balance 38 October 2012 R
Page 35 and 36: Work life balance Alfred Chung and
Page 37 and 38: IFRS/HKFRS 8 IASB starts its post-i
Page 39 and 40: IFRS/HKFRS 8 fail the above quantit
Page 41 and 42: tal principle of confidentiality an
Page 43 and 44: Careers People on the move The late
Page 45: Romantic Rome To experience Rome is
Page 49: The Gap store recently opened near

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