Met a couple of friends yesterday for aperitivo at Al Buscion, in Stresa. Because it's only one block off the lake, and right next to a few of the biggest hotels in the old center of town, it's a popular spot for tourists. Listen to the conversations around you and you'll hear English, German, French, and Italian. Last night the large table in the corner was filled with Germans who were happily celebrating something. One after another, they hushed their group and made toasts that then collapsed the group into laughter. I love the international and happy atmosphere here. But I also love the wine. Buscion is an old Piemontese dialect word meaning the cork in the wine bottle, and wine is really the star here. Massimo enjoys trying new bottles and you never know what's going to be open. I asked for a red wine and I was served a Sangiovese from Montepulciano, very sweet and with a strong cherry aroma and flavor. My next glass of red was also Tuscan, but quite different. I like that Massimo uses beautiful glasses of the right shape for each wine. Every glass of wine here is worth toasting to!