Last weekend I had an excellent time in Rome. One of my favorite things was all of the great food. I got a huge kick out of the sandwiches and wine.

[caption id="attachment_2098" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Wine and Pannini!"]<a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dsc01466.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2098" title="Wine and Pannini!" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dsc01466.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a>[/caption]

It's become clear to me that sandwiches cooked in a pannini press are by far superior to non-pressed sandwiches. The cheese melts nicely, the veggies get a little bit soft and the meat is warm.  I have a hunch that all sandwiches are supposed to taste like this and I've been eating sub-par sandwiches for my whole life. <!--more-->

Yes. I've been eating less than amazing sandwiches without even knowing there were better sandwiches.  The bread is toasty. They are really delicious sandwiches--the pannini.  I don't think the pannini is a Roman sandwich but that's okay.

Then there's the wine. Equally good. I mean I've had good wine before Rome.  And the wine I had in Rome was good but it wasn't earth shattering.  Luckily I wasn't looking for earth shattering.  I was looking for something drinkable and something complimentary to my dinner.

What I was looking for was good with pasta and pizza and I found both of those! Phew. I did however get a kick out of the snacks served with a glass of wine during the cocktail hour--peanuts, pistachios and potato chips one afternoon. It was great fun to enjoy a glass of wine and eat little snacks.

Oh Rome. Oh pannini. Oh wine. What a wonderful mix.