In May, the vineyard fills with roses (and scents), but do you know why a rose bush is planted at the beginning of each row?
The rose is a sort of sentinel plant for certain fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. It's not just aesthetically pleasing, but also a key player in biological control, helping the winemaker recognize and prevent diseases.
For true lovers of these flowers, the riot of scents and colors can be experienced by strolling through the Roseto Comunale di Roma: a one-hectare garden in the center of Rome with over 1,100 varieties of roses from around the world.
The rose garden is in the heart of Ancient Rome, on a slope of the Aventine Hill, just steps from the Circus Maximus and the Mouth of Truth, where the Floralia festival has been celebrated since ancient Rome. Over the centuries, it had also been used as a Jewish cemetery until 1934, when they were granted a space in the Verano cemetery.
I stumbled upon it by chance years ago when Maria was still a baby in a pram, and I was enchanted by a sensory experience that remains dear to my heart. Every time I pass by the garden, I can't wait for May to come so I can enjoy the roses in bloom.
We're not organized enough to apply to participate in the Rome Prize (by invitation), which has been held since 1933, but in our own small way, we've planted many varieties of roses at the beginning of each row of the Donna Vittori Borgo Agricolo vineyards.
Even along the sides of the small educational vineyard at the entrance to the village, where we've planted all the grape varieties grown in our Lazio region.
In Paliano, we've created our own small rose garden, and every year we make new cuttings and new crosses in our small greenhouse.
To conclude this little love story about roses, we present the lyrics of "Era de maggio," perhaps the most famous masterpiece by the great Neapolitan poet Salvatore di Giacomo.
The words of this song echo in my mind every time I see a rose; the poetic power of Neapolitan song is capable of penetrating my heart and putting me in a good mood.
And every time I stroll through the vineyard, I relive these emotions.
It was May - Era de Maggio
It was May and the young cherries were falling
Era de maggioe te cadeano 'nzino
With a crackle, crackle, there the red cherries
A schiocche schiocche li' ccerase rosse
The air was fresh and the whole garden
Fresca era ll'aria e tutto lu ciardino
Smelled of roses at every step
Addurava de rose a ciente passe
It was May, I can't forget it
Era de maggio io no nun me ne scordo
A song we sang together in two voices
'Na canzone cantavemo a ddoie voce
The more time passes, the more I remember
Cchiu' tiempo passa e cchiu' me n'arricordo
The air was fresh and the song sweet
Fresca era ll'aria e la canzona doce
And it said: Heart, heart
E diceva: Core core
My heart, you're going far away
Core mio, luntano vaie
You leave me and I count the hours
Tu me lasse e io conto ll'ore
Who knows when you'll come back
Chisà quanno turnarraie
I replied: I'll come back
Rispunnev'io: Turnaraggio
When the roses return
Quanno tornano li rrose
If this flower returns in May
Si 'stu sciore torna maggio
I'll stay here
Pura magg' 'io stongo cca'
If this flower returns in May
Si 'stu sciore torna maggio
I'll stay here
Pura magg' 'io stongo cca'
And I returned and now, like once
E só' turnato e mo, comm'a na vota
We sang together the old song
Cantammo 'nzieme la canzone antica
Time passes and the world changes
Passa lu tiempo e lu munno s'avota
But true love, never changes
Ma 'ammore vero no, nun vota vico
I fell in love with you, my beauty
De te, bellezza mia, mme 'nnammuraje
If you remember, in front of the fountain
Si t'allicuorde, 'nnanz'a la funtana
The water inside never dries up
Ll'acqua, llá dinto, nun se sécca maje
And a love wound never heals
E ferita d'ammore nun se sana
And I tell you: Heart, heart
E te dico: Core, core
My heart, I have returned
Core mio, turnato io só'
May returns and love returns
Torna maggio e torna 'ammore
Make of me what you want
Fa' de me chello che vuó'
May returns and love returns
Torna maggio e torna 'ammore
Make of me what you want
Fa' de me chello che vuó'
May returns and love returns
Torna maggi e torna ammore
Make of me what you want!
Fa de me chello che vuo'!
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