June 4, 2023 | Rome, Italy

Birthday pillaging

Barbarians at the gate — otherwise known as a birthday sleepover — can drive you to drink, specifically vintage rosé.

La multa

Paying parking tickets in Rome is a nightmare in the making, but wine can dull the pain.

Classmates

If you resist reunions long enough, finally going to one can unleash a tide of memories.

Price-sick

Being anointed wine-chooser is an honor, until you're stuck with a list written for billionaires.

Area B

An Italian traveler recalls a nightmarish trip to Washington that needs strong wine for the telling.

Noroc!

In summer 1989, the author and his friends set off for a unique vacation into then-Communist Romania.

Motherland

Once upon a time, "total" parenthood depended on "total motherhood," at least in Italy.