Thanks to both for the explanation. That makes sense since the cook in the novel makes crumbles from it and then adds it into some food.
Even with Google I still am not sure what vini d’autore are. Maybe a brand from the Lazio (a region)? One Italian trader translates it as “Author Wines” which seems nonsense to me.
Peter, this brand came new also to me, 'nuff said.
(for contextualising: my neighborhood bar [1] is also the best wine shop (enoteca) in the entire Portici-Ercolano aerea)
[1] note carefully that in Italy “bar” means “cafe” in UK/US, albeit indeed sells also shots, but their staple IS the coffee
Best regards from Italy,
dott. Piergiorgio.