Thursday, December 3, 2015

VENETO WINES OF ITALY IN ANNUAL US HOLIDAY PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN

ITALY'S FAMED REGION FOR PROSECCO, AMARONE, BARDOLINO AND VALPOLICELLA SHOWS WIDE VARIETY OF VENETO WINES

 Dwight Casimere with U. Vi. Ve. President Arturo Stocchetti
 NY Strip Steak alla Scarperiello with a selection of Lugana, Vardolino and Vapolicella wines

The excellent Sommelier service of Astoria Prosecco Superiore Millesimato DOCG


Story and photos by Dwight Casimere

NEW YORK-The Meatpacking District's famed Del Posto restaurant was the setting for the kickoff for the Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti DOC, the Consortium for all Veneto Wines Consortia's return for its annual US holiday promotion. The campaign also included a first-time-ever  stop in Miami.

Trade, media and wine lovers were treated to a reception at Serafina on Gansevoort Street in New York's Meatpacking District, followed by a  Food and Wine Master Class which allowed them to experience the diversity of Veneto wines, from whites to reds, and from sparkling to dessert wines, paired with the elegant regionally-inspired cuisine of Del Posto.

Arturo Stocccheti, president of U.Vi. Ve., hosted the Master Class and food and wine pairing at Del Posto along with moderator Gloria Maroti Frazee, Wine Spectator's Director of Video and Education. The tour made its inaugural visit to Miami, where world renowned wine expert Charlie Arturaola  led a Master Class at the Miami Culinary Institute in Miami's fashionable Wynwood art district. The wine and food pairing, artfully prepared by Toscana Divino's chef, coincides,  with Miami's Art Basel exposition, which also includes the Wynwood District among its primary locales. These inaugural events in New York and Miami will be followed by a month long promotion dedicated to Veneto at Made In Italy Gourmet, complete with a series of Master Classes.

According to President Arturo Stocchetti, "Veneto wines are the leader in Italy both in terms of production and value. We are pleased to present the United Wines of Veneto to the United States for the Holiday Season. Consumers will experience the wide variety of styles, tasteand terroir that takes them all the way from the Dolomite mountains down to the Piave River valley."

Among the wines presented were Villa Sandi's Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore "Di Cartizze ($32) paired with Del Posto's Lobster alla Caesar with Grilled Romaine and Breadcrumbs Oreganata, followed by Pumpkin Cappellacci Brutti ma Buoni and Toasted Sage, paired with I Stefanini Soave Classico DOC Monte De Toni 2014 ($17).

A choice of New York Strip Steak with Charred Onion Salad and Eggplant alla Pizzaiola or Slow Baked Chicken alla Scarpariello, Charred Broccoli Rapini and Giardiniera paired with Lugana Riserva DOC Molceo 2014 ($15)  from Otella and Bardolino Chiaretto Classico DOC 2014 ($17) from Delibori along with Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore Rocca Sveva 2011 Cantina Di Soave ($20), among others. There were a total of 14 outstanding wines to choose from for the tasting experience, which also featured Astoria Prosecco Superiore Millesimato (vintage-$9)), which paired nicely with the dessert selections for Pine Nut (pineola) Rosemary Cake with Olive Oil Gelato and Rosemary Cream or Fig Jam Crostata with Fiore di Latte Gelato.  The flavor combinations were both unique and dazzling and truly showed off the versatility of Veneto wines. They will make an important addition to any Holiday Table, because they pair so well with a variety of dishes.


 Del Posto's Gigli Verdi al Ragu Bolognese is served to the head table
 Wine Spectator's Director of Video and Education Gloria Maroti Frazee with Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Consorzio president Alan Trade

 Lobster alla Caesar with Grilled Romaine and Breadcrumbs Oreganata
 U.Vi.Ve. President Arturo Stocchetti with translator Luca Manganaro
 Del Posto's Pumpkin Cappellacci Brutti is served

                                                       
Below: NY Strip Steak with Charred Onion Salad



 Nazareno Vicenzi of Unione Consorzi Vini Veneti DOC

Ralph Wright of DeCarlo Wines takes notes on the wine pairings with Gigli Verdi al Ragu Bolognese 
 Pine Nut Rosemary Cake with Olive Oil Gelato
Below: Carlo Veronese of Lugana DOC


Below: Franco Cristoforetti of Bardolino Classico DOC

 Below: A few of the Wines of Veneto on display
l. to r. Villabella Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008-$29, Villabella Bardolino Classico Vigna Morlongo 2013-$12, Cantina Di Soave Rocca Sveva Valpolicella Ripasso 2011-$20

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