STORY AND PHOTOS BY DWIGHT CASIMERE
Annalisa Bocchino with her father Giuseppe Bocchino of Azienda Agricola Bocchino Giuseppe
Barbara d'Asti Superiore from Agricola Bocchino Giuseppe
Chef Tyler Hollinger-Owner of High Life Productions Catering slicing fresh Parma Ham
Below: Dwight Casimere/Dwight The Wine Doctor (r) with Chianti Consortium representative Luca Alves introducing the new Chianti logo which was unveiled at the Simply Italian US Tour
NEW YORK--The Majestic High Line Hotel was the setting for the largest trade tasting of the vast variety of italian wines in North America. More than 80 wines were presented by the leaders of the countries most renowned consortiums, who were personally on hand to lead guided tastings and seminars of their exquisite wines.
The Simply Italian Great Wines U.S. Tour featured a series of Guided Tastings and Wine Pairings from some of the great wine regions of Italy. Consortiums that were represented included Chianti, Federdoc, Friuli Grave, Prosecco, Venezie, Romagna, Lambrusco, and Montepulciano, among many others.
The signature Walk-Around Wine Tasting, held in the High Line Hotels famed Library allowed participants to sample the wines along with their producers, who were there to personally pour the wines and offer insights into their production methods. A sumptuous buffet of Italian specialties was offered to further enhance the tasting, allowing participants to create their own wine and food pairings from a dizzying array of antipasti, pastas, salumi and cheeses.
The always illuminating seminars and guided tastings were the highlight of the day's activities. This reviewer personally attended the seminars conducted by Consortia Vino Chianti guided by Consortium representative Luca Alves. The seminar featured a Vertical Tasting Portrait of the Vintages and Territories moderated by Master Sommelier Laura DePasquale of New York. Participants had an opportunity to sample vintages dating back to 1999.
Famed President of Federdoc, New York, Riccardo Ricci Curbastro led the Seminar, Federdoc: Traceability and Regulation of Italian DOC Wines with a focus on Franciacorta: One Territory, Three Denominations. Curbastro gave a scintillating and knowledgable presentation, detailing the distinctions between the denominations and their specific terroir. He concluded his remarks with a marvelous anecdote regarding his encounter with legendary California winemaker Robert Mondavi. When he asked the great winemaker if he would share his production notes on one of his vintages, Mondavi replied; "Of course. When we share information we all get stronger!" That is the type of attitude Curbastro says he is hoping to instill in all of the members of his Consortium.
The Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour continued with a presentation in the dynamic Luxor Hotel and Casino. The tour concluded poolside at the Luxor in Las Vegas with THE "APERITIVO". Italian Wines. More than just a drink, the classic Italian happy hour organized by Federdoc, showcased the esteemed Franciacorta and Prosecco wines.
SIMPLY ITALIAN GREAT WINES US TOUR is the creation of I.E.E.M.: (International Event & Exhibition Management), the Miami-based branch of I.E.M. (International Exhibition Management), a comprehensive agency specializing in marketing, events production and public relations for the wine industry. For more information visit ieem.usa.com
