The much anticipated and
long awaited 32nd edition of Gala Italia recently took place in the
Grand Ballroom of the Essex House under the patronage of the Italian Ambassador
to Washington,
D.C
A list of ‘Who’s Who In
The Wine World’ received prestigious ‘Wine Leader Awards’ presented by Dr.
Louis Caputo. The winners included: President and CEO of Palm Bay
International, Marc D. Taub; Author and Wine Educator Kevin Zraly; Editor of
Wine & Spirits Magazine, Joshua Greene and Piero Selvaggio, owner of the
restaurant "Valentino" in Los Angeles.
The yearly event is a
darling of the media. This years event was covered by the most prestigious food
& wine editors in the United States, representing the Wine Spectator, Wine
Enthusiast, Bon Appetit, Wine & Spirits Magazine, and Forbes to Newsweek,
Hearst Magazines, Food & Vine Country, Dessert Magazine, Beverage Media,
New York Times and Town & Country, as well as various news agencies,
television stations, correspondents from the main Italian newspapers, and
numerous VIPs, including Consul Isabella Periotto of the Consulate General of
Italy.
The Gala Italia, as it
has done continuously for over thirty years, renewed its meeting with the most
qualified American wine press in a significant, meticulously organized event
that presented a top selection of great, special-vintage wines, thus
contributing to the success, prestige and image of quality Italian wine and the
Made in Italy as a whole.
The Gala Italia began
with the "Wine & Food Tasting," during which high tier Italian
wines and gourmet appetizers were tasted, followed by the "Gala
Dinner" and the presentation of the "Wine Leaders Awards."
The Wine Tasting
featured the following wines: the AB Vinea Doni, Vernaccia di San Gimignano
DOCG 2014; the Citra, Caroso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2010; the Ferrari Brut
NV and the Ferrari Rosé NV; the Campora, Rosso Toscana IGT 2009; the Cavit,
Lunetta, Prosecco NV and the Cavit, Infine Pinot Grigio Trentino Superiore DOC
2015; the Mezzacorona, NOS Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva DOC 2007; the Puiatti,
LUS Ribolla Gialla IGP 2014; the Paretaio, Rosso Toscana IGT 2012; the Planeta,
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, 2014; the Rocca delle Macie, Chianti Classico
Riserva di Fizzano DOCG 2012; the Rotari Rosé, Trento DOC 2013 and the Rotari
Brut, Trento DOC 2013; the Sella & Mosca, La Cala Vermentino DOC 2015; the
Stemmari, Grillo, Sicilia DOC 2015; the Travaglini, Gattinara DOCG 2011 and the
Vigna a Solatio, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2015.
At the Gala Dinner were
served: the Ferrari “Perlé” Trento DOC 2009; the Vigna a Solatio, Vernaccia di
San Gimignano DOCG 2014; the Castello di Querceto, “Il Picchio” Chianti
Classico Riserva, Gran Selezione DOCG 2012; the Col d’Orcia, Brunello di
Montalcino DOCG 2007; the Campora, Rosso Toscano IGT 2009; the Mezzacorona NOS
Teroldego Riserva 2007; the Bertani, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC
2007; and the Fontanafredda, “Moncucco” Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2010.
The dinner recalled a
professional wine tasting, as guests were seated around large, round tables
with triangular “glass mats” upon which were placed nine different glasses for
the various dinner wines. Throughout the evening, the wines (whose descriptions
were highlighted in the event program) and their specific qualities were
further illustrated to the journalists by the wineries’ representatives.
The menu was specially
prepared by Chefs Achilles Poliviou and Andrew Burriesci and by Pastry Chef
Tommy Doh to pair with the exceptional dinner wines. The menu featured Butter
Poached Lobster with butter head lettuce, treviso,
watermelon radish and herbed olive oil; followed by Braised Lamb Ossobuco with
white bean cassoulet, saute escarole, roasted cipolini onion and port wine
reduction; and an assorted cheese plate of gorgonzola, parmigiano reggiano and
asiago. Dinner concluded with a Mocha Chocolate Mousse Cake with gold leaf and
hazelnut gelato.
Guests were also treated
to Ferrero Rocher chocolates provided by Ferrero, and to ground coffee provided
by Illy Caffé.
Among the past
recipients of the "Wine Leaders Awards": Adam Strum, John Mariani,
Florence Fabricant, Mary Ewing-Mulligan MW, Piero Antinori, Jacopo Biondi
Santi, Pio Boffa (Pio Cesare), Matthew Lunelli (Ferrari) Chiara Lungarotti,
Lucio Tasca, Sirio Maccioni, Gualtiero Marchesi, Giovanni Rana, Vittorio Assaf
and Fabio Granato.
An elegant, colorful
catalogue was specially prepared for the GALA ITALIA containing detailed
information on all of the wines, the participating companies, and the honorees.
Over 2,000 copies were distributed to guests in attendance, and were
subsequently sent to the principal trade representatives across the United States.
The GALA ITALIA was
organized by the Italian Wine & Food Institute with the support of the
Ministry of Economic Development and ICE-Italian Trade Commission.
For information please
contact the Italian Wine & Food Institute: Tel.: 212-867-4111 - Email:iwfi@aol.com - www.iwfinews.com
Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com
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