Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Gala Italia's 32nd Edition Was A Night To Remember by Philip S. Kampe and The Italian Wine & Food Institute



                                                            Gala Italia's 32nd Edition
                                                            The Esteemed Guests
                                  Dr. Louis Caputo looks on as Kevin Zraly received his award
 Dr. Louis Caputo looks on as 'Wine Leader Awards' were given to Marc D. Taub, Piero Selvaggio, Joshua Greene & Kevin Zraly





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
       
       
   





No comments:

40 Years of Winemaking at Russian River Valleys Sonoma-Cutrer by Philip S. Kampe

 Innovation in Winemaking at Sonoma-Cutrer began forty years ago. The focus has always been innovation for this Russian River Valley winery....