Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1004126
56 / the tasting panel / july 2018 A lberto Malesani had a dream, though it wasn't a grand vision of thrilling last-minute goals or another crowd-frenzying champion- ship victory. No, his days as one of Italy's most successful and celebrated soccer coaches—though he is still a rock star in his native Verona—are so 2003. That was when Malesani retired from soccer and began working on his lifelong dream: to return to his hometown in the Veneto region (specifically the Valpolicella province) of Italy, plant indigenous grapevines, build a state-of-the-art winery, and produce wines worthy of a place on the wine list of one of New York City's most iconic steakhouses. Malesani clearly recalls the moment when his mission became illuminated. While hungrily walking the sidewalks of Manhattan, he stopped to peer at slabs of finely aged steaks hanging in a restaurant window that were waiting to be seared on a flaming grill. "At that instant I knew I wanted to make wine good enough to be served with those beautiful cuts of meat," Malesani says. "It became my goal, my passion, my driving force—one day I would dine on steak while sipping my Amarone at Bobby Van's Steakhouse." This May, in a private dining room near Times Square, Malesani's vision was fully realized. Among polished crystal glasses and silverware, bottles of La Giuva Il Rientro Valpolicella Superiore DOC and La Giuva Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG stood tall on white tablecloths at Bobby Van's. Gathered around the tables was a VIP group of trade buyers and journalists peppering Malesani with questions, his face beaming as we sampled the vinous fruits of his 15-year journey and nodded our approval. Hosted by Enovation Brands, the event marked the official New York An Amarone- American Dream A rare and precious nectar: A very limited amount of La Giuva Amarone DOCG 2013 will soon be available in select U.S. markets (Boston, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C.). Enovation Brands National Brand Ambassador Filippo Lapides; Alberto Malesani, founder of La Giuva; and Enovation Brands Northeast Business Unit Director Keri Kennedy-Morgan. Alberto Malesani's American dream comes true: La Giuva wines recently made their New York premiere at iconic midtown Manhattan restaurant Bobby Van's Steakhouse. LA GIUVA WINES MAKE THEIR U.S. DEBUT, MOVING GOALPOSTS AND SCORING A WIN by Cliff Rames / photos by Tim Murray ON THE VINE