The SOMM Journal

April / May 2017

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/807387

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 48 of 124

48 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2017 { event wrap-up } EVERY YEAR THE ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION presents a trade event that focuses on the wines of Italy. This year, it was a one-day affair held in a huge event space in Tribeca. A couple of days later, the same event was mounted in Miami. The opening night coincided with the Super Bowl, so attendees were treated to a 20-foot projection of the game, some very nice risotto, pasta and a selection of Italian wines—many of them—to sample while watching the game. The next day there was an even larger tasting, featuring hundreds of wines and three in-depth seminars. Two of the seminars were led by Ian D'Agata, the witty and extremely knowledgeable Senior Editor of VINOUS and Scientific Director of the Vinitaly International Academy. It started with a fascinating tasting of "Rare Grapes and Wines of Italy" during which some obscure but quite exciting wines from places such as Val d'Aosta and Calabria were poured. Next, there was a rosé seminar led by Jeff Porter, Beverage Director of the Batali & Bastianich restaurant group and Eric Guido, Wine Director at Morrell & Company. Rosé is hot right now and not just in the warm weather. The purpose of this seminar was to point out that there are many fine rosato wines made in Italy from grapes such as Montepulciano and Aglianico. The day finished with a Barolo and Barbaresco seminar led by d'Agata. The focus of this hour was to explore the great potential of Nebbiolo and the variety of wines that can be produced from this remarkable grape variety. I had the opportunity to sit down that afternoon with Maurizio Forte, the Italian Trade Commissioner, and Michele Scannavini, President of ICE-AGENZIA, who came over from Rome for the event. "The purpose of our wine program is to raise the price point of Italian wines in the U.S. market," said Scannavini. "Half of the French wine sold here is high-quality wine. We want to enhance the perception and the valuation of Italian wines in the American market." This event will certainly help in that direction. An Extraordinary Event ITALIAN WINES TAKE CENTER STAGE AT VINO 2017 IN NEW YORK CITY Seminar attendees at the "Rare Grapes and Wines of Italy" seminar, conducted by Levi Dalton, host of podcast, "I'll Drink to That! Talking Wine with Levi Dalton," and Ian D'Agata, Senior Editor of VINOUS and Scientific Director of the Vinitaly International Academy. The roundtable "Italian Wines and the American Palate: Trends and Opportunities in the U.S. Market" (left to right): John Gillespie, founder, Wine Opinions; Stevie Kim, Managing Director, Vinitaly International; Michele Scannavini, President, ITA (Italian Trade Agency); Joe Campanale, proprietor, Annona Wine and host of "In the Drink" on Heritage Radio Network; Leena Baran, Senior Manager, Import Wine Buying, Total Wine & More; Moderator David Lynch, sommelier, Editorial Director, SommSelect. by Anthony Dias Blue Hundreds of Italian wines were on display. The Grand Tasting. PHOTO: KELSEY SMITH CREATIVE PHOTO: KELSEY SMITH CREATIVE

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The SOMM Journal - April / May 2017