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The Italian Trade Institute (ITA) wine tasting was held for the 3rd. time on the occasion of the Italian Culinary World Week with masterclass for Italian and Hungarian business meetings. The Italian wine tasting seminar titled “Traditional and Quality” were present H.E. Massimo Rustico – Italy Ambassador to Hungary, and representative of the Italian Cultural Institute, the ICE-Agency Office, ENIT, the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Hungary. The “Wine & Food” workshop within the framework of the Third World Italian Culinary Week was held after the seminar at the Marriott Hotel – Elizabeth Ballroom (District, V., 4. Apáczai Csere János street Budapest. In parallel to the technical seminars, meetings were held between Hungarian and Italian producers, 11 importers, distributors, restaurants members and hotel sales, as well as members of the press.
Within the series of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade and the Italian Gastronomic World Week the ICE Office – Budapest invited Ms. Barbara Tamburini, an internationally renowned wine expert. In the first part the expert lectured on the emergence of the Italian wine makers, and then after followed to the tasting one-by-one from north to south of 10 Italian excellent wines, which demonstrate the excellence of Italian wine production.
The tasting hosted by ICE offering a snapshot of 10 Italy’s grand wines from Head-to-Toe … meant from North to South of Italy’s superb wine regions:
Number 1. Lombardy … Vigna Dorata Franciacorta Brut. Grape variety Chardonnay 80% and Pinot Nero 20%. The soil composition is alluvional morain soil of early origin with an extremely sandy structure and very frequent presence of moraine stones.The Vineyard comes from the village of Cazzago San Martino. The exposure and height South-West exposure with light slope, 230 meters above sea-level. Taste: vanilla and perfume fragrances. Franciacorta was the official provider of sparkling wines for the Expo Milano 2015.
Number 2. Umbria … Fiorfiore Roccafiore (2017). The grapes 100% Grechetto di Todi and organically treated vineyards at a height of 380m. above sea level are on the bottom of slate, chalk and clay. They are harvested manually. The vineyards have a South and South-East orientation. The winters in Todi are cold and rainy, the summers warm and windy. After the soft pressing of the grapes, the juice and the must get a natural fermentation, followed by a ripening on large Slovenian barrels for a year and in bottles for 4 months. It is best served after 3 or 4 years after the grapes were harvested. Tastes: golden apple, pineapple, small yellow flowers with very delicate sweet spice notes.
Number 3. Campania … Donnachiara Greco di Tufo DOCG (2017) The Campania wine region is in southern Italy. The region’s most prestigious white wine, made predominantly from the grape variety that shares its name. The Greco di Tufo grape is a clone of Greco Bianco and is believed to have been introduced to Campania by the Pelasgians, an ancient people from Thessaly in Greece. The best Greco di Tufo vineyards are found on the volcanic hills of the Avellino province in central Campania.The Greco di Tufo wines are cultivated at an altitude of 450 to 500 meters. Often typified by warm tropical fruit and a touch of oak. Aromas ripe citrus, nectarine passionfruit drive this style. Recommended with White Fish.
Number 4. Friuli Venezia Giulia … Aromatic Traminer (2017). The wine made in the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Once part of the Venetian Republic and with sections under the influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for some time, the wines of the region have noticeable Slavic and Germanic influences.The area is known predominantly for its white wine. Is internationally styled Merlots, The Tazzelenghe (meaning “tonguecutter”) produces a very tannic and fruity wine that mellows as it ages but maintains a good amount of its fruits such as: herbal, apricot, peach and pear.
Number 5. Le Sabbie dell’Etna … Etna Rosso DOC (2016). North-eastern slope of the Volcano – Sicily, the largest active volcano in Europe. The vivid ruby color of the grapes of the native Nerello Mascalese, implanted for centuries in the volcanic area of Etna, Nerello Cappuccio and anticipates a delicious bouquet where cinnamon, black pepper, cherries alternate and blend is really admirable. Soil is loamy and sandy of volcanic origin and mineral content, including phosphorous, magnesium and potassium.
Number 6. Piemonte … Barolo DOCG (2014). Origin from Gancia dell’Annunziata farmhouse – Barolo. Grape 100% Nebbiolo. Soaking peels for 12 days. Fermentation in steel tub, ready maturation in French barrel for 18 months. Intense scent, mature fruit and rose petals.
Number 7. Toscany … Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Podere la Vigna (2013). From the region Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany. Grape Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica). Color dark-berried and it is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Smooth wine with Beef and Venison.
Number 8. Puglia … Primitivo di Manduria “Sessantanni” Corte Giara DOC (2015) …Editor’s remark … Pardon me … this was excellent – my favorite! Most Popular wine in the region Primitivo di Manduria. The”Sessantani” is made from the grapes of vines almost 100 years old, the oldest of the Feudi di San Marzano. Deep ruby-red colour. The fragrance is very rich, on the nose it releases primary aromas of fruit, ripe plums and blackberries, cherry jam, afterwards, spicy and fragrant notes of liquorice, sandalwood, cardamom, pepper, tobacco, incense and cocoa, It is rich, intense and explosive on the palate, but exquisitely balanced and elegant. A powerful wine with considerable body, but also smooth and caressing. The wine enhances meat dishes such as lamb chops, veal stew.
Number 9. Abruzzo … Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Teramane Hills Reserve DOP (2011). Grape type: Montepulciano. Garnet red color. Fruity and spicy scent. Intense and persistent taste, suggested with rich first course, red meat and medium and hard cheese. Awards: International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2016 – Silver, International Wine Challenge, 2016 – Bronze Mundus Vini, 2016 – Gold International Wine & Spirit Competition and 2015 Bronze.
After the workshop visited a couple of Made in Italy products around exhibitors tables … cheeses, olive oils, olives and vegetables, sweets, liqueurs and grappa by Italy, Italian coffee beans and tourist agency: suditaliahotel – Forio.
The report became slightly long so only highlighting one of the wine table … The Rosso Piceno D.O.C. (D.O.C. stands for = perfect for grapevine cultivation). Organic “CARPINO NERO” ZEROQUINDICI was pretty cool organic wine with low sulphite content and prepared without the use of preservatives, origin from Sangiovese vineyard which is located at Marche region – central Italy. The estate is still among the most esteemed wine producers of the Piceno wine-making region. The Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes grow on the clayey texture of the soil which determines in the wines the richness of extracts. The nose is perceived with strong notes of red fruits and sweet spices. Pairings goes well with pasta, meat and/or tomato sauce or with grilled meat and cheese. Received Award for the year (2016).
Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 