Posted By Joel on July 5, 2011

When considering the many wine roads to be discovered, Italy’s Veneto beckons to wine lovers with a wide range of stunning wines.

I recently had the pleasure of tasting the quality and uniqueness of Veneto wines at Wines of Veneto, an initiative organized with the cooperation of the Italian Trade Commission intending to encourage US consumers to appreciate Veneto wines and wine culture.

Held at New York’s Le Cirque restaurant, the Wines of Veneto program included a morning presentation followed by lunch and that evening, Cena Veneta, a special dinner featuring food and wines from Veneto. Italian sommelier and wine personality Aurora Endrici (seen below) was superb at illuminating Veneto wine culture during the formal presentation with good help from tasting panel colleagues Anthony Dias, Tasting Panel magazine; Gary Grunner, Grapes on the Go; and restaurateur Paolo Secondo of I Tre Merli and Barolo fame.

Featured Wines / General Tasting Notes:

Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Conegliano
Sparkling wine with a crisp, clean, fruity nose and silky bubbles. Made from the Glera varietal. Great alone or with food.

Lison
Elegant floral nose, dry, hints of almond on the finish. Varietal Tocai Italico.

Lugana
Delicately floral, flavorful and fruity, good minerality. Grape Trebbiano di Lugana. Serve with fish, risotto, white meats, cheeses.

Tai Rosso dei Colli Berici
Aromas of mixed berries, good transfer to the palate, soft tannins. Varietal Tai Rosso. Lovers of Pinot Noir will appreciate. Try with salmon, spicy food, fish soups, baccala.

Raboso Piave
Violets, prune, black plum, and spice, full bodied with good acidity. Grape is Raboso Piave.

Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Lison Pramaggiore
Bouquet of mixed berries that transfer to a full and round palate, finishes with pleasant bitter notes. Grape is Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. Good “complete meal” wine.

Friularo Bagnoli
Violets, cherries and spice on the nose, big on the palate, firm tannins and persistent finish. Varietal is Friularo. Try with cured meat panini, sausages, etc.

Amarone della Valpolicella
Cherries, herbs, hints of raisin and spice, full bodied on the palate, round tannins, persistent finish. Varietals Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella. A wine for important meals or alone as a meditation wine.

Colli Euganei Fior D’Arancio Spumante
Sparkling wine, sweet, hints of citrus. Grape Moscato Giallo.

Torcolato di Breganze
Complex tropical fruit layers, hints of herb, honey and almond. Varietal Vespaiola.

Recioto di Gambellara
Intensely fruity balanced by typical bitter almond notes. Dessert.

I would be remiss not to mention the gracious hospitality at Le Cirque which proved a wonderful venue for this event.

…Encourage US consumers to appreciate Veneto wines and wine culture???
Mission Accomplished !

I suggest you immediately point your browser to www.winesofveneto.com and begin the journey

Categories: Veneto, Wine
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