Italian Dinner

Hosts: Jean and Dale


Starters

Arancini

Variety of Italian Olives

Fava Bean Arugula & Fava Bean Crostini

Followed by:

Beet Ravioli with Sage/Poppy Seed Butter

Main Course:

Italian Stuffed Flank Steak

(stuffing includes spinach, prosciutto, roasted red bell peppers, parmesan)

Asparagus & Parmesan Puddings 

Finale

Cassata Siciliana

(Almond cake with ricotta, dried apricot and dried cherry filling

with marzipan crown)

Zabaglione Gelato

1. Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2008

2. Matteo Correggia: Roero Arneis DOCG 2008

3. Terlan Alto Adige Pinot Noir 2008 (DOC)

4. Veglio Barolo 2003 (DOCG)

5. Silvio Grasso Barolo Pi Vigne 2004 (DOCG)

6. Dessert wine: Villa Artimino Vin Santo Di Carmignano (DOC) (Tuscany)

Wines

We are asking that you bring wines from Italy and, if possible, varieties that are new to you/the group. 

Mark, Dorte, John, Monique: Because there are so many Italian varietals, we are asking you to bring two wines to accompany a particular course.  We would like you to bring either:

Two wines, same varietal to allow a mini-taste testing or two wines, different but less usual varietals, to expand our wine tasting experience.

Starters leading into the pasta course: Mark, Dorte

Main Course: John, Monique

Pasta/Dessert: Doug, Peg

Brief Italian Wine Information:

Italy has 95 provinces and wine is grown in every region

Growing conditions: Italy has multiple altitudes, sun exposures, soil types, microclimates

Grape varieties: over 1000

Wine varietals: over 100

Quality: Italy follows the system of Controlled Origins used by other European countries:

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

This classification denotes the highest quality recognition for Italian wines. It is comprised of a relatively limited number of first-class wines.

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)

Basically the equivalent of the French wine classification, Appellation d'Origine Controlee (AOC). Wines that fall under the DOC category must be made in specified, government defined zones, in accordance to particular regulations that are intended to preserve the wine's character that is uniquely derived from Italy's individual regions.

Table Wine Categories

Indicazione di Geografica Tipica (IGT)

These table wines are often ubiquitous wines that are grown in a specific geographical growing region. However, there are exceptions - some of Italy's best wines do fall under this category just to avoid more stringent regulations associated with DOC or DOCG.

Vino Da Tavola (VdT)

This designates wines that reside firmly on the "low end" of the totem pole. Comprised of Italian table wines, whose only criteria is that they must be produced somewhere in Italy.

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