L4
special feature
Vol. 05 No. 04 | Feb 16-28, 2017
Level 34, Hilton Pattaya
Italian Vino Extravaganza at Eastin Grand Sathorn Bangkok
Cuccina Italiano and Zenato Amarone Classico “La Bomba” by John K. Lindgren
T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday!) After encountering chock-a-bloc evening traffic we arrive at the towering, swank Eastin Grand Sathorn Hotel. (BTS access Surasak station). The ambiance at the SkyLounge on the 33-floor is sophisticated yet relaxed with a stunning panorama vista through the large windows. Gfour company a respected purveyor of fine wine & spirits and Eastin Grand Sathorn's Italian Luce restaurant is taking us on a wine discovery journey of Zenato wines from Valpolicella. Italian wine pairing with live culinary stations. A plethora of cheeses, polento, salami, risotto, tiramisu and much more. The wines: five distinctly different wines from
the Zenato winery, Lugana San Bernadetto 2014, Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé 2014, Ripassa Valpolicella 2012, Cormi Corvina Merlot 2010 and Amarone Della Valpolicella 2011. First sniff-sniffand sip-sip is the Lugana San Benedetto. Grape: 100% Trebbiano di Lugana. A full-bodied white wine yet fresh soft and gentle with a pleasant persistence in the aftertaste. Here excellently paired with Renga Con Polenta, Smoked herring fillet, grilled and marinated with bay leaves and served on grilled polenta sticks. And Moeche, Moeche is Venitian dialect for deep-fried soft-shelled crab. Next Bardolino Chiaretto. A dry chilled rosé, coral pink in color with a clean and fruity style. Fresh aromas of cherries and wild strawberries.
A match made in heaven with a selection of exquisite cheeses and salami from the Veneto region. One of the provinces is Verona known as the setting of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet." Wine, cheese and bread. A truly historical Roman triumvirate. Plus live jazz trio with a charming singer entertaining us with cool Cole Porter and smooth Norah Jones numbers. Another station over there. Tagliatelle All’anatra, pasta tossed with traditional Venetian duck ragout. Al dente and simply mouthwatering. In the glass Cormi Corvina Merlot. Nose: blackberry. Palate: Great minerality and freshness of corvina is balanced with the fatness and sweetness of merlot. A great Valpolicella red wine, full bodied with 13,5 alcohol content.
Ripassa Zenato is made by “repassing” Valpolicella wine over the pressed, withered grapes of Amarone. Wine critics have scored this as one of the top five Valpolicella Ripasso wines. What better match than a creamy Italian Risotto All’amarone. Traditional risotto prepared with Ripassa Valpolicella. In the glass a deep ruby color, on the nose it's fragrant with intense red fruit notes. Well-balanced, rich and with an extremely long finish. The Risotto cum Amarone wine, bone marrow and Monte Veronese cheese, served in a cheese wheel. Delizioso! Lips smacking, finger lickin' good. Before the evening's highlight the Amarone tasting/ pairing. Francois Aviloff, Zenato’s brand ambassador gives a presentation of the company and each unique Zenato Valpolicella wine. Drumroll... Then Luce's wine stewards uncork the Amarone Della Valpolicella bottles. “Ama-ro-ne” the most prestigious wine from the Valpolicella region in Veneto. As Zenato's winemaker Romano Dal Forno says “Power comes first, then balance, fruit and length, without power there’s no Amarone”. After a careful manual selection, the Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta grapes used in the vinification are left
to rest in small boxes and then gently pressed to create a wine of unsurpassed quality with great complexity that gets better with age. Amarone Della Valpolicella is a commanding wine, wellstructured and distinguished by its full and refined flavour and its high alcohol level. The Italian DOC regulations stipulate a minimum alcohol content of 14 percent. This big bold Amarone accompanied by Cotechino with Lentils. Traditional Italian giant pork sausage steamed in red wine and served with soft lentils (enticchie) to match the muscular Amarone loaded with meaty, dark, black fruits, chewy raisins, mocha and balanced acidity. No wonder they call it “La Bomba”. The evening ends on a savory high sweet note. Mini tiramisu and selected macaroons plus Luce’s signature panna cotta. All invited guests, foodies and wine aficionados agree. It's been a glorious event and exceptional value at 1,490 baht net per person. Bravissimo! Eccellente! Eastin Grand Sathorn's Luce restaurant is highly recommended. Zenato Valpolicella wines are also available through GFour Wine & Spirit Company. In Vino Veritas