Grapes of the Italian Riviera 101
Kathy Martinez reports on the grape varietals that will be represented on TuttoToscana menus.
When people think of Tuscany and the wonderful wines that it produces, they often think about wines made with Sangiovese grapes. The Sangiovese grape is the “King of Tuscan Grapes”, being used with blends of other local and international grapes throughout the entire Tuscan region. The most popular wine produced with this grape would have to be Chianti. Unless you are a foodie or a wine lover the only reference that you may have to Chianti wine is the famous reference made by Hannibal Lecter in the Silence of the Lambs, but there are many more wines grown along the areas that also represent the Italian Riviera.
The phrase TUTTOTOSCANA literally means “Everything Tuscan”, and this year’s program is focusing on the specific region of the Italian Riviera, which runs from Northern Tuscany into Liguria. The represented areas are very diverse for grape varietals. Other than Sangiovese, Tuscan grapes to experience at TuttoToscana events are Malvasia and Trebbiano. One of the most important wines to come from the Italian Riviera is the Vermentino, grown both in Tuscany and Liguria. Pigato is a Ligurian grape to watch out for in the menus.
When asked why Vermentino is so representative of the culture and flavors that come out of this part of Italy, Camilla Carrega, enologist and instructor at Palazzi, says that the some of the most interesting food cultures come from the seaside. The same is true for the grapes that are grown and used for the production of wine. She also says “Vermentino wines are paired very well with the basil from Pra, a village of Liguria. “
Diners who attend TuttoToscana events will get a chance to taste Vermentino wines throughout their meals. Generally there are many Ligurian flavors present in the dishes to ensure that the wines are a good match
Here is just a little teaser. For the James Beard lunch, one of the appetizers that will be paired with the Vermentino is cecina, a chickpea flatbread with Riviera olive oil and rosemary. The diners at the James Beard dinner will also taste the Pigato wine with nettle and starflower pansoti pasta with walnut sauce. As a whole, the Apicuis team has worked very hard to come up with a menu that will represent the Italian Riviera not only with the flavors present in the food but also in the wine pairings.
Reserve your seats at a TuttoToscana event! Seats are still available at the Astor Center on October 25. Event details and ticket prices can be found at the Riviera event page.
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About the blogger: Kathy Martinez is studying Business and Hospitality Management at Robert Morris University in Chicago.
Photo credit: Image courtesy of Palazzi FAIE