A Tour of Italy with Batasiolo Wines

This week we welcomed "Batasiolo" wines from Italy! Italy is one of the most famous winemaking regions in the entire world. Additionally, Italy is known for growing more varietals than any other country- you could actually have a completely different wine each day of the year! With so much to explore, Friends of Wine was lucky to experience some delicious tastes of a few of the great wines that Italy has to offer.


Ricardo March, US Director for Batasiolo and FIU Alumnist, (that's right, go Panthers!), lead our seminar this week and gave us insight into Italy's beautiful world of wines. His passion was as infectious as his knowledge for Italian wines was extensive.

He began the tasting of Batasiolo wines with "Gavi" which is often referred to as Cortese di Gavi, that is located in the southeast part of Italy's Piemonte region. Gavi's dry white wine is made from the cortese grape, and is regarded as one of Italy's best. This straw-yellow wine with greenish highlights and fresh, elegant taste would pair perfectly with oysters, as we agreed at the seminar.

Next, students were lead into the southwest section of Piemonte with a Dolcetto D'alba. Dolcetto is a red wine grape whose name translates to "little sweet one." These wines should be drunk young as they do not undergo any aging process. Its nice level of tannin and acid content makes it ready for drinking in the spring following the harvest. This is a perfect everyday red wine, as it is very silky over the tongue and easy to drink.

Lastly, Ricardo was kind enough to share with us two Barolos, the "King" of Italian wines! The grape used to produce these wines is Nebbiolo. The DOCG (which means "Controlled Denomination of Origin") require Barolo wines to age for a minimum of 3 years, two of which must be in wooden barrels. These beautiful wines are meant to last around 20 years. As they age, their tannins will soften. Barolo wines often acquire an earthy, truffly, and chocolate-like characteristics.

As if tasting these wines wasn't enough of a gift, Ricardo generously distributed several bottles of these prized Batasiolo wines to the students in attendance. Hopefully they will pop the cork to commemerate a special day, as these wines are definitely something to celebrate!

CHEERS!

 

 

 

If you had to miss out on this wonderful journey through Italy, please join us next time as

 Friends of Wine

explores Argentina!

 

 

FIU Friends of Wine craft beer tasting with Brown Distributing

Last night our guest speaker was Dave Crisafi from Brown Distributing. Dave took us through an extensive lineup of craft beers within the Brown portfolio. Our good friend Matt Weintraub, the new BREW FIU Research Assistant let us hold our seminar in the BREW FIU lab and treated us to BREW FIU beer bread as a pairing with the beers....when in Rome....

Matt Weintraub, BREW FIU Research Assistant

can't have beer without peanuts

Dave Crisafi, Brown Distributing
Dave took the class on an educational tasting of craft beers; and just like a wine tasting, we started with the lighter beers and sipped our way to the heavier, darker beers; Pilsner, Wheat Ale, Belgium Ale, IPA, Imperial Red IPA and ended with a dark milk stout. 

Brown Distributing craft beer lineup

BREW FIU beer bread

chocolate and beer pairing

the pour

Friends of Wine Presents "GODIVA"

The famous story of Lady Godiva is the inspiration behind the Godiva Chocolatier name.

In the 11th century, Lady Godiva and her husband Lord Leofric lived in Coventry, England. Lord Leofric was a powerful ruler who was unsympathetic to the citizens of his kingdom. Lady Godiva, however, was a woman of great generosity who had dedicated her life to the impoverished and stricken.

When Lord Leofric imposed a heavy burden of taxation upon his subjects, Lady Godiva protested. In response, Lord Leofric set forth this challenge: If his wife rode naked through the streets, the taxation would be lifted. Lady Godiva was a modest woman, but she immediately agreed to this challenge to help her fellow townspeople... Thus explaining the now legendary Godiva logo.

The Godiva tasting is all about indulgence, richness, pleasure and luxury. As guests arrived, they were greeted with a welcome cocktail. This welcome cocktail consisted of chilled Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Vodka infused with fresh strawberries. Our spread of food included homemade brownies, biscotti, angel food cake, chocolate kisses, and our very special chocolate covered strawberries. The atmosphere was fun and laid back, as we had our "hostess-with-the-mostess" SouthFloridaFoodandWine.com's Christine Najac. She has a distinct affinity for the flavor combinations of Godiva. This certified Sommelier who also serves as our resident mixologist, wrote all the recipes which were served at this event.

Now that we can close the chapter on this year's South Beach Wine and Food Festival, our doors are now open to many more guests who were unable to attend our wine seminars due to planning and prepping for SOBE. A big welcome was made to all of our new attendees, who we hope continue to join us on our voyages through food, wine, and everything fun in between!



In case you were one of the unlucky ones who were unable to make the "Godiva Extravaganza", we would love to share with you our Cocktail Menu for that evening and encourage you to try them at home and with friends! A little Godiva makes any night a special night... Cheers!

Chocolate Raspberry Martini

Chilled Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Vodka

Infused with fresh strawberries

3-Layer Godiva Chocolate Cake Cocktail
Godiva Chocolate Vodka
Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
rim glass with melted chocolate and coco-sugar
garnished with whipped cream

Godiva/Oreo Cocktail

Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
Godiva Chocolate vodka
rim glass with melted chocolate
garnished with an Oreo cookie

Butter Pecan Godiva Caramel Milkshake
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Half & Half
Godiva Caramel Liqueur

The next Friends of Wine meeting will be Wednesday, March 6th at 6:30pm featuring

CRAFT BEER!