Italian Wine Festival 2024

Celebrate the art of pairing with Luciano’s Italian Wine Festival, where our award-winning wine selection meets the heart of Italian culture! From November 11 to December 8, together we'll explore a new wine category each week—from robust reds to rosés, sparkling, and white wines. Each week features two carefully chosen Italian wines with pairing recommendations from our Executive Chef and Sommelier, designed to complement your meal and enrich your understanding of Italian wine.

Discover the stories behind each wine, the vineyard, and the region. Join us to savor, learn, and elevate your dining experience. Reserve your table and let us guide you through the best of Italy’s wine heritage. 🥂 

Stay Tuned for more details on social media and through our mailing list—each week brings a new experience!

WEEK 1
RED WINES

Italian Wine Festival kicks off with a tribute to Italian reds! This week, savor two exquisite selections: the Avanti Pinot Nero, Tre Venezie, 2022 and the Zenato Valpolicella Ripasso, Ripassa Superiore, Veneto 2019. Each of these bold reds has been carefully chosen to pair perfectly with our Italian dishes, offering an elevated dining experience crafted by our Corporate Chef and Sommelier.

Avanti Pinot Nero, Tre Venezie, 2022

This Pinot Nero showcases the elegance of Northern Italian winemaking. Light to medium-bodied, it offers a bouquet of fresh red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, with subtle hints of violet and a touch of earthiness. Its balanced acidity and soft tannins make it incredibly versatile, while its smooth, delicate finish lingers on the palate.

Pairing recommendation by our Corporate Chef & Corporate Sommelier:
SCOTTISH SALMON OREGANATA

The Avanti Pinot Nero's bright acidity and refined structure perfectly complement the richness of salmon. The wine’s fruit-forward profile elevates the fish’s natural flavors without overpowering them, making for a harmonious and delightful pairing.

Vintage: 2022

Country: Italy

Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia

Grape variety: Pinot Nero

Soil: Volcanic origin – Sandy

Vinification and aging: The grapes are pressed and destemmed, then introduced into automatic fermentation vats with selected yeasts. Maceration lasts about 8 days at a controlled temperature. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks.

Zenato, Valpolicella Ripasso, Ripassa, Superiore, Veneto 2019

This is a rich, medium- to full-bodied wine known for its deep fruit flavors like black cherry, plum, and blackberry, along with hints of spice, leather, and dried herbs. The "Ripasso"* method gives the wine more complexity and depth, making it an excellent match for hearty dishes.

Pairing recommendation by our Corporate Chef & Corporate Sommelier:
GORGONZOLA CRUSTED FILLET

The wine’s rich, velvety body and intense flavors balance the boldness of the dish. The Ripasso’s dark fruit notes, like blackberry and cherry, and its hints of spice and earthiness enhance the filet's savory, umami flavors. Meanwhile, the wine's structured tannins complement the creamy, tangy richness of the Gorgonzola crust, cutting through the cheese’s richness and bringing balance to the pairing. Additionally, the wine's subtle raisin and chocolate undertones add depth to the dish, creating a luxurious, full-flavored dining experience.

Vintage: 2019

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC

Grape Variety: Primarily Corvina, with Rondinella and a small percentage of other local varieties

Soil: Predominantly calcareous and clay-rich soils, contributing to structure and minerality in the wine

Vinification and Aging: The wine is crafted using the Ripasso method, where it undergoes a second fermentation on the pomace of dried Amarone grapes, adding richness and complexity. Following this process, the wine is aged in oak barrels, which enhances its structure and integrates its deep, ripe fruit flavors with subtle hints of spice and earth. Finally, it is bottle-aged, allowing the flavors to harmonize and develop further.