We turn our attention to Italy tonight when Roland Marandino, the Wine Ambassador for Cecchi Winery and Sartori Winery visits The Carlton Restaurant to present a “Best of Italy” Wine Dinner.  It is always fun to pair wines with Italian offerings because Italian wines are built for the table – complementing the cuisine.

We have three wines rated over ’90″ points including a blockbuster Amarone/Chianti comparison course.  This is an evening that will please the palate and Roland is sure to entertain and educate you about the world of Italian Wine!  Hope to see you here for a wonderful time out in Pittsburgh!

“BEST OF ITALY” WINE DINNER

With Roland Marandino, Wine Ambassador for Cecchi & Sartori
Culinary selections by Executive Chef Mark Swomley
Thursday, April 15, 2010, 6:30 PM
$99 per person excluding gratuity

SARTORI FERDI BIANCO VERONESE’07

KIWI GLAZED STUFFED SHRIMP
With Mascarpone-Ricotta Figs, Micro Green Salad,
Champagne Vinaigrette and Macadamia

CECCHI MORELLINO di SCANSANO RISERVA’05

GRILLED WILD MUSHROOMS
Served over Root Vegetable Strudel with crisp Pancetta,
Sherry Butter and Parmesan Arregiano

SARTORI REGOLO ROSSA VERONESE’05

VEAL RAGOUT
Slowly braised Veal, Plum Tomatoes, Spring Vegetables & Chorizo over Caccereccia Pasta with Fontinella and Dijon Cream.

SARTORI AMARONE CORTE BRA’03
CECCHI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA di FAMILGIA’06

TENDERLOIN BRUSCHETTA
Peppercorn crusted Tenderloin served over grilled Crostini with Arugula, Balsamic, Roma Tomatoes and fresh Mozzarella

SARTORI RECIOTO di SOAVE VERONESE

PANNA COTTA
With Balsamic Strawberries & sugared Tuille

Barolo is a section of Piedmont, Italy, southwest of Alba. While wine in Italy is timeless, Barolo came about in the 1800s when the Marchesa Giulietta Colbert Falletti started making wine out of Nebbiolo grapes. Nowadays, there are 3,000 acres of Nebbiolo producers in the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Cherasco, Diano d’Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, Roddi, and Serralunga d’Alba.

The standard grape used in Barolo is still nebbiolo. Of the towns in the area, the “left” hills have compact soil and produce long lasting wines. The “right” hills have softer soil, making a wine that should be drunk more quickly. Both vineyards are regulated – Barolo vineyards can only grow around 3200k of grape/acre.

The Piedmont area of Italy in general is ripe with history – ancient castles, legends of feuds and loves, beautiful hills and valleys. This is a great area to go both wine touring and vacationing.

Barolo alcoholic content is set at 13%. There are two grades of Barolo:

• Standard Barolo, aged two years in the barrel, one in the bottle.
• Riserva Barolo, aged three years in the barrel, one in the bottle.

Barolo wines are typically a deep red. Their flavor is thick and complex. Some are flowery – violets, roses. Others are fruit, licorice, or oaky. Barolo should be drunk at 60F and can age for 5-10 years.