Gambero Rosso’s Masterclasses & Top Italian Wines Roadshow held in Chijmes Singapore!

It’s no wonder Chijmes is the hosting location for this year’s Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wine Roadshow! The layout of the hall is like a Hogwart’s dining room: rows of tables for endless bottles of the finest wine selection from Italy.

At the entrance of the classy chapel, I was served tiny and delicious pasta dishes from the Italian pasta brand, Barilla, which are made with fusilli and the penne rigate.

Held on 22th May 2018, about 1,000 guests came for the wine roadshow, most of them eager to try the approximately 300 wines from over 70 Italian wine producers. Those who were more interested in wine history, territory and how to tell wines apart, signed up for the Masterclass – there were three sessions. The classes were all filled to the brim; though I definitely did not expect any less from these wine lovers! I’m so thankful I managed to squeeze into the last class slot, which was held from 4pm to 5.30pm.

The Masterclass was hosted by Mr Marco Sabellico, who is Gambero Rosso’s wine expert. In a suave (I kid you not) and charming story-tellish way, he described each of the 22 wine samples from Italy, and I swept into his passionate discourse of the types of wines and their origins from different parts of Italy.

As a newbie to wine, I realised that there was so much I didn’t know about wine-making and wine history. It is an intricate and meticulous process, and when the tiniest fruit variations are added, they differentiate one kind of wine immensely from another. 

Here, I chart my experience with the 22 reds and 1 white. Some of the wine were impressionable, and for those, I made notes accordingly.

1. “Etna Bianco Fondo Filara 2017” – White wine from Cantine Nicosia winery, Sicily. I felt it was a temperamental drink with its strong, biting and a slightly sour taste. Quite dry.
2. “Etna Bianco Alta Mora 2016” – White wine from Cusumano winery, Sicily. Vaguely similar to the first wine.
3. “Astolfo 2015” – White wine from Assuli winery, Sicily.
4. “Ficiligno 2016” – White wine from Baglio di Pianetto vineyard, Sicily. It’s got a rapidity about it, quite fast in having its flavour bursting in your mouth as you sip from the wineglass.
5. “Filu 2017” – White wine from iGreco winery, Calabria. It’s not very fruity, and it can get a bit flat at the end.
6. “Vermentino di Gallura Sup. Monteoro 2016” – White wine from Tenute Sella & Mosca winery, Sardinia.
7. “Vermentino di Gallura Sup. Sciala 2016” – White wine from Vigne Surrau winery, Sardinia. This location is the classical area of production, the land is saturated with the richness that bring about the herb-ish and lemony taste of the wine being produced!
8. “Aglianico Corleto 2016” – Our first red wine of the evening, from San Salvatore winery, Campania. It is a strong and feisty wine.
9. “Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo 2013 – Paternoster” – Red wine from Tommasi Family Estates, Basilicata. It is citrusy, strong, quite punchy and rich. Sharp.
10. “Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cagiolo Ris. 2012” – Red wine from Cantina Tollo, Abruzzo. The d’Abruzzo grapes are dubbed the king of red grapes. The wine made from these grapes is deep, rich, super dark and very full. Concentrated.
11. “Taurasi 2013” – Red wine from Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania. It is deep and rich. Very dry.
12. “Castel del Monte Rosso V. Pedale Ris. 2014” – Red wine from Torrevento winery, Puglia. It is refreshingly lighter than usual on the palate. There is freshness, zest. No stinging, strong taste.
13. “Salice Salentino Rosso Per Lui Ris. 2015” – Red wine from Leone de Castris winery, Puglia. It is similar to rose wine, or sparkling wine. It is rounded and deep, full. Dry. Gives off the aroma of cigars and chocolate.
14. “Salice Salentino Rosso Selvarossa Ris. 2014” – Red wine from Cantine Due Palme, Puglia. Very rich, flavourful. A punch of flavours in the mouth.
15. “Orfeo Negroamaro 2015” – Red wine from Paolo Leo, Puglia. All rounded, deep.
16. “Oltreme Susumaniello 2016” – Red wine from Tenute Rubino, Puglia. Susumaniello is a type of grape found in Puglia, and they are really rare.
17. “Primitivo 2017” – Red wine from Tenuta Viglione winery, Puglia. Wrestles with the palate, but not in a harsh way, but a pleasant one.
18. “Gioia del Colle Primitivo Senatore 2011” – Red wine from Coppi winery, Puglia. It is a crisp and charming mix. Lively on the finish!
19. “Etna Rosso Diciassettesalme 2016” – Red wine from Cottanera, Sicily. Elegant taste. Smooth and subtle.
20. “Etna Rosso 2016” – Red wine from Planeta winery, Sicily. It is peppery and almost spicy. Slightly biting in taste.
21. “Etna Rosso Mofete 2015” – Red wine from Palmento Costanzo, Sicily.
22. “Mandrarossa Cavadiserpe 2016” – Red wine from Mandrarossa winery, Sicily. It has a strong, lingering taste of rich wine.
23. “Jasmin Zibibbo 2017” – White wine from Firriato winery, Sicily. Aromatic, light, floral, fresh. A light and lovely finish to 22 wines!

Other wine notes:

1. Don’t ever go to a wine-tasting event on an empty stomach! Well, unless of course they specified that they’d be serving the food!
2. Bravely use the wine buckets instead of swallowing everything down. Don’t feel like you’re obliged to drink ⅓ of the wine in the glass.
3. Remember to take notes as you’re drinking the wine, and not too long after.
4. Drink water sparingly.

Yup, and that’s all for the Masterclass hosted by Gambero Rosso!

Here is some information on the Gambero Rosso brand: In 1987, the first wine Gambero Rosso wine guide was printed. Ever since then, it has been an authority on wine, not just in Italy, but internationally as well. Gambero Rosso represent a guaranteed way for promoting knowledgeable, attentive and curious developments of Italian territories. The Gambero Rosso has become a symbol of wine excellence. “Tre Bicchieri”, or Three Glasses, is the benchmark award, an unquestioned reference point and a guarantee of premium quality all over the world.

 

Gambero Rosso

Website: http://www.gamberorosso.it/en/

 

Images and write up by @chowbaccas

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