The Italian Job (Otherwise known as Armand and his Band of Bartenders on their Summer Break)
The Thames Valley & Southwest area trip to Italy started well. The Easyjet aircraft landed them in Italy on time! The group of 12 bartenders then travelled to Treviso, an early Roman town featuring magnificent medieval walls, and located about 30 minutes away from the town of Venice. For dinner, nothing could beat a tasty pizza to get them into the Italian atmosphere.
The first day’s visit was to the house of Cavit, a cooperative winemaker working with a small group of small farmer/growers who produce the grapes. Their host was Enoteca di Cavit who exemplified the company’s philosophy: Be the Best.
“The tasting was a real tasting” reported Armand, “and the wines were beautiful, especially some of the spumanti.”
Luciano Rappo (above, with Chris in the middle, and Claudo from Cavit) talked to the group about their premium products. Some of the red wines they saw include Maso Romani Trentino Doc Superiore, Quattro Vicariati (great with steak) and Trentino Doc Pinot Nero (great with roast lamb and a guinea fowl casserole). The Bottega Vinai whites include a Chardonnay and a Pinot Grigio.
After the tasting, it was off to lunch at the restaurant called Scrigno Del Duomo, then glasses of grappa had to be sipped, and more tastings.
The second visit was to the Montresor vineyard where Maria Vittoria Sassi and Danny Spencer were our hosts. The Montresor family has its ancient roots in France but they settled down in the area that surrounds Verona during the 16th century. The oldest bottle in their collection is a 60-year-old bottle of Amarone, a tribute to the art of wine making.
A very good tasting was enjoyed in the cellar: wine, sparkling wine, brandy and eaux de vie. Their products include traditional wines from Verona: Soave Classico, Valpolicella Classico and Brumaio as well as a charming prosecco, an extra dry variety. They’re one step ahead of the game with a clever business tool. They use satellite information about the ground, the state of the grapes, the weather predictions and anything else they need to know, to help them make decisions. Thanks to Danny Spencer at Boutinot Limited in the UK for these experiences.
The third visit was to Primosic, a vineyard with five generations of winemakers including Marko, Boris and Silvestro. Their terroir in the Oslavia hills in the region of Collio dates back to the 1800s and is close to Slovakia country. Refined red and white wines are produced in this luscious landscape. The native grape varieties include vitovska and ribula. The Primosic classics range consists of single grape varieties that are representative of the Collio region in its most traditional aspects: fresh elegant white wines and red wines full of character. Thanks to Umos Zorn, too.
They finished the day in, wait for it, the Sherlock Holmes hotel in Ostavia village. We also visited the Taverna al Museo, and the monument to the 6000 First World War soldiers who are buried in the town.
PAYING THEIR RESPECTS
THEY WENT THAT WAY!
The group also had a fascinating visit to Giovanni Puiatti winery where they toured the wine cellar and gained a fine understanding of the philosophy of the company’s winemaking. Only stainless steel is used in the process – no wood at all. The company also apply green horticultural principles in their approach to the business by recycling raw materials. Brands here include Oltre, Archetipi, Ruttars and Zuccole.
The private home of Giovanni Puiatti was the scene of one of the wonderful dinners Armand and his fellow bartenders enjoyed in the trip.
GIOVANNI THE GREAT HOST
“What a wonderful evening we had,” reminisced Armand, “between tasting and dining. The host was fantastic, a friendly humourist. We tasted everything on his list and in his private stock, while listening to expert knowledge.”
* Giovanni’s business card is cute: Written on it is “Save a Tree. Drink Puiatti. No oak aged wines.
For the next visit the bartenders were accompanied by Bruce Perry of Eaux de Vie to the Bepi Tosolini distillery. The host for the visit was Lisa and her family. The group was treated to a buffet lunch then went into the tasting, which included some Illy coffee liqueur grappa.
GRAPE SKINS IN THE VAT ARE UNDER CLOSE INSPECTION BY THE BOYS
Grappa has a valid place in Italian wine and spirits history, having been made since the 14th century. Made by distilling the grape skins left over from winemaking, the raw material is placed in small, steam-heated copper pot stills. The art lies in running the distillation process very slowly. New products from this distillery include MOST Acquavite da Uva, the foundation of the flagship line of the Bepi Tosolini distillery, and Moscato Rosa and Grappa Moscato. The MOST grappa is sold in a collection of hand-blown glass bottles created by world-famous designers including Pierre Cardin, Laura Biagiotti, Anna Molinari and Missoni.
ARMAND ON THE CHARM OFFENSIVE
One of the most well-known brands of grappa is Nonino, run by the Nonino family. On December 1, 1973, the first drop of single-variety grappa, Picolt, was obtained. “I remember holding the precious liquid in my hand. In those drops I sensed the acacia honey and ripe quince fragrances of the vines that had produced the pomace,” writes Giannola Nonino in the company’s history book. To turn the image of grappa around from a working man’s drink to one that can be served in a luxury dining room took years of marketing, and patience. Ultra-sophisticated packaging helped, too.
In 2004 the Nonino family returned to their roots at Ronchi di Percoto, the tiny village that Benito’s great-great-grandfather distilled door to door using a wheel-mounted still. Three wood and copper pagodas house sixty six stills, and there are plans for more.
The hosts for the evening were Benito and Giannola Nonino, with Elisabeth, Antonella and Christina.
JOHN TRAVOLTA (WHOOPS, SORRY, THAT'S CHRIS AGAIN) IN HIS HAPPY FEET MOOD.
“The evening was absolutely fantastic. Out of this world,” reports Armand, still with stars in his eyes. There are not enough words to describe the emotion of this event with the family.
“It was the best evening we have had in the eight years we have been travelling in Europe. We had fun learning about, and tasting, the new premium products.” All to the accompaniment of an accordian player!
The group also held a cocktail competition while visiting the Noninos. The winner was Gianni Albanese (Mr No Mistake) from the Rivoli bar at the Ritz Hotel, with a cocktail called Antonella, which contained Nonino chardonnay, limoncello, amaretto and Galliano, with a twist of lemon as a garnish.
The bartenders relished the challenge of showing how to combine the flavours of grappa with the liqueurs from Luxardo. In second place was Antonio Germani with his cocktail, Nonino Sisters; in third place was Ingrid Said from Great Fosters, with her cocktail, Bella Rosa.
COMPETITION WINNERS
The latest Nonino product is produced by distilling the whole grape. The Nonino Collection UE Cru Monovitigno picolit can be enjoyed at the end of a meal but can also be added to all cream cakes, cream in general and is great with fresh fruit salad. It comes in a clear glass bottle with a colored glass stopper.
After that experience came the visit to Luxardo with Matteo Luxardo as host, with Catherine Rigby of Cellar Trends in London. A very impressive tour of the site included the cherry trees in the fields as well as the cellar. The distillery is located in the mountains of the Padova region, with a breathtaking view all round. A pleasant lunch at a nearby restaurant was ended with a tasting of Luxardo liqueurs.
CASK VANDALS!
Finally it was to Venice for a gathering of bartenders at the Bauer Hotel, organised by Gennaro Florio, Head Barman. After a warm and friendly welcome, they group ended the trip with a glass of champagne. To end the end of the trip, a visit to the Florien café bar on St Mark’s Square (the oldest one on the square) for some fine Italian espresso. Daniele Brevato, the bar manager, is a friend of Gianni Albanese from the Ritz Hotel… thanks for organizing the meeting of professionals!
THE BOYS IN VENICE VICE.
Book now for next year’s trip of a lifetime with Armand Fasola’s Travelling Bartenders Show!
