Hello my Foodie & Wine Loving Friends,
The Simply Italian Great Wines Americas Tour, one of the most important and prominent Italian wine education, guided tastings, and luncheons organized by I.E.M.(International Exhibition Management) and its Florida agency I.E.E.M. (International Event & Exhibition Management), chose to forge ahead with their popular annual event, taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of its attendees and representative, and kicked off its signature event in North America this year on March 1 in Miami at the exclusive Mandarin Oriental Hotel, followed by its debut in Atlanta at the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel March 3 before concluding in Riviera Maya in the enchanting El Dorado Royale Resort, March 17.
Simply Italian Great Wines took appropriate safety measures by limiting the number of participants this year, as well as providing socially-distancing tables and stations and mandating mask-wearing when not tasting among other safety measures in cooperation with each local venue and city per CDC Guidelines.
Marina Nedic, I.E.M./I.E.E.M.’s Managing Director explains: “Safety remains our main priority as we try to pave the way forward to present the great diversity of Italian wine to a live audience. Technology has been and will continue to be important in keeping us connected, but it cannot replace human contact. Wine has always embodied connection between people throughout history.”
The always popular guided tastings and seminars aim to educate on the vast variety of Italian wines featuring some of the most renowned and respected Italian Consortiums conducted by esteemed wine experts and professionals. For this occasion, the US program will consist of the following MasterClasses:
- Consorzio di Tutela della D.O.C. Prosecco.: “Prosecco DOC Dreamland: Rediscover the authentic Prosecco DOC and meet the long-awaited Prosecco DOC Rosé” presented by Miami’s own Master Sommelier, Laura DePasquale.
- Federdoc & Riccardo Ricci Curbastro: “Ricci Curbastro Franciacorta: Let’s Go Bubbly”presented by the charismatic James Beard Award-Winning Journalist and WSET Certified Educator, Lyn Farmer, in Miami and Atlanta while connecting virtually with Riccardo Ricci Curbastro from his Italian winery.
- Consorzio Tutela Vini della Maremma Toscana: “From the Mountains to the Sea…A Pristine Land: The Tuscan Maremma” presented for the first time in Miami by Laura DePasquale MS with a virtual greeting from the Consortium’s President, Francesco Mazzei, directly from Tuscany.
Following the seminars guests enjoy a luncheon expertly paired with wines from Consorzio Eden & Consorzio Italia di Vini & Sapori from the Veneto region.
Simultaneously, walk around tastings were held in a separate ballroom at timed intervals where importers and local representatives poured wines from the following:
Consorzio Prosecco: Antonio Facchin & Figli, La Gioiosa, La Marca, Le Rive, Masottina, Toser Vini, Valdo, Viticoltori Ponte.
Consorzio Maremma: Alberto Motta, Argentaia, Belguardo, Cantina “I Vini di Maremma”, Cantina LaSelva, Castelprile – Prelius, Fattoria di Magliano, Fattoria Il Casalone, Fattoria Mantellassi, Fattoria San Felo, I Cavallini, La Biagiola, Le Sode di Sant’Angelo, Podere San Cristoforo, Poggio Cagnano, Querciabella, Sassotondo, Sequerciani, Tenuta Casteani, Tenuta Montauto, Villa Pinciana.
Consorzio Eden: Cantina Breganze, De Stefani, Vinicola Tombacco.
Consorzio Italia di Vini & Sapori: Azienda Agricola Anna Spinato, Biancavigna, Cantina Colli Euganei.
Individual Wineries:
Abbazia (with Wine Lovers Distributor), Agricole Selvi (with Wine Lovers Distributor), Azienda Agricola Gualberto Ricci Curbastro/Rontana, Bennati (with Wine Lovers Distributor), Cantine Nicosia, Emilia Wine (with Grapes and More), Federdoc, Feudi di San Gregorio (with Orfe Mèxico), Fontana delle Selve (with Top Wines), Il Poggiarello (with Top Wines), Jako Wine and Ronco Margherita (with Grapes and More).
While I had the opportunity to sample many varietals of wine throughout the day, the star of show was definitely Prosecco Rosé, so light and refreshing and just the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. “This is going to be THE wine of the summer”, touted Master Sommelier Laura DePasquale, and I definitely will be doing my part to contribute to that statistic! lol
If you missed this great event, don’t fret, the organizers just announced a second date to be held again in Miami at the Mandarin Oriental on March 24th with educational wine tastings from 10am – 1:15pm, and lunch walk around guided tastings from 1-3pm. So if you are in the wine business or are a wine writer and missed this earlier event, be sure to reach out to I.E.E.M. to request an invite by writing to [email protected] or by calling 305-937-2488.
ABOUT I.E.E.M.: (International Event & Exhibition Management), the Miami-based branch of I.E.M. (International Exhibition Management), is a comprehensive agency specializing in marketing, event production and public relations for the wine industry. Driven by a passion for trade shows and a flair for flawless organization, I.E.M. was founded in 1999 by industry veterans Giancarlo Voglino and Marina Nedic. A reputation for reliably delivering high-quality events, coupled with its extensive network of wine trade professionals and international media, places IEEM/IEM among the most highly regarded Italian wine event organizers in the world. Learn more by visiting www.ieemusa.com.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL: 500 Brickell Key Drive, FL 33131
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL: 75 14th Street, GA 30309
EL DORADO ROYALE: Carratera Cancun – Tulum 45, Riviera Maya, QR 77710
Until we eat (and drink) again…
I send you delicious wishes,
xo,
Denise
