Giardini Ripadiversilia & Laura Aschero: JBF Lunch Wines landed from the Riviera Coast
TuttoToscana blogger, Emily Berryhill learns more about James Beard Foundation wine sponsors Azienda Agricola Laura Aschero and Giardini Ripadiversilia.
The James Beard Foundation luncheon will begin and end with a selection of the most representative wines of Northern Tuscany and Liguria. Wine Coordinator Camilla Carrega’s extensive efforts for over 7 months have cultivated successful professional relationships with the sponsoring wineries. “It wasn’t easy to inform potential sponsors of the academic, personal and professional importance of the event” explains Camilla, “but I immediately recognized their enthusiasm and their belief in the organization and opportunity.” Owner Paolo Svetlich from Giardini Ripadiversilia, Laura Aschero’s Carla Rizzo and US distributor Amy Ezring have adhered to the international and educational importance associated with the 2011 TuttoToscana event.
Azienda Agricola Laura Aschero, a Ligurian winery from Imperia will offer two types of wines that will be served throughout the meal: Riviera di Ponento Vermentino made of 100% Vermentino grapes and Riviera Ligure di Ponente Pigato made from 100% Pigato. Vermentino and Pigato grapes are extremely particular grapes grown along the coast, specifically in Liguria.
Giardini Ripadiversilia is located in Lucca, a historically important town of power and politics for Northern Tuscany. The winery’s Colli e Mare, will greets the guests at the garden reception aperitivo. Literally translating to “hills and sea,” this is prime representation of the TuttoToscana locations and theme. The second course of the meal will feature Vis Vitae, made with Sangiovese and reminiscent of robust earthy smells enhancing the herbs and natural flavors in the menu. A nice blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, which is frequently described with the scent of green pepper continues the fresh persistent garden aromas.
The three different wineries represented during this meal will literally lead the guests’ taste buds on a walk along the Riviera coast. These typical, local, coastal “grapes of the seaside” are an immediate gastronomic representation of the grape varieties of Northern Tuscany and Liguria. Both sides of the Riviera are well represented and the TuttoToscana team is so proud to present a menu that is so local and offers a harmonious blending of the two Riviera regions.
Rounding out the lunch wine selection will be Wine Coordinator Camilla Carrega’s family-produced Vin Santo Aetius, from Castello di Volognano.
About the blogger: Emily Berryhill is an undergraduate student completing studies in marketing, management, and hospitality at the University of South Carolina.
Photo credit: Meaghan Kacsmar