HENRIETTA IS HUNGRY

The line ran about a block long, eager New Yorker’s standing in freezing temperatures for a taste of the best that Italian wine has to offer at the Metropolitan Pavilion on January the 25th. We hurried in, like cattle to the slaughter, picked up our commemorative wine glasses and Slow Wine Guide and trudged through the throngs of tasters present. A copy of my favourite food magazine Edible Manhattan was also given to attendees – WOW, talk about it being my lucky day!

L : Slow Wine 2012 - English Version R: Metropolitan Pavillion

The 65 makeshift booths, with wine producers touting their fare is a wine connoisseur’s ideal sanctuary. Hurdled together, we walked by producers with their wines and tired smiles – who schooled us on the joys and perils of harvesting Italian wines.

The wine selection was eclectic, here are just a few of those sampled:

Mossi Fratelli – By the Mossio brothers, whose estate in Italy with wineries like Bricco Caramelli churn out exceptional rich wines  like the Dolcetto d’ALba Bricco Caramelli 2010 pictured on your top left. It’s known for providing good value for your money. A heavy bodied wine with lingering  flavours of plum, blueberry and blackberry.

Bertani – Around since the 19th Century, it is revered for its vineyards as well as the fact that they use female vine-dressers (you know I love this – girl power!). We tasted the Amarone Della Valpolicella Cl.2004 – a subtle refined wine, fruity and elegant. The quality of this wine is excellent and the label is beautiful.

Bandini Villa Pomona – Known for their Chianti Classico in the Pomona area, as well as their organic viticulture methods. Chianti Cl. Ris. 2008  on the image above to your left; is fruity, has floral aromas and a defined savoury finish. It’s been awarded by Slow Wine a Great Wine status, which is rather fitting – I wanted more!

Boscarelli – A handsome wine, that is fermented in truncated-cone wood vats. The sample of choice (one that retails for about $70 a bottle) was the Rosso Di Montepulciano 2008. Very earthy, hints of spice and quite savoury, it was exceptional.

So many favourites but the ones described are what made me ooh and aah, long after I had left the Pavillion. After copious drinking, I had to grab a bite, so as not to regret my wine walk-a-thon. Slow Wine & Food events are held throughout the year around the world, be sure to look here and mark your calendars. Well worth it and you get to learn a thing or two, like – it is possible to sample 140 different wines without falling over yourself at the end of the night.

Most importantly, The Slow Wine and Food movement strives to educate the public on the significance of knowing where your food comes from, how it is produced and by whom as well as the cultural and social importance of food. I’d say that it is a reason to consider becoming a Slow Food member. A growing community of well-informed and aware individuals, with a common interest in the preservation of quality practices surrounding our food and learning how to be responsible consumers.