Ferrari Trento, the Official Sparkling Wine of the recent 2016 Emmys, celebrated their sponsorship of the 68th Emmy Awards season with an exclusive lunch on Monday, September 19 at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air. Ferrari has enjoyed a longstanding collaboration with the Wolfgang Puck restaurants, and the lunch was hosted by Matteo Lunelli, CEO of Ferrari.
Never having been to the Hotel Bel Air and arriving early, I snapped a few photos to show other newbies what the grounds looked like – complete with swans, foliage, dining rooms and even the ritzy ladies’ room. From there I entered the area of our tasting to meet our host, Matteo Lunelli, and other #LAWineWriters. We munched on appetizers, also seen in the short video, and sipped our first wine.
Tasting Ferrari Trento AOC – aromas and flavors separated by ;
2007 Blanc de Blanc Perle
Toast, grapefruit, pear, white peach and Brie; honeydew melon, lemon twist, grapefruit. 91 Eve pts.
2008 Perle Rose Trento (80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay)
Strawberry, cling peaches, raspberry, pineapple; raspberry, green grapes, lemon lime. 93 Eve pts.
2008 Perle “Nero” Blanc de Noir (100% Pinot Noir)
Cheddar, fruit cocktail, white pepper; same fruit profile on the palate, medium acid with a nice viscosity. 92 Eve pts.
2002 Giulio Ferrari Riserva Del Fondatore (100% Chardonnay)
Honey, marshmallow, toasted oak, bruised yellow apple, Botrytis feel; same apple taste in the mouth, followed by a bit of Brandy and steely quality. Was wonderful with blue cheese. 94 Eve pts.
What I Learned
- In speaking of the Emmys Lunelli said that Ferrari Trento “brings Italian wine (and) the Italian lifestyle to an amazing event.”
- Trentino is located in Northeast Italy, in the center of the mountainous Alps, one hour north of Verona.
- The style of the wine is due to the mountain terroir, the Mediterranean climate during the day and the cooling at night.
- Lunelli’s grandfather acquired the winery property in 1952.
- The Blanc de Blanc obtained recent awards from Robert Parker.
About Ferrari Trento
Established in 1902 by Giulio Ferrari, Ferrari crafts bottle-fermented sparkling wines created with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes cultivated on the slopes of the mountains in northern Italy’s Trentino region, according to the regulations of Trento D.O.C. Ferrari is led by the 3rd generation of the Lunelli family, descendants of Bruno Lunelli, who purchased the estate in 1952. For over a century the winery has continued Giulio Ferrari’s uncompromising search for excellence in every detail, staying true to Trentino and its mountain viticulture in the pursuit of quality, and with an enduring commitment to sustainability. Profoundly Italian in craftsmanship and reputation, Ferrari stands apart as a symbol of the Italian Art of Living, earning the distinction of “Best European Winery of the Year” at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards in 2015. For more information visit @FerrariTrento or www.ferraritrento.it/EN.
About Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, Fine Dining in Los Angeles
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air features modern California cuisine with European and Mediterranean influences in a spectacular garden setting. Our chefs visit the farmer’s market every week and select the freshest, most seasonal items to utilize in our menus. Dine in the elegant dining room, on the alfresco terrace, or in the bar and lounge. Learn more about one of the world’s most esteemed chefs, Wolfgang Puck.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
A Teaser
“Downtown Napa has an energy that ushers in a more urban experience for the new type of wine consumer,” says WALT General Manager, Jeff Zappelli. “We found an ideal Tasting Room location in the Oxbow District that is directly across the street from the Oxbow Market and CIA Copia. The location is walking distance to the Napa Riverwalk, Napa Fairgrounds, and a collective of tasting rooms, notable modern art galleries, high-end hotels and renowned restaurants. Expanding WALT from the tasting room in Sonoma to include a second location in Napa allows us to share our quality Pinots with locals, Bay Area day-trippers and tourists alike as this area is typically the first stop for visitors entering Napa Valley.”
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