To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first Amarone – the ‘King of Veneto wines’ from the Bertani family’s Villa Mosconi in the ‘City of Love’, Verona – Cucina, together with boutique wine specialist Cottage Vineyards, will host a unique 5-course Wine Dinner on 12 September 2018 (Wednesday).
Showcasing seasonal Porcini mushrooms, Chef de Cuisine Andrea Delzanno has created a special ‘Pride of Verona – The Amarone Story’ gourmet journey for the evening, paired with wines from Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, including the spectacular Amarone. All wines for the evening have been personally selected by the owner of Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, Mr. Guglielmo Bertani, who is the great-great grandson of renowned winemaker, Gaetano Bertani. He is the third generation family owner of Villa Mosconi Bertani, where the first Amarone was born in 1938.
Mr. Guglielmo Bertani will also share his family’s tragic story publicly for the first time ever after a long gentleman’s silence. It’s a tale that perhaps rivals Verona’s most famous – that of the two star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. The dinner will allude to the Romeo and Juliet story and Amarone’s Veronese origins with Venetian masks; a Verona-inspired menu; a live vocal performance by Soprano Colette Lam of two arias from Vincenzo Bellini’s opera, I Capuleti e I Montecchi, and a video screening of Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting’s balcony scene from Franco Zeffirelli’s movie, Romeo and Juliet.
The Italian Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Giorgia Norfo, will officiate the opening ceremony of the unique Italy-Hong Kong celebration together with Mr. Guglielmo Bertani, Ms. Ada Leung, Sales and Marketing Director of Cottage Vineyards and Mr. Dalip Singh, General Manager of Marco Polo Hotels – Hong Kong by “unmasking” (unveiling in Venetian style) a print of a newly-commissioned painting of Villa Mosconi Bertani, now consolidated with 100% ownership by the Bertani family under the name, ‘Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani’.
Every course of the special Veronese-inspired menu will feature seasonal Porcini mushrooms from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Highlights from the 5-course menu include the starter ‘Duo of the Lake’ – Eel Salad, Porcini Mushrooms, Orange and Slow Cooked Trout with Basil. The eel from France is marinated and slightly smoked while the trout from Lake Garda, the largest lake in northern Italy, is slow cooked to retain the freshness and soft texture. The fresh seafood pairs beautifully with the orange and basil, further enhanced with the flowery scents of exotic summer fruits in white wine, Lepia Soave. Tortellini with Porcini Mushrooms, Beef, Duck Liver and Smoked Double Consomme is the second course of the night, the hearty, nutty taste of porcini enhances the hints of red fruit and the subtler tones of dark spice of the red wine, Pràgal Verona. Next is the classic Veronese dish, Amarone Risotto with Pork Belly, Porcini Mushrooms and Monte Veronese Cheese, highlighting three cherished Veronese ingredients: Amarone, Vialone Nano and Monte Veronese Cheese. A glass of Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is an exquisite wine pairing. Duck Stuffed with Sausage, Porcini, Pistachio, Polenta and Amarone Sauce is an old recipe with a modern twist; the duck is rolled and slow cooked, combining the rich taste of sausage, duck and porcini. Amarone Classico della Valpolicella makes a superb wine match for this hearty main.
To complete an evening of gastronomic mastery, the mushroom looked alike Porcini Mushroom Ice Cream with Chocolate Sponge and Cheese Foam defines an impeccable ending. Every guest attending the Wine Dinner will have a chance to win Olivia Hussey’s autobiography The Girl on the Balcony signed by Oliva Hussey herself and her son Alexander Martin, bringing the evening to a memorable close.
Two of the dishes from this unique menu will be featured as seasonal specials at Cucina from 13 September to 12 October 2018, including the Amarone Risotto with Pork Belly, Porcini Mushrooms and Monte Veronese Cheese and Porcini Mushroom Ice Cream, Chocolate Sponge and Cheese Foam.
‘The Pride of Verona’ Wine Dinner-The Amarone Story’
5-course Wine Pairing Menu
12 September 2018 (Wednesday)
Cocktail Reception: 7:00pm
Dinner: 7:30pm
HK$1,380net per person
Cucina
Address: Level 6, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: 2113 0808
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