The first edition of the Barolo & Barbaresco World Tour kicked off in Manhattan this week with a two-day event that included the first and largest dedicated wine tasting opened to the industry and the public and a Gala dinner at Eataly Flatiron on Wednesday evening.
Chef Bottura, Joe Bastianich, Dino Borri (ph Porter Gabi)
The tasting took place on February 4 at Center 415 Manhattan hosting 500 paying visitors and a thousand industry operators, featuring 148 producers of 220 wineries. The unprecedented campaign, organized by the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, included a projection of Langhe’s vineyards and dreamy landscape on Times Square mega screens throughout the week.
The closing gala on Wednesday night showcased the launch of the new vintages of Barolo (2016) and Barbaresco (2017) inviting wine critics, journalist, judges and sommeliers to score the two red wines before they were uncorked and presented during a seated dinner designed by Michelin star Chef Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana, considered the top Italian chef in the world. “The first time I tasted the Barbaresco was on a gastronomic trip with my brother in Piemonte,” said Bottura. “We bought the Sori San Lorenzo label that I still have in my wine cellar. I am so close to Piemonte because I grew up with it”.
Oscar Farinetti and chef Bottura (ph Porter Gabi)
The three-course meal started with a mini Burger made with Fassona beef and Fontina DOP cheese, dressed braised onions, bagna cauda and salsa verde sauce, served in a fun fast food inspired boxed container. A classic Bottura dish followed, Modenese meat and cheese-filled miniature tortellini served with an emulsion of 26-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Instead of desert, Bottura served a citrus risotto simmered in winter squash and Sicilian orange zest finished with Villa Manodori extra-old balsamic vinegar from Modena and dusting of burned orange rinds.
Italian television personality Alessandro Cattelan hosted the evening that closed with operatic pop trio Il Volo that performed classic Italian tunes such as Volare and O’Sole Mio, soon after the rating of the wines were revealed: 99.3 for the Barolo and 98.1 for Barbaresco.