In December, options look slim and chilly for aperitivo hour. In most places, bars remain closed. But sipping a full-bodied Nebbiolo or a lemony Carricante in casual company is still possible in a different format for wine lovers.
Since the pandemic began, many restaurateurs and sommeliers have been refashioning wine experiences by hosting virtual wine clubs and classes. Tasting is, after all, like traveling. And who better than the creators of the restaurants and cookbooks we love?
Italian Wine clubs and classes come in a variety of formats from monthly meetings and open classes to small groups and 1:1's. Most sessions are organized for maximum flexibility, so don't worry about commitment.
Here are a few recommendations for Italian wine clubs and classes to kick-off (or gift) an unforgettable Italian aperitivo hour in 2021.
WINE CLUB
The New Italian Wine Club: Hosted Monthly by Shelley Lindgren
Restaurateur Shelley Lindgren, from A16 Pizzeria, launched a virtual wine club in the spirit of an Italian road trip. (The “A16” is a highway in Italy.) Shelley was one of the first to sell Sicilian wines from Mount Etna in San Francisco. For the wine club, the knighted sommelier explores all regions of Italy. “Every month, we’ll select three bottles that show the character of a region. Tasting notes, regional history and a recipe to accompany the wines.”
Cost: $79 per month (three bottles included). Cancel at any time. Sign-up here.
GROUP CLASSES
Lalou Wine Classes on Zoom: hosted by Joe Campanale and Dave Foss
New York City restaurateurs Joe Campanale and Dave Foss discuss their favorite wines sold at their restaurants – exclusively natural, organic and biodynamic– and the artisan producers they befriended along the way. Named “Sommelier of the Year” by Food & Wine magazine, Joe used to invite Italian small producers to present their bottles at Fausto, his fourth Italian restaurant. He's also known for collecting “suitcase” amari.
“Sparkling Wines” Monday, 12/28 at 6:30PM EST
“Friuli Venezia Giulia” Monday, 1/4 at 6:30PM EST
Cost: $15. Wine can be purchased at the restaurant or drink what you have. More to come!
1:1 WINE CLASS
Katie Parla: Virtual Italian Wine Tasting and Italian Cocktail Seminar
One of the most trusted experts on Italian gastronomy and lauded cookbook author, Katie earned a master’s degree in Italian Gastronomic Culture from the Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata” and a sommelier certificate from the Federazione Italiana Sommelier Albergatori Ristoratori. Her tastings are optimized for personalization and palate.
“All tastings are customized, so I speak with clients to get a sense of their priorities, connect with their local wine shops, and then build a menu based on that,” she shared. “I suggest snacks to pair. Then we meet on Zoom and taste through the wines and focus a lot on the producers and history.”
Katie’s Virtual Italian Wine Tasting (By Appointment)
The world of Italian wine, with its 20 regions and hundreds of appellations, can be intimidating. During this tasting, we will demystify Italian vino by sampling an array of wines. These may be sparkling white wines from northern Italy, rich rosé wines from Abruzzo, or reds from Sicily.
Katie’s Virtual Italian Cocktail Seminar (By Appointment)
Cocktails have hit their resurgence internationally and one only has to think about classic ingredients like vermouth and Campari to remember that Italy has strong ties to the cocktail industry. This cocktail seminar places Italian cocktails in their cultural context and explores ancient mixed drinks, lost pre-war spirits, local spirit production and Italian-style cocktails. From classics, such as the Negroni and the Milano-Torino, to modern twists, a strong emphasis will be placed on the resurgence of cocktail culture today.
Cost: $150 for 1.5 hours for up to six participants. (Large and corporate groups are not included.)
For more information, contact Katie. And to learn more about her podcast, “Gola,” here are her favorite episodes.