Gran Galà della Grappa organized by Roberto Castagner, Monday evening, at the L’Alchimia restaurant in Milan with food/grappa pairing throughout the meal.

llustrious guests, journalists, opinion leaders, customers, distributors, restaurateurs, wine producers and friends of Roberto Castagner took part in a splendid evening organized on Monday evening by the master distiller at the restaurant L’Alchimia.

After Verona, the Gran Galà della Grappa stopped in Milan on Monday, November 25. The format, created by a distillation champion like Roberto Castagner, a well-known master distiller and founder of the homonymous distillery in Vazzola (Treviso), could only be a success. Contributing to the great success of the event was a prestigious location like the L’Alchimia restaurant, where the queen of spirits was the star of the entire evening, accompanying, with refined elegance, the sensory journey of the diners from appetizer to dessert. Guests included the director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, and the Olympic ski champion, Manuela Di Centa, as well as journalists, opinion leaders, customers, distributors, restaurateurs, wine producers and friends of the Castagner family.

After Roberto Castagner’s greeting, the restaurant’s owner, Alberto Tasinato, took the floor and, together with executive chef Giuseppe Postorino, explained how grappa has managed to carve out a leading role for itself over the years in a prestigious restaurant like L’Alchimia.

The evening will open with an aperitif with traditional Milanese mondeghili, shortcrust pastry tarts with creamed cod and puffed polenta chips accompanied by Casta Negroni made with Casta, the grappa created in 2017 for mixing, Bitter Castagner in which Treviso PGI radicchio is also infused and Vermouth Castagner made with Glera.

The Milano Treviso risotto with late radicchio and crispy sopressa was paired with the “Ronco Delle Cime” Friulano Doc Collio 2023 by Venica & Venica. The interlude with Grappa Prosecco Ice served chilled was much appreciated and surprised all the guests. The dinner continued with the Carmagnola grey rabbit in puff pastry and red pepper sauce accompanied by the Barolo Docg “Lecinquevigne” 2020 by Cantina Damilano.

The Tiramisu L’Alchimia was served with Grappa Fuoriclasse Leon Riserva 7 years, while the Criollo Domori chocolate flakes, an excellence in the world of quality chocolate from Riccardo Illy’s Polo del Gusto, were accompanied by Riserva 23 years, the grappa celebrating Roberto Castagner’s entrepreneurial journey. The story of the most iconic product of the Treviso distillery was brilliant and engaging, told by sommelier Sara Tosti.

The evening saw the participation of many women of value, such as Ornella Venica of Venica & Venica (Mario Damilano was present for the Barolo) and Cinzia Ferro, one of the most famous barladies in Italy, who verified the right balance of the Casta Negroni presented during the aperitif and, in reaffirming her bond with Roberto Castagner, explained that she believes in the importance of using grappa in mixing.

Manuela Di Centa at the end of the evening, on behalf of all the women present, recalled that too many women in Italy are still victims of violence and psychological discrimination. “Only a leap in quality in the education of our children – she declared – will lead to better coexistence relationships between men and women”. “It is beautiful to see so many women at this evening dedicated to Italian excellence where grappa gives emotions without discrimination”, concluded the Olympic ski champion on the sidelines of the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women”.

The Modigliana winemaking reality creates a historical reserve of the best crus, while planning the future starting from the presence on the territory, between integrated biodiversity and community development.

Ronchi di Castelluccio , a farm in Modigliana (Forlì–Cesena) that has made the winemaking history of Romagna and beyond great, celebrates 50 years . Since 2020 it has been owned by Aldo and Paolo Rametta who, together with a team of professionals, have restructured the winemaking and entrepreneurial project in a highly qualitative and sustainable way.

Born in New Orleans and raised between the United States and Switzerland, the desire to reconnect with their family roots and a shared passion for wine drove the two brothers to acquire the estate founded in 1974 by Gian Vittorio Baldi, who together with technicians Vittorio Fiore and Remigio Bordini – and the consultancy of Luigi Veronelli – created the first regional zoning project and one of the first in Italy, prioritizing quality over production quantity.

From a winemaking perspective, the main mission of the Rametta brothers was accomplished in the full recovery of the historic Ronchi , old crus literally torn from the surrounding woods from which the corresponding single vineyards are born: the Sangiovese Ronco Casone, Ronco della Simia and Ronco dei Ciliegi and the Sauvignon Blanc Ronco del Re . The vineyards were restored without sacrificing any plants, the traditional training systems were reinstated, the shortcomings were resolved by using the old ecotypes found in the notes of the agronomist Remigio Bordini, father of Francesco, currently responsible for the agronomic and oenological management.

“We have implemented a complex and ambitious agronomic plan through which to protect the identity and excellence of the historic Ronchis – explains Aldo Rametta –. The production of the single vineyards will remain clearly distinct from the rest of the selection, limited to a few examples and, from this year, partly enclosed in a precious archive . We will preserve the most beautiful memories and the best talents in liquid form of our estate, which we will also share with some selected clients and buyers”.

The other major project conducted by Aldo and Paolo Rametta’s team consists of a series of measures regarding sustainability and integrated biodiversity . New heads of selected cattle have been added to the cattle farm purchased in 2023, whose organic manure is used to fertilize the fields. New sheep have also arrived on the farm that naturally take care of the grass and a group of alpacas that will be involved in some reception activities.

“For us, sustainability is a concept to be expressed in pragmatic and effective choices, aimed at improving our relationship with nature and the community – continues Aldo Rametta –. Since 2020, we have been collaborating with the State Forestry Corps to clean up the hills of Modigliana. Together, we have planted cypresses, cleaned up woods and restored other green areas. A synergy between public and private that invites greater responsibility as individual citizens and as members of a community to be custodians of”.

With this in mind, Ronchi di Castelluccio, following an agreement with the local utility company, has expanded the photovoltaic system up to 2 MW, making it possible to satisfy the company’s demand for electricity and at the same time make the excess available to the community of Modigliana.

The 50th anniversary of Ronchi di Castelluccio represents for the company a moment of shared reflection, a further starting point to plan the future by implementing an innovative, responsible and far-sighted strategy. In this journey, quality and commitment to the environment and the community remain the fundamental pillars of the company’s mission.

Chiara Meloni wins the competition that unites poetry and viticulture with Ogni futuro primo sorso.

Five prizes were awarded, including the Special Prize of the President of Cantine di Verona and the Special Prize of the Jury.

Chiara Meloni from Perugia won first prize with her composition Ogni futuro primo sorso : a blend of childhood memories and reflections on environmental responsibility, celebrating the fruits of the earth with a magical and evocative language. The winning poem of the National Poetry Award Cantine di Verona , unveiled on Saturday 23 November at the Fucina Culturale Machiavelli theatre, will become the protagonist of the limited edition Idyllium , a wine selected for the occasion by the President of the Scaligero cooperative group Luigi Turco.

The competition was born with the aim of enhancing the link between poetic art and winemaking tradition, while reflecting Cantine di Verona’s commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity. The theme of this edition, In Search of a Sustainable Future: Acting to Preserve the Environment , has inspired emerging and established poets, gathering over 300 entries from all over Italy.

In second place on the podium was Sualen Riccardi from Ponso (PD) with L’uomo che piantò un ricordo , a composition that uses the metaphor of the flower to explore the cycle of life and memory. Raffaello Corti , from Bergamo, took third place with Il perdono , a composition that invites reflection on the human impact on the environment and offers a message of hope through the symbol of the bud. The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Gianluca Padrin from Santorso (VI) for Sussurri di natura , a reflection on the importance of regenerative breaks in a frenetic world. Albano Mazzaretto , from Longare (VI), received the Special Prize of the President of Cantine di Verona with Per un nuovo simposio , a celebration of wine created with love as a symbol of conviviality, friendship and respect for the earth. The winners and those with a special mention received commemorative plaques and a selection of fine wines and oils from the Scaligero cooperative winemaking group.

The winning composition will be printed on the label of a celebratory edition of Idyllium , a robust and elegant wine, obtained from Corvina, Rondinella, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, ideal when paired with grilled dishes, fried foods and mature cheeses. The limited edition will be on sale in the e-commerce and in the 10 company wine shops at a price of 8 euros.
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“Chiara Meloni’s poetry struck us for its intensity and for its ability to translate Cantine di Verona’s mission into words: to preserve and enhance the land. It is an honor to link her message to our label,” says Luigi Turco , President of Cantine di Verona, “in a competition born in 2010 with the name of Premio Poesia Cantina Valpantena , which this year is growing, broadening its scope as it has been for us, following the merger of the three cooperatives – Cantina Valpantena, Cantina di Custoza and Cantina Colli Morenici – into the Cantine di Verona group.”

Turco continues: “With the National Poetry Award we want to highlight the cultural link between wine and literature , uniting two worlds linked by a love of emotions, beauty and traditions. At the same time, this union recalls a cultural heritage that enhances the territory of Verona, where illustrious authors such as Shakespeare who set the love story of Romeo and Juliet here and Dante with his Comedy have set their works, inserting it however in a modern context”.

The complete list of winners and those who received a special mention will be available on the Cantine di Verona website .

Press Chefs, the event dedicated to Cuvette, the “gastronomic” Franciacorta of Villa Franciacorta, has combined good humor, cuisine, wine and journalism for the second year at Gustincanto (Fidenza, Parma).

“ Autumn Walk in the Villa ” is the name of the winning dish of the second edition of Press Chefs, a challenge to the last forkful that saw food and wine journalists , for once, put aside pens and notebooks, dedicating themselves to pots and rolling pins in the preparation of a “creative” potato tortello , under the direction of Luca Bagnoli, resident chef of Gustincanto . The professional chefs , usually the recipients of their reviews, evaluated them, objectively and without a spirit of revenge. Three teams, Green&Black, Emozione and Forever Green , got to work to prepare, respectively, three “signature” recipes: Autumn Walk in the Villa , Emozione Veronica and Non è autunno . The first was judged perfect when paired with Cuvette , the “gastronomic Franciacorta” of Villa Franciacorta. << Cuvette was a gift from my father, Alessandro Bianchi, for my wedding >>, said Roberta Bianchi , who runs the company together with her husband Paolo and sons Alessio and Matteo. << With Press Chefs we wanted to change perspective, asking journalists to think of a dish in relation to the wine and not vice versa. The result is a fun and exciting event. The challenge for the next edition could also include an anti-waste message, asking the authors to also create a recipe with leftovers >>, concluded Roberta, who hosted the evening with Alberto Schieppati .

The format of Villa Franciacorta , a historic company in Monticelli Brusati (BS) that produces exclusively Millesimati, was created to enhance a specific idea : Franciacorta is not just a wine for toasts or special occasions, but can successfully accompany an entire meal . The perfect demonstration is Cuvette , a brut vintage with golden reflections and a fine and persistent perlage, with a bouquet that recalls brioche bread and candied fruit, of excellent complexity and a wonderful flavor, which played a key role in the competition, enhancing the tortelli , the first course that was the object of the challenge and revealed to the competitors only at the beginning.

Press Chefs was not just a competition, but also an opportunity to underline the link between the two worlds , that of food and wine criticism and that of cooking, which, without cooperation, could not fully express themselves. The competitors, who during the challenge realized how much work there is behind a dish, were divided into teams of four: the winner Green&Black, with Alex Li Calzi, Camilla Guiggi, Elena Formigoni and Nadia Toppino; Emozione composed of Elio Ghisalberti, Francesco D’Agostino, Sandro Piovani and Veronica Fumarola and Forever Green made up of Alberto Lupini, Alfonso Mollo, Marco Lupi and Paolo Valente. The teams were judged by a jury of experts composed of chef Cristina Cerbi of Osteria di Fornio (PR), chef Carlo Bresciani of Antica Cascina San Zago (BS), president of the Italian Chefs Federation , and Luca Bagnoli, resident chef of Gustincanto . The pairing commission was composed of Chiara Marando, Lorenzo Caraffini , Riccardo Penzo and Stefano Incerti . Not an arrogant challenge nor a moment of conflict, but a game that wanted to unite with humor and irony two areas that are close and, in some respects, interconnected .

<< Once again, toasting with Villa Franciacorta means sealing unique moments and making them special >>, said Roberta Bianchi. << Villa Franciacorta, a wine to remember !>>