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Italian Summer Wines: Whites and Rosés Perfect for the Patio with Rachel Erdman
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Come along for a delightful journey through the Italian countryside as we sample many delightful, refreshing white and rosé wines. We’ll discover classic Italian favorites perfect for warm summer days from diverse parts of the country including Sardinia, Puglia, Abruzzo, and the shores of Lake Garda.
The main focus of this seminar is wine tasting, and our expert will lead a guided tasting of six different wines – a selection of classic Italian whites and roses (see our Recommended Selections below for the full list), each with suggested food pairings. We will also discuss how to select these wines at a restaurant or wine store with confidence, and which producers are worth seeking out. There will be time for questions at the end of this live seminar.
Our expert will provide insight on a wonderfully diverse selection of crisp whites and fruity nuanced rosés, including their history, varietals, and production method. Suggested pairings of light summer fare – from a light insalata caprese to fragrant focaccia with fresh herbs – will be given for each wine. The white wines to taste along with your expert range from a classic method sparkling wine from Pinot Noir grapes in northern Italy, an elegant Verdicchio from the Marche region with zingy fruit and citrus notes, to a crisp austere Vermentino from the rocky terrain of Sardinia.
Together we’ll learn about the strong tradition of quality rosé wines in Italy, starting from the pioneer of this style, the historic Leone di Castris Winery. We’ll travel to Puglia to taste their exceptional summer version of the local Salice Salentino wine, called Five Roses, produced with the native Negro Amaro varietal. Our rosé wines will also include the cherry-hued Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, a perfect summer wine made from the Montepulciano grape, as well as a refreshing Chiaretto di Bardolino with unexpected use of the varietals typically found in Amarone of the Valpolicella.
Led by a certified Italian sommelier, Rachel Erdman, this interactive seminar will provide insight into many classic Italian white and rosé wines and what makes them special. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of these wines, their characteristics, as well as tips for selecting these wines.
These are the wines that participants will be learning about and tasting with expert sommelier Rachel Erdman.
White wines:
- Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico (Lombardy)
- Verdicchio dei Castello di Jesi (Marche)
- Vermentino di Gallura (Sardinia)
Rosé wines:
- Salice Salentino Rosé (suggested wine – Five Roses from Leone di Castris Winery) (Puglia)
- Chiaretto di Bardolino (Veneto)
- Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Abruzzo)
Participants may want to have a selection of cheeses of varying ages and charcuterie with bread or crackers, to pair with the wines.
Rachel is a wine and food expert based in the Veneto region of Italy, her home for more than twenty-five years, and a graduate of Boston University. She received her sommelier certification in Italy in 2009 through the Associazione Italiana Sommelier. Rachel continued her studies to become a cheese taster (ONAF) a few years—and many cheeses–later. She has led wine tastings and gourmet walks for Context Travel in Venice and Padova since 2007. She co-founded www.venicedaytrips.com, which specializes in wine and food tours in northern Italy, to share her passion for Italian wine and artisanal cheese with visitors from around the globe.
Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Little Slow to start but then it was getting pretty amazing to talk of the different areas and grapes. Actually, I was dying to go out and shop which I will do next week week with the name of my list. The food mentioned also sounded perfect.
Did not not know there was so much to learn about these wines, I feel as though I could teach my own class! Thank you Rachel...your enthusiasm never wanes!! You enjoy what you do!