The Central Coast Wine Classic takes VINO LAS VEGAS on an early morning visit to Italy with Italian Wine Merchants and Christy Canterbury , DWS , CS

Unlike some events we have attended over the years, The Central Coast Wine Classic pretty much covers the world of food and wine.

With the early morning fog still hovering over the Dolphin Bay resort we entered our tent and were transported to Italy and a seminar Italian Wine, Passion on the Vine hosted by Christy Canterbury, DWS, and CS

With more than 2,000 grape varieties and 27,000 producers, the Italian wine world is a challenge to professionals and enthusiasts as well.

Christy explained our Menu dell’ Assaggio which featured six amazing Italian wines and we began our early morning journey through Italy.

Murgo 2007 Brut Rose Sicilia – Nerello Mascalese

This Estate has been producing wines since 1850 , and is located very close to Mt Etna and its Volcanic sands which impact the minerality of the wine. This lovely metodo classico showed us delicate flowers and crisp apples providing us a great way to start the day.

Movia 2007 Lunar Friuli/Brda –Ribolla Gialla

Movia has been producing wine for more that three centuries. This wine is unfiltered and Bio Dynamic as well showing the Kristancic family’s non interventinalist approach to wine making . On the palate , the wine was clean with intense minerals and floral notes on the nose as well.

Gravner 2003 Ribolla Gialla Anfora Friuli –Ribolla Gialla

Josko Gravner is Friuli’s most profound and influential winemaker. The Ribolla Gravner is on of Friulu’s oldest indigenous vines and Gravner has plans to author a movement of reclamation of the varietal . Gravner himself stated “ This wine is best served decanted at room temperature and despite critic observations , is not a delicate wine”. We could not agree more. It was a real treat to have enjoyed this native Italian varietal.

Le Macchiole 2007 Bolgheri Rosso Toscana-

Merlot , Cabernet Franc , Sangiovese , Syrah

Bolgheri Rosso debuted with the 2004 vintage . This wine was a nice and mouth watering surprise to us with it’s French Blend and a touch of an Italian flair with Sangiovese in the forefront.

II Palazzone 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Toscana-Sangiovese Grosso

II Palazzone “ The Big Place “ is a small estate of only 20 acres ( 10 of which are under vine ). Under the right care , these wines exhibit an austere character and possess the ability to age very well. This wonderful Sangiovese adheres to the DOCG prescription of three years but extends the bottle ageing six to eight months longer than other estates. The II Palazzone 2004 was well structured and elegant.

Corte Sant’ Alda 2004 Amarone Veneto-Corvina , Rondinella , Corvina Grossa

Amarone is the flagship of Veneto and its shows in this wine that was perhaps are favorite of the morning. With the classic intense flavors of raisins , dried fig , spice, minerals and tar the Corte Sant’ Alde represents Veneto well. Gorgeous fruit and depth of flavor came through on the nose , palate and then a lovely long finish.

The Central Coast Wine Classic with its intimate , educational events moderated by experts in their field such as Christy Canterbury provide a wonderful way to learn , dine and sip while giving back to the arts .