Ancient roots, modern traditions

    ONE OF BANGKOK’S leading restaurants joined up with the oldest wine producer in Tuscany early this week for a pairing of grapes and gourmet dishes that delighted all the senses.
    Hosted by Rossini’s, the dinner introduced the wines of Marchesi Antinori, one of Italy’s most famous wineries that can trace its history back to 1385. The family owned vineyards in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, just 20 minutes from Florence, are renowned for their fine reds and for starting the Super Tuscan revolution with their Tignanello, which is considered one of the world’s greatest wines.
    For the one-night-only wine pairing dinner, Rossini’s talented Sicilian chef and certified sommelier, Gaetano Palumbo, created a menu to complement a selection of outstanding Italian wines, kicking off proceedings with savoury canapes complemented by the sparkling Antinori Cuvee Royale Franciacorta DOCG NV, which boasts a complex palate and lingering mineral-infused finish.
The first dish on the menu of refined modern cuisine was rosemary smoked salmon with Parmesan cream, sweet pickled baby onions and onion powder, which was paired with Cervaro Della Sala, Umbria IGT-2013. Thanks to the cool growing season, the wine is characterised by a notable vigour and crispness while maintaining a Mediterranean character. Its nose shows notes of chamomile, honey and flint. The palate is mineral in character with buttery vanilla notes that blend elegantly with flavours of tropical and citrus fruit. The vibrant yellow wine really brightened the dish with its citrus, tropical fruit notes and appealed to the herbaceous ingredients.

Smoked salmon and Parmesan cream
    Next up was carnaroli rice risotto with green peas and braised beef cheek served with Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Tignanello DOCG 2013, a rounded, full-bodied wine produced from Sangiovese and Cabernet grapes. The balanced tannins cut the creaminess of the cheese and the rice, while the ripe, layering nose complimented the mustiness of the braised beef, making it a very pleasant match.

Risotto and braised beef cheek
    The highlight of the evening was Palumbo’s succulent lamb loin with cannellini beans and pancetta, served with another red, Tignanello Toscana IGT 2013, which was ranked number eight in the Top 100 Wines by Wine Spectator magazine and praised as an “iconic wine.” One of the best known and most revered Italian wines, Tignanello Toscana IGT 2013 is a Cabernet-Sangiovese blend sporting earthy minerality, sensual dark fruit notes and a faint spiciness that makes it a decent match with slightly gamey meat. Its well-balanced finish also left the palate cleansed.

Succulent lamb
    The feast ended with the delicious dark chocolate mousse and coffee granite, paired with Muffato della Sala IGT 2009, an artistic blend of 60-per-cent Sauvignon Blanc and 40-per-cent Grechetto, Semillon, Traminer and Riesling. Muffato della Sala is produced with grapes affected by the so-called “noble rot” and picked towards the beginning of November when early morning fogs favour the development of the rot on the grape berries. This type of mould, or “muffa” in Italian, reduces the water content of the grapes and concentrates sugar and aromas, conferring a balanced and unmistakable flavour, yielding aromas of dried and candied fruit, nuts, and yellow flowers. Sweet on the palate, the wine is balanced by a highly pleasurable and invigorating freshness.
    Designed in the style of a Tuscan villa, the award-winning Rossini’s ensures that diners enjoy a unique and memorable dining experience. Over the years the restaurant has championed some of the world’s most accomplished chefs and introduced Bangkok diners to exceptional modern Italian cuisine at its gourmet wine dinners. Diners can also enjoy wines from “PrimoVino by Rossini’s”, recipient of the prestigious international “Wine Spectator Award of Excellence” and winner of the coveted “Best International Hotel Wine List”.

Rossini’s is at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Call (02) 649 8364 or visit www.RossinisBangkok.com.
For more about Marchese Antinori wines, go to www.Antinori.it.