MONTELVINI Tullia Prosecco di Treviso Brut DOC, NV. I tasted this light sparkling wine at an Eataly luncheon. December celebrates Veneto wines at Eataly.

The Veneto, Italy.

December is a great month to celebrate wines from the Veneto region of Italy. December we celebrate the holidays, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It is a time when we enjoy great food with family and friends and are looking for exceptional wines to pair with fish  or are looking for sparkling wines to ring in the New Year without the gross hangoveR the next day.

I tasted some exceptional wines during a luncheon at Eataly’s La Scuola Grande. There the chef using Lidia’s, Mario Batali’s and Eataly’s recipes made delicious cuisine that paired seamlessly with the drinkable wines from the Veneto that were featured:

MONTELVINI Tullia Prosecco di Treviso Brut DOC, NV

ASTORIA Millesimato Prosecco DOCG, NV    (DOCG PROSECCO)

CORTE MOSCHINA

ZENATO Lugana DOC, 2012

CANTINA DI SOAVE Re Midas Soave DOC, 2012

CESARI Mara Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC, 2011 (a red wine)

The Veneto is the primary region for wine production in Italy. The variety of wines produced there is surprising. The Veneto produces whites and reds, sparkling wines to meditation wines. There are also niche-labels from small producers that are in demand and luxurious. Veneto wines are in demand globally. The region expots 75% of its DOC wines. The wines featured were so drinkable that I would enjoy them with appetizers, with cheese and with the full range and complement of meats including chicken and other fowl and certainly fish. They go down smoothly and are a great value. For NEW YEAR’S EVE, a Prosecco is such a tremendous value over champagne. My cousin recommended it for years and knowing little about great wines, I was a snob and drank champagne. Have you seen the prices of good champagne lately? Too rich for my blood. An expensive Prosecco is the greater value. A great and delicious wine, a great value. Why not?

U.Vi.Ve. is the Association or Consortium of DOC Veneto wines established in January 1980 to ensure the wine quality was the highest.

CANTINA DI SOAVE Re Midas Soave DOC, 2012 and CESARI Mara Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC, 2011 (the red wine)

Dan Amatuzzi, Eataly’s Wine Director who shepherded us through the luncheon.

Currently, Eataly is featuring Veneto Wines and is holding events each week of December. Check the left side of the page for the Overview of each week.

• WEEK 2
• WEEK 3
• WEEK 4

Lidia Bastianich’s Fritto Misto (Mixed Fried Seafood & Vegetables)

As Lidia suggests, “The point of a fritto misto is to enjoy the flavors and textures of a variety of fish. You can vary the roster of fish according to what is fresh in the market and increase of decrease the amount according to the number of guests you’re cooking for.” Also, the vegetables are now in season and can be swapped out for other vegetables that are fresh and in season. The Fritto Misto was delicious with the featured Proseccos.

Striped bass, medium shrimp, winter squash and fennel.

 Mario Batali’s Risotto al Radicchio

(Risotto with Radicchio & Red Wine)

 You can find this in Simple Italian Food by Mario Batali, 1998.

Mario’s risotto which goes well with Soave.

Eataly’s Veneto Wine Events.