Viaggio del Vino

On Friday evening, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg, we will be experiencing a special event featuring nine carefully selected wines from Italy. We will be pouring four white wines and five red wines representing eight different wine appellations from five different Italian regions (states). Our wine journey in Italy will cover Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto in the north and Tuscany and Umbria in central Italy.

The Wine List—Whites 

 Lungarotti Umbria Vermentino IGT 2023. The Greeting Wine. Umbria. Vermentino is high in acidity which makes it crisp and refreshing. The dominant flavor is lemon with pear and green apple. It is often said, “If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you’ll love Vermentino.”  This wine was produced with free-run juice. 100% Vermentino.\

Bersano Gavi DOCG del Commune di Gavi, Mirage 2023. Piedmont. Most Italians believe the greatest expression of Gavi comes from the hills around the commune of Gavi. Most American Gavi drinkers agree. The fruit for Mirage is hand picked from the finest selection in the vineyard. This wine is a bright straw yellow with greenish reflections. It has a fragrant nose, with refined floral notes and intense fruity scents of citrus and peach. Mirage is fresh, harmonious and elegant with a full and delicate body. The wine has a fruity and persistent finish. The Cortese grape is native to Piedmont. 100% Cortese. Wine Enthusiast 93 points.

Lungarotti Umbria Grechetto IGT 2023. Umbria. Grechetto is a grape native to Umbria. It is largely unknown outside of Umbria and only a small amount is produced in the region (state). This wine is a dry white. It has a medium-light body with medium-high acidity. It has flavors of white peach, honeydew melon, wild flowers and seashell. 100% Grechetto.

 Ca dei Frati Lugana DOC, I Frati 2023. Lombardy. The varietal Turbiana is native to the Lugana appellation. Lugana DOC is located on the south shore of Lake Garda. It straddles the regional boundary of Lombardy and Veneto. The winery and estate vineyards are located in Lombardy. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and it has a significant influence on the micro-climate of Lugana. When young, this wine is fresh with delicate hints of white flowers, balsamic notes and traces of apricot. Time enables it to evolve, allowing the mineral notes to be expressed with greater determination. On the palate, it has a significant savory essence, accompanied by exuberant acidity. Ca dei Frati calls this wine “the jewel in the winery’s crown.” 100% Turbiana.

The Wine List—Reds

 Fontanabianca Barbera d’Alba Superiore DOC 2021. Piedmont. The Barbera grape is native to Piedmont. It makes an excellent food wine because it is high in acidity and low in tannins. This wine is medium bodied. It has aromas of plum and cherry with the same fruit on the palate accompanied by spice. 100% Barbera. Vinous 90 points.

Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico DOCG 2021. Tuscany. The Sangiovese grape is native to Tuscany, although it is grown throughout central Italy and parts of northern and southern Italy. The Frescobaldi family has been making wine in Tuscany from the Sangiovese varietal for over 700 years. The grapes for this wine were grown in the Siena area and were all harvested by hand. This Chianti Classico is a splendid limpid shade of ruby red. On the nose it begins with fruity notes of berries and other red fruits such as cherries and plums. The floral aspects are very evident and are dominated by strong hints of violet and wild rose. This gives way to the spicy aroma with cloves and cardamom, and ends on a fresh, balsamic note. On the palate it is mineral with a silky tannic texture, while the finish is fresh and mineral. Sangiovese base with a few complimentary varietals. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Toscana IGT 2019. Tuscany. It has been said that “Tuscany was made for Cabernet Sauvignon.”  This may explain why “Super Tuscans” are so popular world-wide. Do not expect this wine to taste like California or Bordeaux Cabs. It’s different. This Cafaggio offers enticing violet and black currant aromas and flavors, shaded by accents of boysenberry, mint and black pepper. It firms up on the dense finish, where earth and spice accents add detail. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. James Suckling 92 points, Wine Spectator 91 points.

 Zenato Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC, Ripassa 2020. Veneto. In Italian, ripasso means “repassing.” This wine is vinified in the fall but a few months later it is poured over the skins and pulp of a previous Amarone fermentation. This “repassing” incites a secondary fermentation infusing the wine with a hint of the spicy, glycerol kick of Amarone. It is often referred to as a “baby Amarone.” All of the varietals in this wine are native to Veneto. This Ripassa is a deep ruby-red in color. It shows intense aromas of blackberries and black currants underscored by additional aromas of spice, pepper and a hint of leather. On the palate, it is smooth and viscous with well-balanced acidity and alcohol. 80% Corvina Veronese, 10% Corvinone and 10% Oseleta. Wine Spectator 92 points, James Suckling 92 points.

 Monte del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Casa Capitei 2018. Veneto. Rich aromas of spiced plums and blackberry preserves open the nose of this Amarone. As the wine develops, notes of dried leaves, roasted coffee and dried purple flowers begin to flow. The luscious palate is mouth filling with juicy black cherry compote, anise and clove flavors swirling on the palate. It finishes with fine tannins and lifted acidity. Drink now through 2040. All of the varietals in this wine are native to Veneto. Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella. Wine Enthusiast 94 points and Editors’ Choice, Luca Maroni 94 points, Decanter 93 points, The Wine Journal 93 points, Wine Critic.com 93 points, Vinibuoni d’Italia 4 stars.

We will be pairing these great wines with three small plates created by the Hilton Chefs.  Please inform us of any food sensitivities early by emailing the Treasurer.

You may purchase reservations on the Shoppe Page of this website.

        Members—$95

        Patrons—$90

        Nonmembers—$115