Last Thursday, Nadia Galati of Alberello Imports arrived at our East Trail Naples location with eight Italian winemakers in tow as part of her annual barnstorming tour of select ABCFWS venues throughout Florida.  The 2012 incarnation of the ‘There’s Not Enough Time to Drink Bad Wine’ event was enthusiastically received by the nearly 100 guests who attended.

We were very pleased to have Alessandro Boido of Ca d’Gal from Asti, Alberto Passeri of La Gerla in Montalcino, Lara Pradal of Collalto from Susegana, Giovanna Tantini from Bardolino, Sara Perrucci of Academi Dei Racemi in Apulia, Antonio Giorgi from Oltrepo Pavese, Guisepe Nicolis from Valpolicella and Nicolas Caramelli of Fattoria La Ripa in Tuscany.  All of the wines sampled were exceptional and the perspectives provided by the winemakers priceless.

This is the second time in recent years that I’ve been fortunate to have these wonderful people at a wine event in my area.  We did a similar affair in North Naples back in 2010, which was also an unequivocal success.  After the tasting concluded last week it was off to my favorite Spanish restaurant, IM Tapas Resto Bar, to share a few small plates and sip a little wine with our Italian visitors.

Chefs Isabel Pozo Polo and Mary Shipman delivered a procession of incredibly delicious tapas for us to enjoy: Warm Sauté of Olives and Marcona Almonds, Boquerónes, Jamon Iberico, Piquillos Bacalao, Gambas with Pimenton and Roasted Garlic, Morcilla, Colorado Lamb with Romesco, Langostinos a la Plancha, Tenderloin with Cabrales, and a wonderful artisanal Spanish Cheese board to finish the meal off.  It was the perfect end a phenomenal evening!

Jim Greeley, Wine Supervisor, SW Florida

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