Updated: 08 April 2006
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14^th CONCORSO ENOLOGICO INTERNAZIONALE 
40^th VINITALY, Verona-Italy
28 March – 02 April 2006

 a report of the proceedings by a member of the JURY from Singapore

29th March 2006 - THE 1st DAY OF COMPETITION

Well, we had showers of blessings on the very first day of the proceedings. The air-conditioning system released their load of condensed water onto the back portion of the tasting room and promptly sent the remaining bottle samples back into storage. We had just completed the first 11 samples of the first flight of the morning session. The 2nd flight of 11 samples to be tasted after the break remained untasted that day.

While, the air-conditioning technicians worked, furiously, to repair the disruption, all 105 Jurors were sent off back to our base hotel, Due Torri Baglioni, for early lunch that was served on-time NOT early. The menu consisted of GLI GNOCCHETTI DI PATATE AL PESTO DI ROCOLA E PINOLI (roughly translated as small Gnocchi of potatoes lathered with Pesto sauce of rocola & pinenuts) followed by LA TAGLIATA DI MANZO SU LETTO DI ERBETTE IN CAMPO ALL'ACETO BALSAMICO I CONTORNI DI STAGIONE (medalion of beef in herb sauce of Balsamic vinegar and vegetables), finally, dessert was IL FAGOTTINO DI CREPES DOLCE ALLA RICOTTA (sweet crepes with strawberry sauce). These were washed down with coupious amounts of Le Guincare 2003 by Monte Schiavo (white wine) and Sogno Rosso 2003 by Sant' Andrea (red wine), to satisfy those who felt disappointed for missing their second flight of 11 samples.

The white wine is Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, from a leading producer in the Marches region of Italy. A local varietal of note offering hints of tropical fruit that is hearty & full-flavoured. The red wine is an award-winning Merlot-Cesanese blend from the Lazio region just at the outskirts of Rome. Intense ruby red colour with a complex and elegant bouquet. Red berries and cherries and  spices amalgamate with sweet vanilla and tobacco leaves.

Our most efficient Master of the Competition, Dr. Guiseppe Martelli, declared, on our return in the afternoon, that the missed samples will be distributed among the other flights throughout the next days of tastings.

The afternoon session continued on their very clockwork clip and we were nicely ready for our first dinner outing by 8:30pm. I was invited to accompany a fellow Juror to the restaurant, by taxi, who disinclined the early evening stroll. The flagdown was EUR7.39 and the total 8-minute journey cost almost EUR8!!

IL CENACOLO is famous for its country-style open-hearth oven & grill set in the centre of the restaurant. Tucked at the junction of a quiet road just off touristic Piazza Bra, this is one inconspicuous restaurant to locate. Log tables and chairs were spread to the left and right and front of this original open kitchen concept. There was no need for heating in this restaurant as the roaring fires chased the early spring evening chill away. However, we judiciously sat at the far end, far away from the roaring flames and near the entrance, just in case.......

It was a simple set menu, here. Each diner is served each course of the day's spread. Antipasti of Parma ham & melon, fragrant & crusty brusshetta from the grill brushed with olive oil. Oven-baked sun-ripe tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and melted cheese. Multi-coloured capsicum peppers deliciously drenched, again, with olive oil. Grilled polenta upped the carbohydrate factor a notch. Then, came the meats of all kinds. Baby backs, chicken, steaks, sausages, lamb and potatoes. White, red and rose wines flowed throughout the evening. However, my group called it "enough!" after the all the meats. We grabbed our choice of fresh fruit, on the way out and headed straight onto busy Piazza Bra at 10:30pm.

The first timers to Verona and this Wine Competition needed a important introduction as we headed back to our hotel, this night. This is perhaps the most important winebar is all of Italy and perhaps the most characterful in the world (old world, at least!) - ANTICA BOTTEGA DEL VINO. This institution is well reviewed by Cathy van Zyl MW in her blog.

Cathy is one of the newest members (#250) of the august Institute of Masters of Wine and the first one to be based in South Africa. She is a mother of an active 9-year old boy. Her husband, Philip, is the editor of the best-selling & annual publication "John Platter South African Wines" guide.

End of 1st day of Competition

HappyVines.com Wine Selection

CAVALLOTTO BAROLO RISERVA VIGNOLO 1999 S$115.00
"Full red. Dusty, woodsy aromas of plum, tobacco, truffle and geranium. Very sweet and dense, with strong fruit and big dusty tannins. Chewy, old-style Barolo, with a big middle, medicinal and herbal flavours and elevated alcohol". (Stephen Tanzer scores 89 (+?)

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