Well, the big event is over – and what a huge success it was!

This past weekend, we teamed up with Aperitivo Bistro to host an exclusive Italian wine tasting event before the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night performances of “The Rat Pack – Live at the Sands” at Proctors Theater. We sold out all 30 of our package tickets each night – with all the profits going to benefit the Northeast Parent & Child Society, a wonderful cause serving New York’s Capital District.

Sheila Burke, wine director for Mazzone Management Group, was the sommelier for all three evenings, one of only three certified sommeliers in the Capital District. As part of this italyMONDO! exclusive package, she introduced some amazing Italian wines to the guests – and me as well!

The two Sicilians seemed to be the crowd favorite; but for me, the Super Tuscan from Banfi was the winner. However, everyone had their own favorite. Even my mother, who’s not a wine lover, came to the event on Saturday night “ and after a few tastes, she couldn’t keep her hands off the Orvieto!

Here’s are the wines Sheila introduced to our guests:

RENOTO (Fuedo Maccari; Sicily) – red
This smoky, full-bodied Sicilian wine was a Nero D’Avola blended with 20 percent Syrah. Nero D’Avola is a “big,” well-extracted grape that flourishes in the sunny Mediterranean climate of the Isola del Sole. Its potency is mellowed and balanced by the Syrah, which enhances it – finishing round and juicy. Its “burnt rubber” finish is particularly unique.

CENTINE (Banfi; Tuscany) – red
The famous Banfi winery is owned by the Mariani family, originally the American wine growers of the Riunite brand, over 7,000 acres of prime wine making real estate in the Tuscan countryside between Siena and Florence. They are particularly famous for their Brunellos. The Centine is a well-priced Super Tuscan with a well-rounded black fruit flavor and peppery undertones.

ANTHÌLIA (Donnafugata; Sicily) – white
Donnafugata is a Sicilian winery that still uses ancient vines descending from the original vines Greek settlers used over two millennia ago. The names of their wines are based on famous novels; this one in particular is called Anthìlia, named after the area where the famous novel “Leopard” is set.

ORVIETO (Salviano; Umbria) – white
The 4,900-acre Salviano estate is on the banks of the Tiber river between Todi and Orvieto in the heart of the Umbrian D.O.C. region. This refreshing wine is made from a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and Grechetto grapes, and is well-structured and balanced with ripe fruit overtones.

We also had incredible Italian cheeses as well as a ton of other delicious hors d’oeuvres made by Aperitivo Bistro.  Everyone had a great time!  I even got to play on a vintage Vespa displayed at the event – what a treat! Maybe I’ll have to get one so I can cruise around Upstate New York “Italian style.”

The show itself was fantastic as well. If you closed your eyes, you’d swear it was the Rat Pack up on that stage! It started with Frank taking the stage, singing a few a few songs to warm up the crowd. Then the fun started when Dean came out (half drunk – but what else would you expect?), cracking jokes and singing classics like Volare and On An Evening in Roma. He then introduced Sammy, who sang crowd favorites including Mr. Bojangles.

The second act opened up with Dean – my personal favorite of the show – and he was soon joined by the rest of the Rat Pack. The second act really stole the show. Each singer was fantastic – their voices, looks, mannerisms – but as a group, there was magic in the air. It was truly the Rat Pack as they must have been!

What a perfect weekend – family, friends old and new, all coming together for some Italian vino, food and fun, all to benefit a great cause.  Now That’s Amore!

I hope you’ll join us at our next event! But why not experience Italian wine in Italy, touring boutique Italian wineries on a custom designed Heritage Tour? Call us today! 1-866-992-1116