Bri's Best Bottles | IG Live | 10 Wines | 30 Minutes

February 26, 2019

Celebrating Puglia: Land of Eternal Sunshine

Taste of Italy is LA’s premiere food and wine event with authentic Italian food, wine, and entertainment to benefit the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA). The event celebrates the cultural richness of the Italian peninsula. Last year, Taste of Italy highlighted the Italian region of Puglia, known as the “heel of the boot”. Puglia is known for its quintessential Mediterranean climate: short mild winters and long, hot, dry summers with LOTS of sunshine. The wines from Puglia are known for their great values. Specifically, the region is known for the Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes.

I was not able to attend the main event, but I did attend the “Taste of Italy” preview dinner for press at Luigi al Teatro featuring a Puglia inspired menu. Luigi Fineo, executive chef at Luigi al Teatro, is the nation’s youngest chef to earn the Michelin Star. We enjoyed a LOVELY evening that started with a wine tasting and passed hors d’oeuvres on the patio. We then moved into the restaurant for a beautiful coursed meal that left me in shock that I had never visited this restaurant before. It was easily one of the best meals I have ever had in Los Angeles.

Chef Luigi Fineo

Enjoy the food and wine porn about to hit your eyeballs!

Aperitif Wines

Kumia Fiano

Selezione Nicola Chiaromonte Gioia Del Colle Primitivo 2011

Duo Starter

Polipo alla Griglia

Grilled Spanish Octopus, Cireale Chickpea, Green Olives, Toy Box Tomato

&

Carpaccio di Orata

Sea Bream, Orange, Basil Seeds, Lemon, Olive Oil

Dinner Wine

Muro Sant’Angelo Gioia del Colle Primitivo 2014

Pasta

Ari Vecchia

Cavatelli, Potato, Mussels, Bottarga, Pachino

Duo Entree

Filleto di San Pietro

Baked John Dory, Tomato-Spinach Acciugata

&

Australian Wagyu New York Steak

Grilled Australian Wagyu, Seasonal Vegetables, Black Winter Truffle

Dessert

Budino

Chocolate, Crème Fraiche, Maldon Salt

This year the Taste of Italy event will take place on October 12, 2019 at the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. Thank you to Marianna Gatto, Executive Director of IAMLA for the invitation to this impeccable event.

Ciao!

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you’re looking to Up Your Wine Game and Drink Better, consider booking a private in-person or virtual wine tasting experience.

Brianne Cohen is a certified sommelier, wine educator, consultant, and writer based out of Los Angeles.

Since March 2020, Brianne has educated and entertained over 5,000 people through her “Virtual Vino” online wine tastings.

Brianne holds the WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) Diploma certificate, one of the most coveted wine certifications in the world. When she’s not helping others Up Their Wine Game, she can be found judging at international wine competitions.

Brianne aims to make wine approachable and conversational, to surprise and delight with unexpected, distinctive wine finds, and to give people knowledge (and confidence) about wine in their everyday lives.

Connect With Brianne →

Sample Policy

As a wine writer, I frequently accept samples for review on my website and on my social media channels. Please contact me at brianne@briannecohen.com to discuss sending samples for review. I promise to always be honorable with the samples. I will evaluate all wines in good tasting settings and with no distractions.

All reviews are my opinions, and mine only. Because of the volume of samples I receive, I cannot promise that all samples received will be reviewed, but I will do my best.