Go Totally Italian in October with Marc de Grazia Wines, Assaggio Ristorante

By Kathy Ward

The fragrance of a fresh crop of grapes hangs in the vineyard this month, and crush and fermentation aromas will fill wineries on into late autumn. The promise of a new vintage wafts throughout wine country in October. Come celebrate the harvest Italian style, join us for a tasting of Marc de Grazia fine wines and food courses by Chef Don Curtiss of Assaggio Ristorante. It's a regional winefest too good to miss!

Marc de Grazia is considered one of the most influential people in the wine world in the past 20 years. OK, he's really an American-Italian (attended Cal Berkeley) who grew up in a family that enjoyed quality wines from Italy. When he couldn't find the wines locally he began an import business to bring the best of the region to the United States. Success followed. His passion has resulted in a portfolio of 85 wineries throughout Italy.

Wine selections on the tasting card show various styles, values and types of Italian wines. Some, such as Chianti Classico and Barolo, are known to many. Others, like Orvieto or the ancient varietal Uva di Troia, are less familiar. All promise to expand our knowledge and enliven the palate.

The Valpolicella and Barbera are both single-vineyard selections with classic as well as surprising characteristics. A lightly sparkling Moscato d'Asti is noted as one that "in a perfect world would replace the afternoon coffee break."

Guest speaker Steve Olson, De Gustibus Wine Imports sales manager, will lead us through the regional tasting. He knows vintages and foods of Italy equally well having been a wine buyer and waiter at several Italian restaurants in Seattle. The connection is natural he says: "I have just enough Italian blood in me to consider myself a Son of Italy."

Food selections on the tasting card will reflect traditional Italian favorites and unique specialties of Don Curtiss, who last visited the Enological Society when he was chef at Andaluca. He revamped the Assaggio Ristorante menu when he became their chef last year.

Located in the Claremont Hotel, Assaggio is a Seattle reproduction of a stucco villa straight out of a Rome tour guide detailed in tile floors, arches, and murals painted on walls and ceilings. Hold that thought for some imaginary ambiance during the program.

Come prepared to roll those r's and have a Roman good time at this all-Italian tasting. There'll be raffle drawings for an Italian cookbook and other prizes. Remember, the date is October 20 (third Wednesday this time). The site is St. Demetrios Cultural Center in Seattle. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the program begins promptly at 7:30. Reservations are not necessary.

Plastic cups are provided for wine tasting. If you prefer, bring your own glass -- better yet, two for comparative tasting. Enological Society logo glasses can be purchased at the meeting.