Wine dinner to feature tour of Italy
A four course wine dinner pairing regional favorites from the north, south, east and west of Italy will be featured at Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs.
The Sept. 23 wine dinner is the fifth in the summer wine dinner series which has taken guests through Tuscany, the Mediterranean, South America and the French countryside.
Spice-seared scallops with apricots and gnocchi sauted in brown butter will represent the German influence of the northern region known as Trentino, which borders on Austria.
The scallops will complement the herbaceous tones of the Castle Vermein Traminier which will be served.
The island of Sardinia is about 120 miles west of the Italian peninsula.
From this rugged mountain terrain will come a course of spit roasted Kurobota pork loin with grilled plum and radicchio relish, duck confit and golden potato hash.
The strong, rich flavors take their cue from the deep crimson color and balanced tannins of the Barrua red wine which will accompany the course.
Sicily, the island at the southern tip of “the boot,” calls for Mazzei Zisola, a red wine made exclusively from Nero D’Avola grapes.
The fruity tones and light spice will perfectly enhance the swordfish involtini stuffed with raisins, pine nuts and bread crumbs, that is served with a tomato, eggplant and Gaeta olive stew and couscous.
Less than 50 miles east of Rome, the Abruzzo region is home to the famous Abruzzo Mountains and is the final stop on Angelina’s Tour of Italy.
Porcini and herb roasted lamb loin alongside a mushroom and blueberry lasagna with robiola will be perfectly balanced by the fully dry, yet serious Montepulcinao of Villa Gema.
The wine dinner begins at 6:30 and is $89 per person unless a guest has attended two previous wine dinners this season. Then the cost is $59 per person.
Reservations are required and can be made at 390-3187.