TASTE OF ITALY
FOOD AND WINE FAIR
MONDAY, MARCH 5
HILTON POST OAK
11 A.M.-5 P.M.
Now in its fourth year, Taste of Italy Houston is the largest food and wine trade fair in the U.S. devoted exclusively to Italian products. Presented by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Texas, the event features more than 500 entries from more than 150 exhibitors.
This year’s gathering marks the first time that the organizers have partnered with Italian publisher Slow Wine Editori, who will be presenting more than 200 wines by 88 wineries featured in the 2018 edition of its guide to the wines of Italy and California.
The Taste of Italy Grand Tasting is open to trade and media from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and the general public from 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.
The following events and seminars are open to trade, media, and consumers. Registration is required.
The event will feature more than 500 Italian food products and wines.
PIEDMONT’S NEW WAVE OLD SCHOOL
10:30 A.M.
OPEN TO TRADE ONLY
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (SOLD OUT).
TASTE 8 AWARDING-WINNING PIEDMONT WINES FROM THE SLOW WINE GUIDE TO THE WINES OF ITALY 2018
MODERATOR: Jeremy Parzen (DoBianchi.com)
PANELISTS: Jaime De Leon (Houston Beverage Sales Manager for Kroger), Thomas Moësse (wine director, Vinology and Divino)
On the occasion of the first-ever Slow Wine Guide tasting in Houston, local wine experts Jaime De Leon (Houston Beverage Sales Manager for Kroger), Thomas Moësse (wine director, Vinology and Divino), and wine writer Jeremy Parzen (DoBianchi.com) lead a guided tasting of 8 Slow Wine-award-winning wines from Piedmont. Slow Wine Guide editor-in-chief Giancarlo Gariglio presents the new guide beforehand.
THE ULTIMATE WINE PAIRING: TEXAS BBQ
AND LAMBRUSCO
1:00 P.M.
$19.50 PER PERSON
TEXAS BBQ AND ITALIAN WINE EXPERTS DISCUSS THE ART OF PAIRING WITH CLASSIC SMOKED MEATS BY PAPPAS DELTA BLUES, JACKSON STREET, AND PINKERTON’S
MODERATOR: Jeremy Parzen (DoBianchi.com)
PANELISTS: Brian Larky (Dalla Terra Imports), Chris Reid (Houston Chronicle)
Houston Chronicle BBQ columnist Chris Reid and leading U.S. importer Brian Larky discuss the art of pairing Texas BBQ and Lambrusco. Food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen moderates.
Pappas Delta Blues, Jackson Street, and Pinkerton’s provide Lambrusco-inspired tastings.
REAL BALSAMIC: THE HOLY GRAIL OF LUXURY FOOD
3:30 p.m.
$19.50 PER PERSON
TASTE A SELECTION OF TOP AGED BALSAMIC VINEGARS FROM ITALY WITH PAIRINGS BY POTENTE AND OSSO & KRISTALLA. CHEFS DANNY TRACE AND GIANCARLO FERRARA DISCUSS TRADITIONAL AND EXPERIMENTAL USES OF BALSAMIC IN THE KITCHEN
MODERATOR: Jeremy Parzen (DoBianchi.com)
PANELISTS: Chef Danny Trace (Potente and Osso-Kristalla) and Giancarlo Ferrara (Amalfi Ristorante)
Foraged white truffles from Piedmont, wild sturgeon caviar from the Black Sea, and… authentic balsamic vinegar from Modena and Reggio Emilia. Few Americans have tasted these coveted and hard-to-find vinegars from Italy. Food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen moderates.
Balsamic-inspired tastings curated by Chef Danny Trace (Potente and Osso-Kristalla).