Inaugural Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore Italian Wine Course
28 April, 2010. Sheraton Towers Hotel
MAKING time for the Press Conference on the 1st Wine Course on Italian wines by ICCS, His Excellency Dr. Anacleto Felicani, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore, said, "It’s always a pleasant occasion to talk about pleasure…to have this course to teach how to appreciate Italian wines. I am suprised to see how many Singaporeans appreciate, for example the wines of Piedmonte. There is a lot of room for Italian wines in Singapore!"
The affable President of ICCS, Andrea Bonardi, had this to say, "In Asia, markets are driven by brands, very brand oriented. The course we are offering, thanks to the support of Italian ristoranti and wine importers aims to share the beauty of Italian wines with Singaporeans. The course is a step to promoting the lesser known wines of Italy from many of the 20 different wine regions."
The Italian Wine Course from April to September covers the regions of Veneto, Fruili Venezia Giulia & Trentino Alto Adige, Piedmonte, Toscana, Abruzzo, Campania, Basilicata & Puglia, Sicilia and Sardegna. Held at different locations on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm, it gives participants a good knowledge of Italian wines. A certificate will be presented to those who attend the course of 9 lessons, with a celebratory dinner at the end of the course on 3 September, 2010.
At the Press Conference, Dr. Michael Lim, The Travelling Gourmet, offical journalist to the ICCS Wine Course explained,
"The Greeks called Italy ‘Enotria’ or ‘Land of Wines’ and Italy has some 2000 indigenous grape varieties. The Roman Empire from 27 BC to 476 AD saw an increase in the technology of wine making, and the major winemaking regions of France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain were all set up by the ancient Romans."
Dr. Lim then performed the "Sciabolare" where the top of a bottle of Bisol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene ‘Crede’ was cut off with single stroke of a sword to much applause.
The first lesson of the Wine Course was then conducted by Giovanni Oliva of Grandi Vini d’Italia with a tasting of Prosecco, Pighin 2006 Pinot Grigio from Friuli and Carpineto DOCG Chianti Classico 2008
To have more information about the Italian Wine Course, please go to : http://www.italchamber.org.sg/default.aspx
Salute! 
