By Agnes Yu
Despite pessimistic economics spurred by Moody’s recent downgrade raining on the parade, Italy remains a booty peninsula unrivalled in art, opera, fashion and above all, food and drink. A drink in particular is wine. Wine that can be red, white or rose, wine that is sparkling or still.
Here on another peninsula far, far away, Francesco Morello and Stefano Piantoni teamed up to create the Italian Wine Club (IWC) Seoul, a company that promotes Italian wines as easy, accessible and to be enjoyed in a friendly environment.
Morello works for Sureung Wine, a wine importer and Piantoni works for the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ITCCK). Together they have great synergy. They met two years ago at an event organized by the ITCCK to introduce Italian wines to wine importers.
Morello attended as an importer. He says, “I have always found in Korea, a kind of lack of marketing activity for wine on behalf of the final consumer instead of industry people.’’
Collaborating with other wine importers and Italian restaurant owners, the pair of young men decided to organize an event.
A selected region becomes the focus for a food buffet accompanied by four wine tastings and sometimes an extra fifth. The first was at Ca D’oro, a Venezia restaurant in southern Seoul on Feb. 26 and over 140 people attended. The wine selection included Falesco Vitiano Bianco I.G.T., Hofstatter Pinot Grigio D.O.C., Gulfi Rossojbleo I.G.T., and Dodicidocidi D.O.C.
The food that accompanied it was authentic with flavors and textures that can only transport a homesick Italian back to his mother’s kitchen table.
More recently at the newly opened Esclusivo restaurant also in southern Seoul, the IWC event featured Sicily. Along with the wines, there were nine representative items on the menu to savor such as the Arancine di riso alla siciliana (Sicilian-style rice balls filled with meat and tomato) and the Ravioli di ricotta con salsa di pomodoro al profumo di menta (Ravioli with ricotta cheese, tomato sauce and mint). The mouth-watering desserts included Bombe di gianduia con pistachio (Gianduja chocolate with pistachio) and Gelo di mellone (Watermelon jelly).
This was the fifth IWC evening held in Seoul. There have also been two in Busan but on a much smaller scale.
Italy produces wine with a wide variety of grapes and through the events Morello collects feedback in efforts to introduce more Italian wines to the local audience.
Education is another element that adds to the enjoyment. It is a great opportunity to experience Italian culture. At Esclusivo, photos of Sicily were screened on the wall and there was a brief talk to give background information on the special dishes and wines that were featured.
Targeting both local and foreign residents, events have a great deal of positive feedback. A regular attendant is Alberto Giancchini, who said, “It’s a unique venue this time. There’s always a new element with such delicious food and wine and good people to meet each time.’’
At the summer wine party in June, Antonio of casAntonio played the piano and at the April event, the northern Piemonte region was the highlight along with an aria by Stefano Lodola.
To season the ambiance many people speaking in Italian can be heard among the guests.
Piantoni says, ``I aim to offer a balance between being at a party and learning something at the same time during these events that followers can mark on their calendar and look forward to as a worthwhile evening.’’
The next IWC event is on Nov. 26 at 48 Street in Cheongdam-dong and the concept will be an "intercultural food & wine event" starring Korean food savored with a wide selection of Italian wines.
There is even a lucky draw at the end of each evening to win a bottle or two of Italian wine. Venues usually vary each time and the cost is 50,000 won in advance or 60,000 won if you just show up.
There is actually no membership to the club and more information is available at the website: www.icws.co.kr or on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iwcseoul.