We had the pleasure of attending the Italy America Chamber of Commerce Austin event, they hosted a wine and dinner party.
ITAL Austin’s media interns, Julia Farrell and Krista Boyd, covered the special event.
Italian natives from the greater Austin area gathered to learn more about Firriato Winery, the largest production company in Sicily, Italy. Known for their premium collection, Firriato’s cellars have been stocked since the winery’s opening nearly 40 years ago.
Marco Scapagnini, president of the Italian wine group, brought his Chicago-based team to Texas for the event. As the Texan Italian community enjoyed a meal of chicken piccata and insalata mista, Scapagnini gave a series of speeches at the front of the room. One of the most interesting topics he covered was the difference between red and white wine.
“My personal favorite is the red wine,” he told Farrell in an Italian interview. “It also has multiple health benefits.”
A crowd favorite was a red wine made from “nero d’Avola,” which means “black of Avola” in Italian. Named after a southern province of Sicily, it is one of the most highly regarded variety of grapes in the country. Its production began hundreds of years ago and has since spread throughout the island. Known for its sweet taste and smooth texture, you can often find “nero d’Avola” in Marsala sauce.
Something that sets Firriato Winery apart from other brands is its commitment to environmental protection. Enhancement of biodiversity is key to the creation of their wine products. Firriato’s environmental standards made them one of the first Italian companies to receive certification for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The party concluded with a final toast and well wishes. ITAL Austin, a long-time partner with the chamber, is excited to cover future events. If you are interested in learning more about the Italian language and culture, visit http://www.italchamber.org/ for information on the Italian community in your area.