The American wine culture is inextricably tied to the phenomenon of the Italian and Hungarian emigration in the New World and the best enoic examples originates from the best wineyards preserved even today in their DNA the distinctive traits of the finest European grape varieties, from the Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Sangiovese to the Zinfandel.
In the Year of Italian Culture in the United States and in Hungary, the multi-award winning sommelier-critic Eva Kottrova, gold and platinum winner in elite wine and culinary contests, Hungarian-born and naturalized in Italy, wanted to honor with a series of events in Italy and in Hungary the heroic saga of the Californian viticulture through the thematic convivial guided tastings open to insiders and merchants in the wine industry.
Eva’s exhaustive reportages have been published in the leading Italian and Hungarian trade magazines, connecting her to the ample wine loving public.
The fascinating sommelier has given particular emphasis to the development of viticulture in the supreme areas of Napa and Sonoma Valley, to the oenological masterpieces of rare and precious quality and to the legendary Robert Mondavi which made it the mythical Opus One a global icon-jewel of American high production.
A great deal of attention will be devoted to the Hungarian landowner Ágoston Haraszthy, who in 1857 founded the Buena Vista Winery and introduced the first cuttings of Zinfandel, as well as Ernest and Julio Gallo, entrepreneurs and sons of Italian immigrants, whom in 1933 started their activity, which today has become the largest exporter of Californian wines in the world.
The virtual tour headed by Kottrova has conducted the audiences in the high-tech wineries of the enoic Eldorado, which resembles a Hollywood movie set, leaving every follower speechless during the tastings of the delicious Californian nectars. For each participant it is a wonderful sensorial experiences.
Finally, the historical Napa Valley Wine Train inspired by the legendary Orient Express which was inaugurated in 1989 by entrepreneur Vincent De Domenico together with his partners; the event documents the wonderful modern American oenological history from antique aftertaste, rich in traditional culture and intimate expressions of the territory.
