The romance and popularity of Italian foods and wines were on full display recently at a Beverly Hills event entitled Savor Italy-2019.   Here also were a series of seminars both on individual wine regions and wine types and varietals.  This writer was fortunate to attend the seminar which explored the Abruzzo region and one of its leading wineries, Tenuta Ulisse.
Besides its many vineyards Abruzzo must go close to the head of the class in scenic beauty.  Many of its vineyards are planted on sloping mountain foothills with the snow capped Apennienes Range as a backdrop.  In all Abruzzo has four separate wine regions, all with a terrior that includes warm days and cool nights.
Conducting the Abruzzo seminar was Laura Donadoni who was perfect in her presentation that included a slide show as well as the tasting of five wines from the vineyards and cellars of Tenuta Ullisse.  Founded in 2006 the owners, Antonio and Luigi Ulisse have been dedicated to making contemporary ancient varietals such as Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, Trebbiano D'Abruzzo, Pecono, and Passerina e Cococciola.
Later Laura Donadoni conducted a second seminar entitled the "Art of Paring White Wines."   Another seminar explored future food trends.
Dominate red wine is Montepulcano which is the fifth most planted grape in Italy.  It is very versatile high in tannins but low in acidy and the wines do well in either stainless steel or barrels for long aging.  We were much taken with one of the white wines that was new to us.  It was Tenuta Ulisse Passerina Terre di Chieti IGP.  From the white grape Passerina it has a memorable bouquet and in taste crisp and clean.  The Passerina grape is of Greek origin.  Other white grapes of the region include Pecouino and Montonico.
Savor Italy took place at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills which proved the perfect place for both the seminars, which were all filled to capacity, and as a showplace for the many foods and wines on display and available for sampling.  Then on the patio a mouth watering  buffet was served with two exciting salads, an original cold pasta followed with the making of sandwiches of Italian ham and  meats.