A wine expert may not be essential to determine the differences between Italian and French wines, but even unbiased experts will agree it is a risky business to decide which country's wine is best.

Both have been known to produce the most wine, to sell the most wine and to consume the most wine but France's varieties are more valued than Italy's.

In his blog, wine lover Terence Dominic Hughes writes, "Why doesn't Italian wine receive the same respect as French wine, or at least the same openness to quality and distinctiveness that French wine enjoys, no matter how obscure the appellation or minute the quantities produced?"

"Something a well-regarded Italian producer told me got my curiosity up -- and maybe my Irish. He'd been with a couple of well-regarded U.S. importers, both of whom specialize in France's (wine). So why didn't it work out with them? His answer: They made it plain that French wines were the ones that mattered. They see Italian wines as being Serie B (second class)."

Be it in America, Europe and even Asia it is a common perception. As in Jakarta also, where wine lounges are increasingly frequented, there is a prejudice that premium wine means French wine and nothing else.

In a bid to widen the horizon of wine lovers in Jakarta, the Ritz Carlton Jakarta in Mega Kuningan will host a special event called The Italian Job, celebrating Italy's diverse culinary heritage.

In the exclusive wine dinner to be held at the Portovenere, Italian wine maestros Armando Castagnedi and Valentino Sciotti will present their wine selections perfectly combined with a regional degustation menu specially crafted by Chef de Cuisine Marco Riva on Oct. 21.

"I am preparing a particular fusion between the North and the South of Italy. Lobster from the North and mushroom from the South will be combined with special cognac to enhance the typical flavors of each ingredient. The combination will fuse the different characteristics of these two regions," said chef Riva who has been in Jakarta for three years.

The mouthwatering menu is revealed as follows: appetizer of timballo di verdurine alla griglia con salsa verde (grilled spring vegetables with parsley salsa verde) paired with Farnese Sannio Falanghina Vesevo DOC 2005; crema di zucca e parmigiano (pumpkin and parmigiano cheese bisque) served with Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone Valpolicella DOC Campo dei Gigli; and main course Ragu'd'aragosta in salsa d'estragone (lobster ragu in tarragon sauce) accompanied by Farnese Taurasi Vesevo 2001.

Next to come is brasato di guancia di vetello con polenta tradizionale (braised veal cheek with traditional polenta) served with Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone Valpolicella DOC Selezione Castagnedi 2003 and last but not least, the aperitivo -- Tiramisu' alla venezianna -- with its complementing Grappa di Noa.

In Italy or other European countries a wine dinner tends to be more traditional, Chef Riva said.

"People here may have knowledge about the food but very little about the wine."

The wine selections to be presented, according to Chef Riva, are for someone who is somewhat familiar with the nuances of various wines.

They're not for a beginner but not necessarily for an expert, he said.

"They are for somebody who has already drunk wine -- most of Indonesians drink French wine. Italy is really new in the market here."

So, wine lovers buon appetito!

Portovenere's The Italian Job

Ritz Carlton Jakarta in

Mega Kuningan,

South Jakarta

For more info : +62 25518877

Popular

Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

Tens of thousands seek better lives in Jakarta. But is the city losing its draw?

Elon Musk's Starlink granted licences to operate in Indonesia