I attended this year’s Golden Glass event at San Francisco’s Fort Mason. The event celebrates the efforts of over 100 international wine producers who strive to protect, nurture, and revive the indigenous and classic varieties of their regions. In other words, think slow food thinking: organic, local, fresh and authentic.
The MyFarm folks were there whose goal is to increase local food production, so they can create a secure and sustainable food system.
The wineries were clustered in designated, regional areas throughout the pavilion, starting with the deeper, fuller bodied reds at the entrance, then moving into the Pinot Noirs, lighter sauvignon blancs and champagnes as you made your way to the back. Here sat bread sticks, prosciutto (ham, pork and turkey (with pistachio, pepper and fennel) and cheese, which sadly I couldn’t touch.
All under one roof, there were so many authentic small family stories, you could easily sit at each table for hours listening to their starts, stops, wins and losses, each one of them proud of their own blends.
For example, one of my favorites was the Prunetto Mompertone 2006, which apparently won a silver award at the event. Emanuele Baldi, their marketing head told me that it was the only wine they had that was a mixed blend.
I can’t say that I don’t have a practiced palate of international food and wine, having lived in over ten countries and traveled to nearly 70. Then again, how practiced can it be when the only solos I’m comfy with once cork leaves the bottle are California Chardonnays and Cabernets.
That said, I’m open to them all, even the Syrahs they announce with a starter like: “people either love this one or hate it,” or “this isn’t your typical Syrah so it’s an acquired taste.” What are they saying? I don’t have that acquired taste therefore think again unless I’ve popped at least a dozen corks with their sommeliers.
I’m still relatively new to learning the nuances of Italian reds. Every time I’ve gone to Italy, my friends pour Chiantis down my throat from decanters without labels.
It wasn’t until my Italian restaurant and wine store owner friend from NY’s West Village introduced me to Perbacco’s Mauro Cirilli that I learned about Barolos and Barbarescos. Mauro is a pro; more than a pro – he makes learning about wine not just fun but irresistable.
A sample of their salame below: Nostrao, Piccante and Sanguinato Dolce. Which one I asked Mauro? Which one he asks back as if to say what kind of question has the word one in it? When he wasn’t looking, I went for the Nostrano because frankly by that stage of the day, my poor stomach couldn’t have handled a taste of all three.
That brings me to food. Slow food. Each booth is a gastronomic and educational experience. One of my favorites was from entertaining chef Suzette Gresham of Acquerello in San Francisco. She made sure I got the delicacy right, particularly when I came back for thirds. Below is a glimpse of her oil leached swordfish with candied silicon olives and almond and parsley pesto.
A few more fun tastes below:
Fromage at its Best
Causa Casera Potato Causa with Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado and Tomato Confit with Basil Cilantro Oil – La Mar Restaurant
Bruleed Mission Figs Burrata and Sliced Prosciutto
Decadent Chocolate Baby before during and after each taste (okay, maybe in my twenties)
There was a delicious looking Strawberry Gazpacho I never managed to try but people were raving about.
Group shot in the middle of the full bodied reds and the Pinots
To the left Laura Gallino, Sales Manager with Filippo Gallino wines
Bodego Del Sur Winery owner Victor Reyes Umana and Renee Blodgett (I loved both his Tempranillo and his Sangiovese (the 2006). Worth a try.
Below shot from Slow Food SF photo pool
Poggio Trattoria’s chef Peter McNee
It’s so much more fun and interactive covering food and wine than technology. And frankly, is there not far more interesting choices? I’ve seen reporter pal’s offices and homes piled with hardware and software boxes, but its a far cry from the wine and food writer’s cube at USA Today during a visit in the last year. How do you get through it all I was thinking as I passed the mile high stack of samples.
And there’s so much to learn, particularly when you take a deeper dive into the diversity of each wine from regions around the world. I learned about Scacciadiavoli for the first time. Unusual taste I thought. What is it?
It is one of the most ancient wine production estates of the Montefalco zone. The name Scacciadiavoli (Devil banisher) derives from the exorcism carried out in the XVII century, as described by Johannes du Rupescissa in a treatise on quintessence.
If you haven’t been to a slow food event before, I’d recommend it. If you don’t know much about slow food in general, then dive in and learn more.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
