ARIA Tuscan grill featuring ALLEGRINI
Embark with Master Sommelier and Italian wine guru, Brett Davis, on a palate-pleasing journey to Italy at Charlotte’s premier Italian eatery, Aria Tuscan Grill, with one of the most renowned and historic Italian wine producers, Allegrini!
ABOUT ALLEGRINI
Having produced wine for over 400 years, Allegrini’s has made a significant contribution to the development of the Valpolicella area, helping it to become the cradle of great red wines. Today, the Allegrini family farms over 120 hectares across the Valpolicella Classico region, with all the wine estate grown and is the benchmark for gastronomic Amarone. There is likely no other producer making a more linear, even mineral expression of the famously rich wine. This is accomplished through high-elevation vineyards and fastidious attention to the appassimento process. But Allegrini is more than its Amarone wines. Specifically, they bottle one of Giovanni Allegrini’s most inspired visions: a monovarietal, vineyard-appellated Corvina wine that doesn’t undergo the appassimento process. A pure expression of terroir, La Poja, was the first of its kind and still one of only a few 100 percent Corvina wines made. Valpolicella is often known for “technique over terroir,” but Allegrini rejects this notion, bringing a clear focus to cru and vineyard-designate wines, brought to life with clean and polished winemaking.
ABOUT POGGIO AL TESORO
Siblings Marilisa and Walter Allegrini founded Poggio al Tesoro in Bolgheri in 2001. They were drawn by the natural beauty of the region, as well as Bolgheri’s increasing potential to deliver world-class wines. Poggio al Tesoro works in the tradition of the DOC, crafting Bordeaux-style blends from international varieties and whites from Vermentino. The estate comprises just over 70 hectares in four vineyards within the Bolgheri DOC and the broader Maremma (the name for the Tuscan Coast).
Come wine and dine with Allegrini for Charlotte Wine & Food Week and viva la vita Italiano!
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 6:30 PM Arrival | 6:45 PM Dinner
Location: Aria Tuscan Grill | 100 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Special Guests: Brett Davis, Sales & Education Manager - Maze Row Wine Merchants (part of E. & J. Gallo Winery)
Chef: Alex Piatt - Aria Tuscan Grill
Tickets: $195/person plus tax
Gratuity is included in the ticket price, and $50 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
Must be 21+
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
To be added to the waitlist, please email info@charlottewinenadfood.org.
FEATURED WINES
2022 Allegrini Lugana DOC ‘Oasi’ Mantellina
2022 Poggio al Tesoro Vermentino ‘Solosole’ Toscana IGT
2020 Poggio al Tesoro Il Seggio 2020 Bolgheri DOC
2020 Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia Bolgeri Superiore DOC
2019 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
2017 Allegrini La Poja Veneto IGT
Otello Ceci Lambrusco
MENU
UPON ARRIVAL
2022 Allegrini Lugana DOC ‘Oasi’ Mantellina
FIRST COURSE
Ahi Tuna Crudo
Crisp Capers, Olive Gremolata, Lemon Oil
2022 Poggio al Tesoro Vermentino ‘Solosole’ Toscana IGT
SECOND COURSE
Guinea Hen Ragout
House Made Linguine, Pancetta, Shaved Parmigiano
2020 Poggio al Tesoro Il Seggio 2020 Bolgheri DOC
THIRD COURSE
Grilled Australian Grass Fed Filet Mignon
Mascarpone Polenta, Spring Asparagus & Pancetta Hash, Aged Balsamic
2020 Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia Bolgeri Superiore DOC
FOURTH COURSE
Braised Lamb Shank
Ramp Risotto, Pickled Ramps
2019 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
2017 Allegrini La Poja Veneto IGT
FIFTH COURSE
Meat & Cheese Flight
- Bonat 3 Years Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano Gran Riserva
- Bresaola della Valtellina
-600 Day Aged Prosciutto do Parma
- Applewood Smoked Duck Breast
Otello Ceci Lambrusco
Dietary restrictions may be accommodated with advance notice. Please indicate any restrictions the event organizers should be aware of at time of your registration/ticket purchase. Alternatively, please email info@charlottewineandfood.org to notify us at minimum 5 days prior to the event.
CULINARY & BEVERAGE TALENT
BRETT DAVIS, MASTER SOMMELIER | SALES & EDUCATION DIRECTOR - MAZE ROW WINE MERCHANTS
Brett Davis is the Sales & Education Director for Maze Row, an importer and marketer of luxury wines with an emphasis on prestigious family-owned wineries across the globe.
In 2009, Brett passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ diploma level exam and earned the title of Master Sommelier. Just over two hundred fifty individuals worldwide have earned this certification over its fifty-year history.
In addition to his current role, Brett consults with restaurateurs, wholesalers and retailers nationally with beverage and service training. He consults with start-up brands creating new products, advising on flavor profiles and development. Considered one of the resident whiskey and spirits experts for the Court of Master Sommeliers, he judges spirits contests, gives regular lectures and proctors monthly exams for others going through the certification process.
Most recently. Brett Davis was the chief operating officer for Falls City Hospitality Group (FCHG) in Louisville where he spearheaded concept and design development while managing the operations and beverage programs for all properties. Brett founded the group in 2010.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Davis started working in kitchens at the age of 16. He’s waited tables at legendary Commander’s Palace in New Orleans and held positions at restaurants across the country including Michael’s in Santa Monica and Geronimo in Santa Fe. Prior to FCHG, he spent 10 years as the Sales Manager for Vintner Select, a major wine importer and distributor carrying more than 2,500 wines from around the world.
ALEX PIATT | EXECUTIVE CHEF - ARIA TUSCAN GRILL
Alex Piatt, 30, helms the kitchen at Aria Tuscan Grill as Executive Chef, his role since January 2018. He joined the restaurant in 2015 as Chef de Cuisine. Before that, Alex honed his cooking and kitchen management skills at McCormick & Schmick’s restaurants in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, from 2010 to 2015, rising through the ranks to become Executive Chef of the Raleigh location.
Alex is a 2010 graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte with a B.S. in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management. Alex oversees the Aria kitchen and staff, as well as the restaurant’s on- and off-site catering operation, which includes the exclusive catering service for the adjoining Founders Hall venue in the Bank of America Corporate Center.
When not running one of Charlotte’s busiest kitchens, the Apex, NC, native enjoys attending sporting events, particularly the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers. He also thrives on expanding his culinary knowledge and learning new skills pertinent to his role at Aria, such as making fresh pasta and hand-tossing pizza. His wife, Lauran, also works in the local restaurant industry.
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR!
