Exquisite Pairings of East and West

By LIM CHIA YING
Photos by RICKY LAI
chiaying@thestar.com.my

THE wines of Castello Banfi are generally characterised by a strong structure with full body, fruity yet low in sugar content.

The grapes used in making the wines are grown along the slopes that lie between the medieval hilltop town of Montalcino in the region of Tuscany, Italy, and the Mediterranean Sea, and uniquely carry notes of fruits like lemon, banana and grapefruit that give the wines their aromatic hint.

“This is the uniqueness of Banfi wines which we have to retain. Wines are evaluated by the consumers’ senses, not by industry parameters.

“Many a time, we drink wines without understanding what wine is and how it is to be approached.

“Drinking wine is for pleasure; it is not a must-have like water. The key concept we are investing in, through Castello Banfi wines, is that a wine must be a consumer’s choice,” explained the general manager of Banfi, Enrico Viglierchio.

Viglierchio was in Kuala Lumpur recently for an exclusive Castello Banfi wine tasting dinner organised jointly with AsiaEuro Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd at the new Japanese restaurant, Red.

Some 40 guests were invited for the six-course dinner featuring modern Japanese cuisine specially created to match the six selected wines.

The creations were whipped up by a local chef who has more than 30 years' experience in Japanese food.

“This restaurant specialises in authentic Japanese cuisine, but for tonight's wine dinner, the chef has come up with modern food instead to match the wines,” said Red general manager Julian Koay.

For a start, guests sampled the Banfi Le Rime Toscana IGT (2004), a wine that is a straw yellow colour with fresh green reflections, with a fruity and fragrant bouquet and a fresh floral taste.

The first course served was Asparagus Poached King Prawn with Salmon Roe Salad, paired with the Castello Banfi Fontanelle Chardonnay DOC of 2003 vintage.

The Fontanelle is noted for its intense fruitiness with hints of apple and apricot.

“Due to the climate in Tuscany and the soil characteristics, the majority of Banfi wines – about 70% of production – are red.
“The remaining 30% are white.

“This is because white wines in Italy are concentrated in the northern region, where the colder climate suits white grapes better than red.

“Tuscany, being located in the central region, is better suited for the growth of red grapes,” said Viglierchio. The second course was the Trio Sashimi, comprising Blue Fin Tuna, Hamachi and Scallop, paired with the elegant Castello Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio Toscana IGT (2004).

The freshness of the sashimi went well with the rich and refreshing taste of the wine.

Guests also had Grilled Chicken with Teriyaki Sauce, accompanied by the Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino DOC (2003), a deep ruby-red wine with a dry, round, velvety taste and generous body.

Viglierchio said Castello Banfi presently has five red and four white varieties.

The winery was first founded in 1978 and owned by an American family.

“When we transform the fruit into wine, there’s something that we lose in the process.

“A lot is impacted by soil, climate and cultivation techniques, so we have to understand the characteristics of the grapes, right down to when the wines are bottled,” added Viglierchio.

Next came the Simmered Gyu Tongue paired with the Banfi Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva (2001). The mauve red-coloured wine, well structured and spicy, has an intense bouquet with notes of vanilla, liquorice and chocolate, making it a perfect complement to the food.

Japanese Beef Ten-derloin in Teppanyaki Style was then served with the Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (1999), a full-bodied and chunky red with round tannins and a long finish.

Dessert was Macha Ice Cream with Mango Pudding and Azuki, washed down with the Castello Banfi Florus Moscadello di Montalcino DOC (2003) that was bursting with sweet notes of honey and raisins.

“Today's wine dinner deviates from traditional Italian food, to show how Banfi wines can also be used with other cuisines like Japanese,” said Viglierchio.

AsiaEuro Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd is the distributor for Castello Banfi wines.
For more information, call 03-7806 2828.