Chakra will highlight the unique, and acclaimed, wines of Nino Negri from the Valtellina region of Italy at its next wine dinner on Wednesday January 29th at 6:30pm .

Valtellina is the northernmost part of Italy in the region of Lombardy, located at the base of the Alps on the border with Switzerland. With its extremely challenging terroir, the area produces unique Alpine wines that have only started becoming better known in the US. Chef Thomas Ciszak will serve a five-course menu of hearty rustic dishes to pair with the full-bodied wines. Sara Maule, daughter of the winemaker, will be on hand to discuss the wines.

Founded in 1897, Nino Negri has become one of the premier winemaking estates in Valtellina under the guidance of winemaker Casimiro Maule who has worked there since 1971. In 2007, Casimiro was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Gambero Rosso, Italy’s premier wine publication. Wines featured at the dinner include a white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and four different Nebbiolos from the 2009 vintage. (Nebbiolo is also the grape of Barolo, considered the King of Wines.) The estate specialty, Sfursat (“forced”), a wine made from grapes harvested by hand and dried for 100 days in the cool, dry Alpine air, will be served for the finale. This winemaking style combines the opulence of Amarone with the elegant complexity of Barolo.

The evening begins with a reception of Lamberti Prosecco and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by 5-course dinner. Chef Ciszak’s menu pays homage to the flavors of Northern Italy with cured Brook Trout with fennel & citrus, Octopus & Braised Raddichio, Housemade Rigatoni with braised oxtail, and Leg of Lamb with olive tapenade & goat cheese polenta. A cheese course of Pecorino, honey & country rye concludes the meal – a perfect paring for the intense Sfursat. The dinner is $78, inclusive of food and wine (tax and gratuity additional). 

Nino Negri Wine Dinner on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 6:30pm at Chakra, Paramus, NJ Website

(All events are subject to change. Boozy Burbs is not responsible for incorrect event information. Please contact organizers directly to confirm and RSVP).

Menu

RECEPTION
Passed Hors d’oeuvres
Prosecco, Lamberti

FIRST COURSE
Cured Brook Trout
fennel, citrus vinaigrette
2011 Nino Negri Ca’Brione IGT 2011, Valtellina
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Riesling

SECOND COURSE
Octopus
braised with radicchio
Nebbiolo Nino Negri Quadrio DOCG 2009, Valtellina

THIRD COURSE
Housemade Rigatoni
braised oxtail, pecorino
Nebbiolo Nino Negri Inferno DOCG 2009, Valtellina

FOURTH COURSE
Leg of Lamb
olive tapenade, goat cheese polenta, fried capers
Nebbiolo Nino Negri Fracia DOCG 2009, Valtellina

FIFTH COURSE
Pecorino
honey, orange zest, black pepper, country rye
Nebbiolo Nino Negri Sfursat DOCG 2009, Valtellina