Elizabeth & Wine

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    Celebrating Women, Wine, and Food at Café Murano

    4 December 2024 · 1 min read · by Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite

    Celebrating Women, Wine, and Food at Café Murano

    I recently had the pleasure of hosting a wine tasting for a dynamic group of twenty top women from consulting firm Efficio at Café Murano, St James’s. I created an experience for the group where food, wine and great conversation came together seamlessly.

    We started with a hidden gem, Franciacorta, a sparkling wine from Lombardy. Often overshadowed by Champagne, Franciacorta is Italy's answer to the French classic fizz, delivering elegance and complexity. Unlike Prosecco, this sparkling wine is made in the traditional method, resulting in a richer depth and refined bubbles. It's a must-have for the festive season if you can find it!

    Transcript

    What is a francicotta? This is another sparkling wine, but it's from Italy. And this is the king of sparkling from Italy, not Prosecco. Because this is made in the same way as champagne is made in the traditional method, plus it's made with the same three grape varieties, which is Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. And it just comes from this really small region, which is Central Italy, North Central really, by the lakes of Lake Garda and Lake Como. Stunning, expensive, but worth it.

    Transcribed automatically from the speech, so a name may be misheard.

    The tasting lineup also featured Barolo and Chianti Classico paired with indulgent pasta dishes. The experience of sampling these wines side-by-side allowed us to compare their unique flavour profiles - Barolo's deep structure and Chianti’s vibrant notes truly came to life with a comforting bowl of ragu.

    Food transforms the wine experience, enhancing the flavour profile and revealing nuances you just don’t get when you drink it on its own.

    If you’re interested in hosting an unforgettable wine experience like this with clients or colleagues, get in touch!

    Wine presenter speaking to a seated group in a stylish indoor tasting venueCafé Murano restaurant frontage with outdoor tables and chairsElegant restaurant interior viewed through mirrored doors, with diners seated beneath circular pendant lightsWine bottles chilling in silver ice buckets beside a red chairBellavista Alma Brut bottle beside a Café Murano menuGuests mingle with wine glasses in an elegant restaurant dining roomGuests listen to a speaker during an indoor wine tasting, with bottles and glasses arranged behind themItalian wine bottles and partially filled wine glasses on a wooden tableFour bottles of red wine and two filled wine glasses on a wooden table at a tasting