Perfection and Prestige ~ The Elegance of Grace and Ferrari Wines

Conversation at this most recent wine pairing dinner centered around our beautifully crafted and creatively designed small plates of only the best fresh ingredients and the pairing of elegant, sparkling wines. The restaurant was Grace and the bubbles were from Ferrari from northern Italy. Presiding at the head of the table was Marcello Lunelli, Ferrari’s Chief Winemaker, who had flown to Chicago that afternoon. Seven wine writers were invited to share this experience and I will never forget that Sunday evening.

Chicago’s Grace is a restaurant like no other. The service was impeccable with attention to every detail imaginable and the skill of those in the kitchen was jaw-dropping. Multi award winner, Head Chef, Curtis Duffy has a defined culinary style and is described by the press as “thoughtfully progressive” after having received experience at several stellar restaurants. He carefully considers each menu item with intensity and detailed research then uses modern techniques when necessary to enhance the flavor of high quality ingredients. This particular dinner was a remarkable combination of selections from the Flora and Fauna tasting menus. Each course was a precise pairing with Ferrari wines poured. And if you ever have the opportunity to dine at Grace, consider it a blessing.

With the precision of surgeons, members of the kitchen staff prepped several appetizers while we sipped glasses of Ferrari Brut and Ferrari Rose. Marcello Lunelli chatted with each of us and explained with a bit of laughter that during the course of the evening we will not be enjoying Prosecco! All of the Ferrari sparkling wines are made in the Metodo Classico, the process used in making Champagne… and the fact that this process exists in Italy may be a surprise to some of you. The grapes involved, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are cultivated in Trentino DOC where high altitude, arid soil and a diurnal shift of approximately forty degrees can be found.

Giulia Ferrari founded the winery in 1902. A true pioneer, he grew Chardonnay grapes exclusively in the vineyard and accolades for his wines began in 1906. Through the years, sparkling wines from Ferrari have won scores of awards including those from Tre Bicchieri. Since he had no heirs, Ferrari chose as his successor his friend, Bruno Lunelli, in 1952. Currently, the third generation of the Lunelli family supervises over 300 acres of vineyards in Trentino. Marcello Lunelli leads the team of more winemakers and agronomists and I was honored to meet him. Currently, this family winery exudes tradition and a feeling that producing delicious wine is their work or, as Lunelli stated, their “obsession”.

Heralded and respected in Italy, Ferrari wines are now being brought to the American consumer as an elegant alternative to Champagne. The high quality will suit everyone’s taste and the price of many of the wines reviewed below will fit anyone’s budget. In fact, during dinner, all of us agreed that Ferrari bubbles can be enjoyed at any time – not for that perceived “special occasion”! Read on for a virtual taste of Grace and Ferrari wines~

Heirloom Tomate

Burrata, lemon, THAI BASIL paired with…

Ferrari Perle 2006

This Blanc de Blancs of 100% Chardonnay is from estate owned mountain vineyards and was aged for six years on the lees. Aromas of sweet spice, bit of freshly baked bread, and pears were lovely and on the palate, the notes of almonds and marzipan candies were perfect with the heirloom tomate course~

Squab

Kaffir, green strawberry, SORREL paired with…

Ferrari Perle Rose 2006

80% Pinot Noir was blended with 20% Chardonnay to “increase the character” of this sparkler. And with the Chardonnay, the Rose “will remain fresh, lush, drinkable”. These words from Marcello Lunelli described this wine perfectly. The stunning pink and copper colors in the glass were beautiful and…? Light aromas of cherries, earth, and ginger then tastes of minerality and rose petals burst from the glass. Powerful and complex…

Beet

Black garlic, apple, TARRAGON paired with…

Ferrari Perle Nero 2006

The first word which came to my mind while tasting was “magical”. This outstanding Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir) is from grapes sourced from estate owned single vineyard. Aromas were amazingly refined with a tsunami of red fruit, mint, and smoke. Rich and textured with balance there were notes of honey, nuts, and minerality which I love. This outstanding sparkling wine can be considered the “Champagne of Ferrari”!

Miyazaki Beef

Chanterelle, watermelon, MASHUA LEAF paired with…

Ferrari Riserva Lunelli 2005

Another wine with complexity and structure, the Riserva Lunelli is a Blanc de Blancs from 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Lunelli family’s vineyards surrounding the Villa Margon. This was aged in Austrian casks which lent a unique richness to the aromas and tastes. Elegant on the nose with coconut macaroon (well, at least I thought so!) , smoke and lemon, I savored the tastes which included luscious pears, apples, cloves, and more lemon.

Australian Black Truffle

Crème caramel, sherry, CHIVE BLOSSOM paired with…

Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore Giulio Ferrari 1993 & 1994

Both wines were disgorged in 2010, are from a single vineyard from the family estate, and consist of 100% Chardonnay. But there are differences which I discovered while pairing with the Australian Black Truffle course. The 1993 underwent malolactic fermentation and is perfect to drink now. Bubbles in the glass were alive and the notes of baking spice, tropical fruit, and honey with a long finish were enchanting. The 1994 was without malolactic fermentation and could actually be kept in the cellar for twenty more years. Salinity on the nose then minerality and fresh fruits with lime on the palate were stunning.

Lamb

Kale, parsley root, BLACK MINT paired with…

Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore Giulio Ferrari 2001

The Chardonnay grapes in this sparkling wine were from a single vineyard planted at a high altitude. I loved the aromas which included cake batter, fruit, and honey. The fact that it is a 2001 vintage explained the yeasty maturity…but it could be in the bottle even longer. On the palate, fresh flavors of succulent pears, jammy apricots, vanilla, and caramel were present. This was a delicious choice to pair with the lamb course.

Our choice of delectable desserts was served with coffee and espresso.

Kalamansi

Asian pear, black lime, GARDEN SORREL

Rhubarb

Chartreuse, toasted brioche, LEMON BALM

Chocolate

Cherry, hazelnut, HYSSOP

The evening was remarkable. The perfection of the cuisine was stunning. And in some ways I felt as if I had achieved a bit of celebrity status…many notables including Andy Warhol, Queen Elizabeth, and a variety of world leaders have shared toasts and enjoyed Ferrari sparklers. Its legend of a sought after, refined, and prestigious wine continues and for me it was a reality. But of course, you, too can enjoy dining at Grace and the wines of Ferrari which are brought to you at an incredibly reasonable price. The Champagne of Italy? Perhaps! And one which you can enjoy at any time…because you can!

Cheers to perfection and prestige! ~ Cindy