Chicago Wine-An Exclusive Cafe Spiaggia Wine Dinner with Special Guest Edoardo Falvo Owner of Tuscan Montepulciano Estate Avignonese

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:30PM

Cafe Spiaggia

980 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

30 Seats Available

With very Special Guest:

Edoardo Falvo owner of Avignonese and Li Velli

A special 5 course menu paired with 6 wines prepared by

Spiaggia Chef/Partner Tony Mantuano

With wine pairings presented by

Spiaggia Wine Director and Sommelier

Steven W Alexander

$195 Per Person Includes Tax and Gratuity

Reservations: 312.280.3300

Link to the Avignonese Web Site:

http://www.avignonesi.it/eng-aziende.htm

Spiaggia and Chef/Partner Tony Mantuano are proud to announce an exclusive wine dinner at Cafe Spiaggia with the historic Tuscan estate Avignonese featuring owner Edoardo Falvo.

Signore Falvo will be presenting wines from his Montepulciano estate as well as his very exciting new project in Puglia, LiVelli.

In 1309 pope Clement V transferred the papal residence from Rome to Avignon, France. In 1377, when pope Gregory XI moved the papal residence back to Rome, some noble families of Avignon left France to follow him. It was at that time, in Italy, that one of those families became known as Avignonesi - probably to simplify an otherwise difficult, foreign name. Soon the Avignonesi family separated into three branches which settled in Rome, Siena and Montepulciano.

It is not known exactly when Avignonesi's cellars were built, but they are doubtless among the most ancient in Italy. Palazzo Avignonesi was built according to a design by Jacopo Barozzi (called Vignola) in the second half of the XVI century and it has always been the cellars' seat.

We will be tasting an array of wines from the Avignonese estate including Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005, the opulent Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate 2003 and the ultra-rare Vin Santo 1995, which it can safely be said is Italy’s most highly regarded and sought after Vin Santo and a revelation to those who have had the chance to sip this nectar of the gods.

In addition to the Tuscan wines of Avignonese, Signore Falvo will be presenting two wines from his cutting-edge Puglian esate, Li Velli: Negroamaro ‘Passamante’ 2005 and Salice Salentino ‘Pezzo Morgana' 2004.

A limited number of hand signed bottles by owner Edoardo Falvo will be available for purchase offered exclusively through:

Perman Wine Selections 802 W Washington, Chicago, IL 312.666.4417 www.permanwine.com