The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada hosted its third annual “Flavours of Italy”, a celebration of Italian food and wine at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside on April 27th, 2005.  The past two events have been successful fundraisers featuring the Regions of Piemonte and Abruzzo; this year’s event will promote the Region of Sardinia.

 

“Flavours of Italy” is a promotional initiative comprised of a British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch thematic in-store promotion; a wine and food tasting for media and hospitality industry professionals; a trade show promoting industry from Sardinia; a wine reception with over 125 Italian wines being promoted; and a gala evening fundraiser dinner to benefit the Chamber.  Each of the seven courses of the gala dinner boasted authentic ingredients from Sardinia and were paired with wines imported directly form Sardinia.  The dinner was also prepared by a chef flown in from Sardinia.

 

Please click on the following images to view full gallery:

 

 

Oristano Sardinia

 

The territory of Oristano is a world waiting to be discovered - a world of sunshine and dazzling white beaches. Oristano’s generous land, fertile plains, soft rounded hills, centuries old trees, marshes and wetlands are secrets waiting to be discovered. This world is teeming with exotic birds and plant life to the delight of scuba divers and nature lovers.

Oristano’s religious festivals and cultural celebrations, for example Sartiglia of Oristano, the Ardia of Sedilo or Sa Carrela 'e Nanti of Santulussurgiu, will remain deeply imprinted in your memory. It is a world of fascinating Nuraghic monuments, such as the Nuraghe Complex of Losa, the sacred well of S. Cristina.  Ancient cities, like the Phoenician Tharros or the ancient Roman spa city of Fordongianus will take you back to another time.

A world of mouth-watering treats - the delicious local beef Bue Rosso, Casizolu cheese, Bottarga (dried mullet's roe), and the world famous Vernaccia dessert - will satisfy your palette for good food.

Cagliari - Elmas Airport is less than an hour's drive away from Oristano, offering wonderful sea views and landscapes as you drive through beautiful towns and villas. The city also has a number of excellent railroad links to the main stations of Sardinia.

Visit Sardinia and discover the Island.

 

 

Il territorio di Oristano e’ una terra da scoprire, una terra fatta di acque cristalline, caldo sole, abbaglianti spiaggie bianche, scogliere a picco e selvaggio maestrale. E’ una terra generosa, di pianure fertili, dolci colline, antiche foreste e paludi. E’ una terra protetta, con oasi faunistiche, marine e parchi naturali, ricca di uccelli e vita vegetale, paradiso di ornitologi, botanici, sommozzatori e amanti della natura. E’ una terra di cultura e tradizioni, feste e celebrazioni religiose le cui processioni si imprimono nella memoria di chi guarda, come nel caso di Sartiglia di Oristano, Ardia di Sedilo o Sa Carrela 'e Nanti di Santulussurgiu. E’ una terra di affascinanti ed imponenti monumenti Nuraghi, come il complesso nuraghe di Losa, il pozzo sacro di santa Cristina, antiche citta’ tra cui la citta’ fenicia di Tharros e la citta’ termale romana di Fordongianus. La provincia di Oristano e’ pero’ anche una terra di prelibatezze, piatti tipici e specialita’ locali, come il delizioso bue rosso locale, il saporito formaggio casizolu, la molto apprezzata bottarga - uova di muggine pressate e seccate sotto sale -, l’irrestistibile merca – muggine cotto al vapore e avvolto in erbe aromatiche-, il muggine grigio fresco, le anguille e il famoso vernaccia. L’aeroporto di Cagliari- Elmas dista meno di un’ora: imboccando l’autostrada 131 direzione nord, si possono prendere le uscite di Santa Giusta, Aeroporto di Fenosu o l’uscita di Oristano Nord. Coloro che invece arrivano ad Oristano dal nord dell’isola possono imboccare la strada 292 Alghero-Oristano, che offre incredibili paesaggi e attraversa Bosa, Tresnuraghes, Santa Caterina e la foresta di pini di Is Arenas. La citta’ e’ infine ben servita anche dalle linee ferroviarie, che la collegano alle maggiori stazioni dell’isola.

 

 

  

Event Programme

 

6:00

Doors Open

Wine Reception, Members’ Trade Show, Sardinia Showroom

 

8:00

Dinner

Welcome address ~ MC David James

 

Greetings ~ Lucio Sacchetti

President, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada

 

Guests of Honour

Piero Franceschi (Commissar of the Chamber of Commerce of Oristano)

Enrico Massidda (Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Oristano)

Giorgio Pala

Paolo Ramella

Gianluca Cirronis

Giorgio Caddeo

Maria Rosaria Onidi

Salvatore Piludu

Lucetta Milani

Massimiliano De Seneen

Stefania Riccio

Chef Graziano Cau

 

 

Live Auction:

Barry Scott of Maynards

 

Raffle :

Instant Wine Cellar

 

Dinner prepared by – chef Graziano Cau

With kind collaboration of the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside Executive Chef Kevin Greehy

 

 

Menu

Stuzzichini

Mostaccioli

 

Misto di Antipasti

Canapés with Bottarga spread ~ Sardinian Caviar

Canapés with Sardinian Pecorino cheese spread

Cherry tomatoes with Sardinian Mascarpone cheese spread

Bottarga pieces with celery and radicchio

Sweet and sour pickled onions

Smoked mullet

 

Primo Piatto di Pasta

Malloreddus ~ dumplings with Gorgonzola, Parmigiano,

& Pecorino Cheeses

 

Primo Piatto di Riso

Risotto with Bottarga and fresh tomatoes

 

Secondo Piatto di Pesce

Sea bass fillet in a Vernaccia sauce

Seasonal vegetables

 

Secondo Piatto di Carne

Lamb stew with Sardinian fennel

Potatoes with fine herbs

 

Formaggi e Liquori

Roasted Sardinian Pecorino cheese with Carasau bread

Mirto liqueur, Limoncello, & Filu e Ferru

 

Dolcetti, Liquori e Caffé

Sardinian pastries, Eau-de-Vie, & Coffee

 

Vini

Vernaccia Iosto Puddu, Cannonau, Vermentino, Monica,

Terras, Semidano

 

 

Flavours of Italy 2005

Live Auction

 

Item One ~ Summer Whistler Retreat

A perfect getaway!  Two of you will enjoy two nights at the Alpine Chalet in a deluxe suite in the Whistler Village.  Arrive in style in a beautiful Maserati which is yours for the weekend; drive the Sea to Sky Highway like never before. 

Blackout Dates High Sky season

Retail value: approx. $1,200

• 2 nights deluxe stay ~ Alpine Chalet
• Maserati for the weekend ~ Ferrari Maserati Of Vancouver

 

Item Two ~ Dine out & Opera with James W. Wright

Two of you will join the General Director of the Vancouver Opera, Mr. James W. Wright on May 3^rd at Amarcord Ristorante in Yaletown.  You’ll match the glamour of this chic part of town with a lovely Salvatore Ferragamo Bag while enjoying a 5 course dinner beginning at 5:30 pm.  Enjoy Antipasto’s, Fresh Atlantic Lobster on a bed of Pasta, choice of a main course, and Vancouver’s best Tiramisu.  Be chauffeur driven from Amarcord at 7:30 pm to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for Giuseppe Verdi’s “Masked Ball” grand opera, as guests of Mr. James W. Wright.

Retail value:  $1,600, Mr. James W. Wright’s company:  priceless

• Dinner-for-four ~ Amarcord Ristorante
• 2 tickets to Masked Ball May 3^rd, 2005 ~ Vancouver Opera
• Transportation to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre ~ Paramount Limousine
• Salvatore Ferragamo Bag

 

Item Three ~ Venice

Vancouver based - Paul Ygartua is an excellent artist and designer, this international artist is an original creator producing remarkable work.  Let his pieces add brilliance to your home. www.ygartua.com

Retail value: $1,500

 

Item Four ~ Trip for two to Sardinia
Depart Vancouver and arrive on the Island of Sardinia for a 15 day holiday you will never forget.  Experience the culture that’s unique in style ~ relax on a white beach or hike through a green oasis.  Enjoy the natural beauty of Sardinia while staying in converted farm houses and boutique hotels ~ 6 nights in Cabras, 4 nights in Fordongiuanus, 3 nights in Abbasanta, & 2 nights in Oristano.

Blackout Dates: July 1~September 15 & December 20 – January 2

Retail Value: $12,500

• 2 Round trip airline tickets ~ Lufthansa Airlines
• 15 nights @ four hotels ~ Villa Canu, Sa Pedrera, Mandra Edera, & Hotel Mistral

 

 

Flavours of Italy 2005

Live Auction

 

Item Five ~ Dinner Party

Six of you will enjoy an at home catered dinner with your own Renaissance Hotel private chef and waiter.  WOW everyone at the table when you bring out a Magnum of Cantine di Santa Maria La Palma - CAGNULARI doc 2002 from Alghero in Sardinia ~ A Delicious Rare Gem! 

Retail value:  $1800 (Prize cannot be used on holidays and long weekends)

• Dinner-for-Six ~ Renaissance Hotel & A. Bosa & Co Ltd
• Magnum of Sardinian Wine ~ WineQuest wine & spirit brokers Inc.

 

Item Six ~ Luxury Spa

Drive a Mercedes to Harrison Hot Springs where you will enjoy a weekend of relaxation and pampering with your spa treatment for two at Araina’s Spa

Retail Value: $800

• Mercedes ~ Platinum Touch Auto

• Weekend hotel accommodations ~ Executive Hotel Harrison Hot Springs

• Spa treatment for two ~ Araina’s Spa

 

Item Seven ~ Vancouver Playhouse Package

Entire proceeds to the Vancouver Playhouse Company

Be a VIP at the Playhouse; receive invitations to receptions and special events when you become a Producer’s Circle Member.  Enjoy wines from around the world at the Tasting Room of the Playhouse International Wine Festival, where 170 wineries will tempt your senses.  That’s not all…Receive entrance to the private Gold Pass Lounge where you will nosh and sip wines from around the world.

Retail price:  $2210

• Two subscriptions to the Opening Night Series
• Producer’s Circle Membership
• A VIP Gold Pass to the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival
• Two tickets to the Dine Italia Lunch at La Terrazza

 

Item Eight ~ Victoria Trip

You’re a VIP when boarding a West Coast Air Float Plane with your round trip tickets between Vancouver and Victoria.  Enjoy a two night stay & brunch at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Victoria with your weekend package.

Retail price:  $1,100

• Two round trip tickets from Vancouver to Victoria ~ West Coast Air
• Weekend accommodations including brunch ~ Marriott Hotel

 

Raffle Prize: Instant Wine Cellar

Become the envy of your family during those holiday dinners with a variety of fine Italian wines

Special Thanks to Auctioneer: Barry Scott, Maynards

 

Flavours of Italy 2005

Wine Tasting Reception

 

List of participating Wine Agencies

Boccaccio Investments

Calibrium International

Charton-Hobbs

Corby Distilleries

Empson (Canada) Inc.

Enoteca Bacco

International Cellars

Liquid Art Fine Wines

Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

Peacock & Martin

Philippe Dandurand Wines

Renaissance

Seacove Group

Select Wines

Stile Wines

WineQuest

Wine Rhapsody

Winspeer International Group Ltd.

 

List of participating wineries

 

Flavours of Italy 2005

Donors

 

Special thanks to :

 

A. Bosa & Co Ltd

Vancouver’s Italian food store

562 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

604-253-5578

 

Italian Florist & Gifts

604-291-7191

www.italianfloristandgifts.com

 

Sardinian Wine Donors for the evening’s dinner

Cantina Josto Puddu, www.cantinapuddu.it

Silvio Carta SRL, www.silviocarta.itt

Cantina Sociale il Nuraghe, www.ilnuraghe.itt

Compagnie Figlie Sacro Cuore Evaristiane

 

 

Sardinian food donors for the evening’s dinner

Pastifcio F.lli Cellino SRL, www.disardegna.it

Corso Umberto
Blue Marlin SRL, www.bottarga.it

Riso della Sardegna, www.risodellasardegna.it

Silvio Carta SRL, www.cantinapuddu.it

Dolci Sardi di Maffei Michela

Sarda Delizie SRL

Atzori Fiorenzo di Atzori Gian Luca & C SNC

PIEVI SRL, www.ilformaggio.it

Soc. Coop. Pescator & Molluschicoltori

L’Oro di Cabras www.orodicabras.com
Su Guttiau, www.guttiau.it

Mostaccioli Oristano SNC

 

Planning Committee :

David James, Milena Santoro, Rita Bellano, Silvia Bellini-Negroni, Bruno Benedet

 

 Thank you to all that attended.....

...........Grazie