 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
      
Olive Garden Media
Mark Jaronski
Please direct all non-media inquiries to: |
 First Grapes of the Harvest Create Novello and a Cause for Celebration
As the bright, fresh colors of summer give way to the subdued golden tones of autumn, the changing season signals something special. In Italy, it is the release of Novello every year in early November. And, with a taste of summer’s final fruits, it’s something worth celebrating. Made from the first grapes of the season, Novello, or “new wine,” is available just two months following the harvest and is intended to be enjoyed young. It is distinguished by an unmistakably bright red color and full-bodied fruitiness. Novello is thought of, even if only allegorically, as a predictor of the year’s vintage. Novello is the Italian counterpart of the French Beaujolais Nouveau, released about two weeks later. Beaujolais Nouveau is produced with one type of grape, Gamay, grown only in the Beaujolais region of France. By contrast, Novello is produced in regions throughout Italy, from north to south, using the most representative and typical grape of the area. For this reason, even if Novello wines have common characteristics of freshness and fruitiness, each one also has a distinct personality, representing its region of origin. “For Italians, the release of Novello is a festive occasion, reflecting the pride of each region,” said Paolo Lafata, Sicily-native and senior executive chef for Olive Garden. “Of course my favorites come from Sicily, where we enjoy it as a complement to a spuntino (snack) of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or roasted chestnuts.” Taking regional differences into account, Novello is an all-course wine making it an excellent complement to soups, antipasti, roasted nuts, cold meats and al dente pasta tossed in a light tomato sauce. |
