If you are like me, you believe that wine is not just a beverage; it’s an experience. Moreover, when the wine experience is curated with attention to detail, it can produce an unconventional experience.
That’s how I can describe the event hosted by Famiglia Pasqua at The Modern, a two-Michelin-starred contemporary American restaurant. In the private space at the Modern we were overlooking MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden Thursday October 12th, 2023.
An Unconventional Wine Experience with Pasqua Wines
The artistic atmosphere induced us naturally to reflect on the artistry of Pasqua Wines, the House of Unconventional. This motto defines their production from the vineyard to the uniquely designed labels that speak to their love of art. It was indeed a moment of reflection. Alessandro Pasqua, who was present at the event, reflected: ” I wish my grandfather could’ve seen this, , a truly special moment for us here in the Museum of Modern Art”. Those words struck us with emotion to start the wine tasting. Together with Christy Canterbury MW, we explored the many expressions of Veneto’s most prized native variety with Pasqua Wines: Corvina.
Corvina is a red wine grape variety primarily grown in the Veneto region of Italy. The Corvina grape is commonly used in producing wines such as Valpolicella and Amarone.
Famiglia Pasqua Wine Tasting Line-up
We savored a Rosé from Valpolicella, a Ripasso, and a few vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella while we noted its distinct flavors and aromas.
- 11 Minutes Rosé Trevenezie IGT 2022
- Famiglia Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore 2021
- Familia Pasqua PassioneSentimento Rosso Veneo IGT 2021
- Mai Dire Mai Valpolicella DOC Superiore 2015
- Familia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018
- Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2013
These elegant wines genuinely express their Veronesse and Veneto terroir. For an avid lover of Italian Wines, what stands out from the Ripasso and Amarone della Valpolicella and particularly those from Famiglia Pasqua, is the deep connection with the territory as producers, the elegance of the mouthfeel on each of their styles and vintages. I first had the pleasure of tasting them during a Masterclass in 2021.
I have reflected on Italian Rosé, but it was my first time trying a Rosé Trevenezie IGT that allows the winery to produce an unconventional Rosé. A “fantasy blend,” as Christy Canterbuy MW referred to the blend of Corvina, Trebbiano, Syrah, and Carmenere stands out by their winemaking. 11 Minutes Rosé gets its light pink shade with hints of gold from the 11 minutes that the juice spends in contact with the skins.
The Elegance of Famiglia Pasqua Wines: Ripasso, Valpolicella, and Amarone della Valpolicella
Familia Pasqua is a family-owned winery with a deep-rooted passion for wine and its long-standing connection and tradition with its city of origin, Verona, in the Veneto region of Italy. Verona is a beautiful and historic city well-known for its association with the romantic tale of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The Famiglia Pasqua takes great pride in producing high-quality wines that reflect the region’s unique terroir. They are committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Verona through their winemaking.
As we continued to explore the various styles of Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore, Rosso Veneto IGT, Valpolicella DOC Superiore, and two vintages of the Amarone della Valpolicella DOC, we were struck by the consistent elegance of these wines. Each one displayed a refined and sophisticated character that was truly impressive.
These wines have the potential to age beautifully, but they are also a delight to drink now. Of particular note was the Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018, with its enticing red stone fruit aromas and flavors, subtle hints of toasted almonds, and perfectly balanced tannins. This vintage is reminiscent of a hight altitude Pinot Noir, with its velvety mouthfeel and delightful cherry notes. Overall, I was impressed by the quality and complexity of the Valpolicella wines.
I am looking forward to pairing Famigia Pasqua with holiday dishes to recreate a bit of an Unforgettable Wine Experience.
