To celebrate the 90-year anniversary of the Poderi dal Nespoli estate and winery, we teamed up with Select Wines for an evening of wine tasting, where guests could sample five different wines from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

Hosted at Berkeley Field House – everyone’s dream wedding destination – the bright, airy space lent itself perfectly to the laid-back atmosphere of the evening. Upon entering through the red fenced-in gate, guests were offered a glass of Campodora and handed their own personal ‘wine passport,’ which allowed them to receive a stamp for each wine they sampled.

From there, guests visited different wine tables to learn more about each wine’s background and unique taste. Each wine from the Emilia Romagna region has something unique to offer. From the Campodora, which was the first white wine to receive the DOCG appellation – the highest indicator of quality among Italian wines – to the intense citrus blend of the Nespolino Trebbiano Chardonnay and the balanced, delicate aroma of the Dogheria Pinot Bianco. The evening’s red wines included the soft, dry taste of the Nespolino Sangiovese Merlot, as well as the cherry and plum notes of the Prugneto Sangiovese Superiore.

Italian chef and sommelier Carla Brigliadori flew all the way from Italy to partake in a special pasta making demonstration. Guests were welcome to ask questions, receive cooking advice and get an authentic feel for what it takes to make this classic Italian dish.

All guests who completed their passports entered a giveaway for a SMEG mixer, complete with pasta making tools. Three lucky winners took home a SMEG mixer in the colour of their choice.

Later in the evening, we treated guests to an array of desserts that included tiramisu, truffles and a strawberry rhubarb tart. Our dessert wine was a hit – the Viticoltori Acquesi Brachetto D'Acqui (which can be found at the LCBO) has a sweet, fruity taste that provided the perfect finish to an extraordinary night.