Italian Cultural Institute Hosts Artist, Wine Festival

The following is a press release about an event at the Italian Cultural Institute in Westwood.

VIVA VINO LA, the premiere Italian wine festival presented by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West, The North American Sommelier Association, and Please the Palate, made its grand return to Los Angeles for a second year of illustrious and educational dinners, lectures, tastings and seminars May 14-19 at various locations.

Numerous dinners, wine tastings, parties and art exhibits occurred throughout LA that provided education and entertainment for Angeleno wine enthusiasts and foodies.  A key signature event this year was the special art exhibit and live performance of wine-made paintings that age on canvas by Florentine artists Elisabetta Rogai.

Guests at the Italian Cultural Institute in Westwood were able to sample wines by Podere Sapaio while browsing the wine paintings by Elisabetta Rogai and mingle in the courtyard enjoying the open air atmosphere and delicious nibbles by Il Fornaio Beverly Hills.  Guests were then treated to a special video introduction on the process of how Ms. Rogai paints with only wine, with an introduction by one of LA’s best restaurateurs, Piero Selvaggio of Valentino.  Ms. Rogai was enchanting and hearing the mellifluous Italian roll of everyone’s tongues with English translation by Mr. Selvaggio created a heady atmosphere of anticipation for the EnoArte demonstration.

Watching artist Elisabetta Rogai work the canvas with just charcoal sketch lines made by heating the vine of the grape and then with a bottle of Podere Sapaio red wine was magical.  Beautiful art, delicious food and a magical evening learning about wine and its many uses!