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Italian Wine Specialist Students Continue Their Voyage “Down the Boot” – NASA Certification Course Continues on November 9th at Toscana Divino and Concludes with a Certification Exam
Miami, FL…November 4, 2013…It was the dinner and not the school bell that rang at 9:30am on Saturday, October 26th when the Italian Wine Specialist Certification Course commenced. Perfectly staged at one of Miami’s most popular Italian restaurants, Toscano Divino, a group of wine professionals and recreationists gathered to learn all that there is to know about Italian wine. Under the tutelage of, Goldpin Sommelier and Master Taster, Diego Meraviglia, the first two days of the course explored, through tastings and lecture, the northern wine regions of Italy. The course also covers Italian wine laws, regulations, grape varietals, traditions, trends, history, cuisine and culture. “The classes on Saturday and Sunday went well and I thought that there was a lot of great content on both days,” commented participant, Robert Horvath. “Diego did a great job teaching the class by making things that are confusing, easier to understand. I thought that the best white was the Soave Classico and the best Red was the Aglianico del Vulture.” The North American Sommelier Association (NASA) and Just Quality Importer Inc.(a South Florida wine distributor based in Miami Beach) presented the first Southeastern US offering of this four day, certification program. It has been and will be presented in major cities throughout the US as well as Toronto and Montreal, Canada. All instructors expertly know the country, as Italian natives, and wine, as certified sommeliers. "It was a real pleasure to kick off the first North American Sommelier Association course in Miami. It is not only a focal U.S. city, but a real up and coming culinary market. I found a warm, welcoming, and friendly class and staff (just like the weather) as well as a lovely setting in Toscana Divino with fantastic food and a boastful wine list,” commented Meraviglia who is also the Vice President and Director of Education at NASA. Students will continue to explore the central and southern regions of Italy when classes continue on November 9th and 10th, and then have an opportunity study and prepare for the certification exam to be administered on November 23rd. Registration for this course has closed, but the Media is welcome to photograph either the November 9th or 10th classes or the certificate awards presentation following the exam on November 23rd [time to be confirmed.] Media is asked to RSVP to allegorypr@gmail.com and provide press credentials upon arrival.
“For me, some of the highlighted of the course was the Villa, Franciacorta DOCG sparkler, and the Prosecco by Balan Prosecco - a producer able to imitate a DOCG quality with a DOC wine,” concluded Meraviglia. “I am confident that this first edition of the 'Italian Wine Specialist' will mark the beginning of many courses and classes in Miami. I am looking forward to returning...it's so much fun." Photos: 1> Diego Meraviglia, NASA Vice President and Director of Education and a Gold Pin Sommelier and Master Sommelier leads the NASA Italian Wine Specialist Certification course. Photo Credit | Just Quality Importer Inc. 2> With four days of classes and an exam, students fully explore all 20 wine regions of Italy, wine laws, regulations, grape varietals, traditions, history, cuisine, and culture. Photo Credit | Just Quality Importer Inc. 3> Enrollment includes texts and course books, wine colors chart, a promotional NASA membership for the current year, and tasting of over 30 quality wines from all regions of Italy. Photo Credit | Just Quality Importer Inc. 4> Lead Instructor, Diego Meraviglia and Just Quality Importer President, Alessandra Orlich create and present a curated wine list. Toscana Divino provided the perfect Italian setting and lunch. Photo Credit | Just Quality Importer Inc.