Photos by Janet Silvera
LEFT: Vice-president of Caribbean Producers, Hugh Logan, and his brand manager of wines and spirits, Safi James (centre), and master sommelier and vice-president of Banfi, Sharron McCarthy, at a CPJ/Banfi wine dinner.
RIGHT: (From left) Caribbean Producers' Tom Tyler; Ritz Carlton's director of food and beverage, Joerg Delin, and his wife, Carla; and assistant, Adam White, enjoy the wine at the event.

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Italian winemaker Banfi sent its most-respected wine education officer, Sharron McCarthy, to train a number of hospitality workers and connoisseurs on the intricacies involved in pairing her products with the international cuisine that the island's chefs have mastered.

McCarthy, vice-president of the organisation, went further last Thursday night, when she took a specially invited group of diners at Half Moon's Il Giardino Italian restaurant right into the vineyards and the foothills of Castello Banfi Tuscan Maremma. With her were local suppliers, Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited, official sponsors of the event.

"Our domain of 7,100 acres (2,900 hectares) is a constellation of single vineyards of noble grapes, ideally suited to the terra and micro-climates," the 30-year veteran told guests.

Hit among experts

Sipping on wines that express a profound respect of their heritage, McCarthy was a hit with experts, Devon Reid, Tom Tyler, Basil Samuels, Giorgio Ruschoni, Jaap van Dam, Hugh Logan and Joerg Delin.

And although an expert at rums, even Bacardi's Erbierto Cuevas was won over. The other epicurean lovers in attendance included Roy and Joyce Delisser, Raymond Rivera, Carla Delin, Adam White, Safi James, Susan Gerber and Lineke van Damme.