The Italian Trade Commission will be offering endless opportunities for festival goers to meet with members of the trade and enjoy Italian wine, spirits and unique delicacies. Seminars, Lunch, Brunch, an After Party – Aperitivo and the Serata Italiana – Live on Stage Gala are but a selection of events that will feature these authentic products.

The Italian Pavilion is very pleased to feature celebrity chef, best-selling author and successful restaurateur Lidia Bastianich. One of this year’s distinguished guests, Lidia will headline the 2010 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival presented by the Italian Trade Commission, September 10 – 12.

Aniello Musella,Trade Commissioner – Executive Director USA, Bastianich and world-class Italian auto designer Andrea Zagato will serve as the Honorary Chairs for the Festival which encompasses several distinct events over three days that celebrate MADE IN ITALY Excellence in Wine, Food, Fashion and Automobiles.

The centerpiece of the three-day Festival, the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 11, will feature hundreds of fine Italian and international wines, authentic italian delicacies and cuisine from the region’s top chefs, fascinating seminars, and a Ferrari Concours that will include several of the world’s rarest and most valuable Zagato-designed Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis.

Celebrating its 10th year, the festival is presented by Saratoga Performing Arts Center with the partnership of the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Proceeds raised at the event benefit the education programs of each organization.

“For our festival’s milestone tenth year, we will celebrate Italy's finest in wine, food and auto design with the best possible ambassadors; our presenting partner, the Italian Trade Commission, famed auto designer Andrea Zagato and the ‘first lady of Italian cooking’ Lidia Bastianich. We are thrilled to welcome these honored guests to this year’s Festival and to celebrate with them, the Italian influence on the culture and traditions of America,” said Marcia J. White, SPAC’s President & Executive Director.

Aniello Musella, Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the USA, is “delighted to partner with SPAC once again this year especially in light of the many new exciting events. Participation in this event provides a wonderful forum for trade members to share the very best of Italian Wine, Food and design with a terrifically savvy and discerning consumer segment.”

The Italian Trade Commission will host several seminars . This year’s exploration of the peninsula’s wine will not disappoint; presented by Kevin Zraly, renowned wine expert educator and author of the best-selling wine book in the US Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. Zraly will share insights and advice on understanding, selecting, and appreciating Italian Wines. Notable member of the trade and epicurean, Lou Di Palo, will discuss Authentic Italian Gourmet items.

Bastianich is the host of three PBS cooking shows including the Emmy-nominated and James Beard award-winning cooking series, Lidia’s Italy and the author of several best-selling cookbooks including her most recent, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy. She is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants - Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia's in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. She and her son Joseph also produce award-winning wines at their Bastianich Vineyards in Friuli, Italy.

Italian achievements in auto design will be on display at the Grand Tasting’s Ferrari Concours presented by the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Dr. Andrea Zagato, President and CEO of the legendary Zagato design company, will headline the event. Dr. Zagato’s grandfather Ugo Zagato founded the company which originated the use of aircraft techniques in the design and construction of lightweight automobile bodies. Zagato designed models for Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Maserati, among others.

The afternoon’s auto events include:

· A Ferrari Concours highlighted by significant carrozzeria-bodied, production and competition cars. Ferraris will be joined by a special exhibit of Zagato-bodied automobiles including an ultra-rare Ferrari 575 GT Zagato, one of just six worldwide.

· “100 Years of Alfa Romeo” exhibit featuring both pre- and post-war Alfas. Also part of the exhibit will be the Alfa Romeo BAT 11 and Design Study. Although BAT stood for Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica—aerodynamic studies—each of the automobiles showed a strong resemblance to a winged bat with its exaggerated tailfins. BAT 11 has previously been shown at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and other major concours in both the U.S. and Europe.

· A “Heritage of Italian Design Seminar” led by Dr. Andrea Zagato, with participants Piero Rivolta and Jason Castriotta representing generations of design from Zagato, Bertone and Pininfarina.

New for 2010 are the addition of two events including the “After Party - Aperitivo” – A Celebration of Italian Cocktail Culture on the Hall of Springs South Portico - a post-Grand Tasting event that will offer guests a relaxed lounge atmosphere with gourmet food, spirits and music. Also new to the Festival schedule is the Sunday Italian Sparkling Jazz Brunch at Saratoga National Golf Course which features an elegant brunch buffet, live music and the presentation of the Auto Museum’s “best in show” awards.

2010 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Schedule

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10: Adirondack Road Tour and Luncheon

10:30 AM

Ferrari, Maserati Alfa Romeo and Zagato-bodied automobiles will follow a 1 ½ hour course through the Adirondacks. Guests will have lunch featuring Wines and Foods of Italy at the historic Lake George Club and enjoy Comitti Italian Mahogany Motorboat rides. Tickets: $50

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10: Serata Italiana - Live on Stage Gala, Amphitheatre

7 p.m.

The Serata Italiana Gala evening on SPAC’s Amphitheatre stage will feature exquisite Italian wines, an innovative Italian menu and dancing to live music.The Italian Trade Commission,Lidia Bastianich and Andrea Zagato will be honored. $150

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11: Grand Tasting & Ferrari Auto Show, SPAC’s grounds

1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

· Dedicated Italian Pavilion – all welcome to Indulge in the Real Flavors of Italy

Italian wines, cheeses, olive oils and other specialty products at the Italian pavilion hosted by the Italian Trade Commission

· Vintages from more than 200 international wineries and innovative cuisine from the region’s top restaurants;

· Seminars by Lidia Bastianich, Kevin Zraly, Lou di Palo and Andrea Zagato

· A Ferrari Concours with an emphasis on Zagato-bodied models and a 100 Years of Alfa Romeo exhibit;

Extensive silent and live auctions of luxury items are among the most anticipated features of the Grand Tasting. Items include exotic travel packages, custom jewelry, rare wines, SPAC tickets, original artwork and more. The Live Auction, conducted by Kevin Zraly, features Italian Sparkling Wine and Italian desserts.

Grand Tasting and Live Auction: $75

TURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, After Party -Aperitivo – A Celebration of Italian Cocktail Culture hosted by SPAC’s Junior Committee, South Portico, Hall of Springs

7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

An exclusive lounge party hosted by SPAC’s Junior Committee that will offer savory food, spirits and live music in a relaxed atmosphere. $40

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, Italian Sparkling Jazz Brunch & Auto Awards Saratoga National Golf Course

An elegant brunch at the Saratoga National Golf Course, that will include live jazz, Wine Tasting and presentation of the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s best in show awards. $45

For a full schedule of festival events and to purchase tickets, visit www.spac.org, call 518-584-9330 or visit SPAC’s Route 50 Box Office.
 
for more informationn about the event please contact Simonluca Dettori  at s.dettori@ice.it  or vincenza Kelly at vkelly@italtrade.com

To learn more about the Italian Trade Commission and the Wines and Foods of Italy visit www.italianmade.com