Online Italian Wine Tasting

Join us for a night of Italian wine education and fun as we take a deep dive into Italy’s Veneto Wine Region with Certified Sommelier and Italian Wine Ambassador Michelle Erland. Your participation is tax-deductible and helps ensure State Theatre’s successful reopening this fall in the newly renovated theater for our 100th Anniversary Season.

ABOUT THE HOST

Michelle Erland is a graduate of the Intensive Sommelier Program at the International Culinary Center (French Culinary Institute) and a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. In 2017, she became one of the few Italian Wine Ambassadors in the United States through the Vinitaly International Academy in Verona. Michelle holds an MBA with a concentration in the food and beverage sectors through Johnson & Wales University. She is a Senior Account Executive with Colangelo & Partners Public Relations, an integrated communications agency that specializes in fine wine, spirits, and food. In 2011, she founded Elle Hospitality, LLC where she has not only consulted but has hosted everything from Wine 101 classes to corporate restaurant training programs. More information about Michelle can be found at her website.

ABOUT THE WINE

With a winemaking history spanning over 2,000 years and 20 wine growing regions, Italy is one of the most exciting and diverse wine producing countries in the world. In fact, it's hard to travel a mile in Italy without experiencing some incredible wine.  The Veneto is the largest wine-producing region in the north east of Italy, making everything from Valpolicella, Soave and Prosecco, to simple, but famous Pinot Grigio. 

During the event we will taste through a flight of wines highlighting two of Veneto's most exciting wine regions surrounding the city of Verona:

• Gini Soave Classico DOC 'La Frosca' 2016
• Buglioni Valpolicella Superiore Classico DOC 'l'Imperfetto' 2016
• Buglioni Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 'L'Amarone' 2016

ABOUT THE OPTIONAL STAGE LEFT CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Enhance your wine tasting evening with a sumptuous CHARCUTERIE BOARD from Stage Left and paired with each selected wine by Sommelier Michelle Erland. The board features Three Dried Sausages locally sourced from Keansburg, NJ.  Four Artisanal Cheeses from around the world, including Saenkanter which is a 3-year aged Cow's Milk Gouda from Holland with distinct caramel-butterscotch notes, whiskey-like aroma, and the right amount of salinity.  Next is Barely Buzzed, a cheddar-style, full-bodied cheese made with pasteurized Jersey Milk from Utah. Followed by Prairie Breeze, a white Cheddar style cheese aged for a minimum of 9 months. The texture is crumbly yet creamy with a slight crunch.  Finally, enjoy Bonne Bouche, French for "tasty bite," made with pasteurized goat's milk and inspired by the cheeses from the Loire Valley in France.  To accompany the meats and cheeses, Stage Left has added Candied Pecans and Marinated Olives. The board is enough for 2 or more people and can be delivered by Stage Left to any address within 30 minutes of New Brunswick, NJ.