Review: FREE Wine Seminar at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – Epcot
Nestled in the Italian Pavilion inside Epcot’s World Showcase is the wine cellar Tutto Gusto. It is an intimate space that looks like a traditional Italian wine cellar. They serve a small-plate menu, Italian cocktails, beer and a variety of 200 wines. Yesterday we got to experience a complimentary wine tasting. That’s right, free. Tutto Gusto is offering these wine seminars two times a week. Monday and Thursday from 3:00-4:00 pm. Space is limited and there are no reservations. They will feature 2 different wines to try.
Epcot’s Tutto Gusto has a vast wine selection.
The tables in the back near the wine coolers were all set for the wine seminar. There was enough chairs for about 25 people.
Cyndi from Palm Bay International was our host. She went over all the details of the wines we were tasting. She talked about the background of the vineyards, the grape varieties, how they make the wine, all the descriptions, serving styles and what food pairs best with the wine. She was really informative and took questions from the guests. I liked how small the group was and how easy it was to hear everything Cyndi was saying.
We tasted one red and one white wine. The white was Rocca delle Macie Orvieto Classico and the red was Rocca delle Macie Sasyr. Here is the background on the wine maker… The late Italo Zingarelli who was an Italian film producer, purchased Rocca delle Macie properties in Castellina in Chianti in 1973 and became a big wine producer. His son Sergio now oversees the property and Rocca delle Macie has become one of Tuscany’s head wine estates. Both of the wines come from the Tuscany section of Italy. The wine wine Orivieto was my favorite of the two. I love the lightness of the flavor and the notes of citrus. It’s grape varieties include 50% Trebbiano Toscano, 20% Verdello, 20% Gretchetto & Drupeggio and 10% Malvasia. That’s a lot of grapes variables for one type of wine. You can pair Orvieto with a seafood dish, white meats or a spicy dish of your choosing.
The Sasyr is a blend of sangiovese and syrah grapes. The grapes are carefully harvested by hand and separately fermented. 15% of the Sangiovese is aged in French oak barriques for six months. The Sasyr has more complex flavors and a drier finish. It pairs well with red meats, vegetarian dishes and pasta.
Along with the wine we were served two different types of cheese; a firm Parmesan and a soft fontina with skinny bread sticks. The cheese helped bring out the flavor notes you were tasting in the wines. Both cheeses were yummy.
All in all this was a really fun experience and we learned a lot about the Tuscan region for wine making. This is a great activity for adults to do when wandering the World Showcase. I would advise you to get there a little early to ensure a spot. Just check in with the hostess when you arrive and she will seat you if there is space available. Cin Cin!
Category: Disney Food & Wine
About the Author (Author Profile)
Ashley has been a fan of the Mouse since early childhood. Her love of Disney has grown through the years with Disney’s culture in food, resorts, attractions and entertainment. She is a foodie and loves sharing her passion for cuisine through her writing. She vows that nothing brings people together like a wonderful meal and great conversation. She enjoys cooking, fine dining, photography and traveling.
Ashley is an avid believer that while you are at Disney everyone is a kid again. She is also the Social Media Director of socomradio.com as well as a co-host of Pirate Radio on the station.
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