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Uncorked: Emmanuele Berselli
Emmanuele Berselli became a member of the Italian Association of Sommeliers (AIS) 10 years ago and has since worked across Melbourne, Los Angeles, the Spanish island of Formentera and London. He moved to Hong Kong and has worked alongside celebrated chef, Gianni Caprioli at upscale Italian restaurant Giando in Star Street. Berselli speaks to dbHK about inviting Monica Bellucci to dinner and his favourite bottle of Lambrusco.
What vintage are you?
I was born in 1975, an average vintage but the best I’ve tried so far is Gattinara Spanna 1975 from Piemonte and Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1975.
What bottle sparked your love of wine?
A bottle of Allegrini La Poja during an unforgettable dinner in Moena, Trentina.
What would you be as a wine?
Definitely a Rosso di Montefalco, a rustic table wine with lots of character.
Where are you happiest?
In my cellar doing the inventory.
What’s your greatest vice?
Salami and Cabrales, a type of blue cheese made in Asturia, in the northwest of Spain. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Cabrales is quite difficult to find in Hong Kong.
Best advice you ever got?
Don’t follow the money, just your dreams and passions.
Most overused word?
Probably f***! Oops, let’s stick with “medium body”.
Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?
My beloved, Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara ‘Leclisse’.
What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?
The best is the research, the tastings and the discussions with colleagues, winemakers and wine lovers of Hong Kong. The worst is at the end we have to sell it…
What’s on your wine bucket list?
Doing a harvest in Stellenbosch and in Ribera del Duero.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Domenico Clerico, Valentino Rossi and Monica Bellucci. Of course, I would host them all in Giando…
Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)
Sorry, Parker who? 96 points MP and MB.
Which wine would you like served at your funeral?
A magnum of Oasi degli Angeli Kurni Rosso 2001.