Morton's Women of Spirit Awards
A Celebration of Women, Wine and Goodwill...
Morton's The Steakhouse has partnered with the American Red Cross and the nation's leading women in wine to recognize "Women of Spirit" during exclusive wine dinners at 38 Morton's restaurants from coast to coast.
A "Woman of Spirit" is someone in our community who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to volunteerism and service—a woman who reflects similar values and principles as the American Red Cross. One woman has been selected in each of the 38 Morton's markets and honored during the "Women of Spirit" wine dinner.
Each wine dinner was hosted by one of the top female winemakers, sommeliers or industry pioneers, when she will pair amazing women and amazing wine with a four-course dinner to remember!
The Tasters Guild Orlando joined in the celebration of Women, Wine and Goodwill Monday, June 25, 2007 at Morton’s The Steakhouse on Restaurant Row in Dr. Philips, Florida. We were honored to dine with Anna Abbona, President of Marchesi Di Barolo Wines, Edie Ames, President or Morton’s and the Guest of Honor Karen Ward-Procell, Orlando’s Woman of Spirit.
I was excited to meet Anna Abbona of Marchesi Di Barolo Wines. One of the great names in Piedmontese winemaking, Cantine dei Marchesi di Barolo dates back as far as the 12th century, when the land-owning Falletti family of
Piedmont's Barolo district was granted titles of nobility. Today the estate owns about 100 acres of vineyard in the Langhe, including some of the finest vineyards in the district.
With no less than 38 DOC/DOCG designated zones, the northwest Italian province of Piedmont produces more quality-controlled wines than any other region of Italy and operates some of the most stringent appellation requirements in the nation.
Bounded by France to the west, Switzerland to the north and the Italian Riviera to the south, Piedmont, which means "foot of the mountains," is dominated on three sides by a continuous arc of lofty mountain ranges. Its vinous heartland lies in the Langhe district of southern Piedmont, where the noble Nebbiolo grape, responsible for Barolo (and Barbaresco) wines, reigns supreme.
Setting precedents is a characteristic of Piedmontese winemaking and Marchesi di Barolo, one of the region's premier producers of Barolo, is no exception. In the mid-1800s, Marchesi di Barolo became the first estate in Italy to vinify its red wines in a dry style, a revolutionary concept at the time, but one with enduring and immensely beneficial consequences for the entire Italian wine industry.
In contrast to its noble French counterparts, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, which flourish in various corners of the world, Nebbiolo rarely thrives outside its native Piedmontese habitat. While relatively resistant to frost, damp and mist, it is highly sensitive to terrain, faring best in the Langhe district's chalky, marly soil of maritime origin.
Producing majestic red wines of phenomenal depth, complexity and longevity, Nebbiolo is the earliest red grape variety in Piedmont to bud and the last to ripen. Its name derives from the early morning mists, or "nebbia," that shroud the lower slopes of the Langhe hillsides during the fall harvest period.
The Marchesi di Barolo estate takes pride in the international reputation it has established for its fine Barolo DOCG and two superb single-vineyard crus, Barolo Cannubi DOCG and Barolo Sarmassa DOCG, all made from 100% estate-grown Nebbiolo grapes. Marchesi di Barolo owns over 100 acres of vineyards in the Langhe, including some of the finest sites in the Barolo commune.
Marchesi di Barolo's Barolo DOCG is made from hand-harvested Nebbiolo grapes grown in the uppermost vineyards of the Barolo commune. Aged three years in oak casks, it spends an additional two years in bottle prior to release. Barolo's capacity for aging is proverbial and 20 to 30 years is by no means unusual.
Most Italian wine experts hail the single-vineyard Barolo Cannubi DOCG as the ultimate definition of a world-class Barolo. Marchesi di Barolo owns a major portion of this famed vineyard and produces an outstanding Barolo Cannubi, known for its rich perfume and complexity of flavor that develops a seductive smoothness with aging. The smaller Sarmassa vineyard is less well known abroad than its celebrated Cannubi sibling, but produces a Barolo of particular power and finesse and among winemakers in the Barolo district, it ranks right alongside the more widely known Cannubi in terms of prestige. For more information on Marchesi Di Barolo see their website at http://marchesibarolo.com/pagine/eng/storia.lasso.
We started the evening at 6:30PM with passed hors d'oeuvres of Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with a Mustard Mayonnaise Sauce; Belgian Endive with Blue Cheese; and a Tuna Tartar with Diced Tomato and Avocado in a Thai Cream and Balsamic Glaze. The wine pairing with the hors d’oeuvres was Dolcetto D’Alba. Dolcetto translates to "little sweet one" due to the sweetness of the grape in spite of the fact that it is usually vinified as a dry wine with minimal residual sugar. The wine’s color is intense ruby-red, the bouquet has scents of cherries and almonds and the flavor is dry with a bitterish aftertaste.
The salad course was Mixed Field Greens topped with Grilled Colossal Shrimp, Toasted Walnuts, Blue Cheese and Apple tossed with a Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette. With the salad course we had Gavi Crue Le Lune which was a superb dry white wine. Its delicious flavor is laden with nuances of tropical fruit and honey.
Our entrée was one of Morton’s signatures… Filet Mignon with a Béarnaise Sauce served with Chive Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Tomato Stuffed with Sautéed Spinach and Shiitake Mushrooms. The Filet was prepared to perfection and the Shiitake Mushrooms were a pleasant surprise. Several people at my table said they could make a full meal with those sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms! The entrée was paired with Barbera d’Alba Ruvei Barbaresco. We were lucky to enjoy the 2001 vintage. The color is a deep ruby-red with lilac shadings. The aroma is fruity with scents berries and appealing vanilla overtones and roasted hazelnuts. This wine was Lively, Full-bodied and well-rounded and a perfect pairing for the Filet.
The Cheese Course we enjoyed Green Hill Jersey Cow Milk Cheese, Roasted Wild Rice Gouda, Gore Dawn Zola Gorgonzola, Snow Drop Goat Cheese served with French Baguette. The wine pairing with the Cheese Course was Cannubi Barolo. The Cannubi was garnet-red in color with ruby reflections with an intense odor with clean scents of roses, vanilla, roasted hazelnuts, licorice and spices. The Cannubi Barolo is definitely elegant and full-bodied.
During the dessert course of Chocolate Covered Strawberries we were introduced to the Orlando Woman of Spirit, Karen Procell. Karen is a married mother of two daughters who works as an attorney. In 1993, Karen's older sister was murdered by her abusive boyfriend, leaving behind two young children and a grieving family. Since this tragic event and the ensuing trauma of a highly publicized trial, Karen has been instrumental in helping her niece and nephew cope with the loss of their mother, giving them the same love, attention and support she would later give to her own children.
Determined to spare others from suffering a similar tragedy, Karen has worked tirelessly to advance the rights of abused and battered women. In 1999, Karen founded Return to Respect, an annual fundraiser to benefit the victims of physical and emotional abuse. This event has raised more than $200,000 since its inception to help abused women survive and even thrive. Karen is the past president of Harbor House, the Orange County Center Against Domestic Violence, a not-for-profit organization that provides shelter for abused women and children in Orange County, and CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Orlando, an organization comprised of female real estate professionals.
Karen feels it is important to be involved in the community "to ensure that other women and children do not have to endure the pain and loss my family endured when my sister was murdered, and to get the word out that domestic violence knows no racial, social or economic boundaries and, unfortunately, it could happen to anyone unless we put an end to it."
Karen's compassion for others, professional success, and leadership in the wake of great personal tragedy are indicative of her incredible drive and spirit.
This was a fantastic evening with excellent food, wine and company. Thank you to Morton’s for highlighting Women of Spirit and donating all proceeds of the evenings wine dinner and auction to the American Red Cross of Central Florida. Thank you Anna Abbona for taking the time to come celebrate Karen Procell with us; I know it must be difficult to leave your paradise in Italy!
Cheers!
Nicholas D. Olivieri
Co-Director, Tasters Guild Orlando
