Gallery: Decanter Italy Fine Wine Encounter 2016

The Decanter Italy Fine Wine Encounter 2016 was held at The Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, London.

The first masterclass featured 11 wines from the volcanic soils of Etna, led by Italian wine expert Ian D'Agata. Look out for a full write up of the masterclass soon on Decanter.com. 'Etna rosso is the hottest red wine in Italy today,' he said.

Ian D'Agata took masterclass guests through the boutique wines of Etna.

Masterclass guests enjoy trying the wines for themselves.

The wines were: Planeta, Etna Rosso 2014; Cottanera, Contrada Diciassettesalme 2014; Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Le Vigne di Eli, Pignatuni 2014; Graci, Arcuria 2013; Passopisciaro, Contrada Guardiola 2013; Federico Graziani, Profumo di Vulcano 2012; Benanti, Rovitello 2012; Tenuta di Fessina, Il Musmeci 2010; Gulfi, Reseca 2010; I Custodi delle Vigne dell'Etna, Aetnus 2007; I Vigneti di Salvo Foti, Vinupetra 2002.

Over 600 people attended the grand tasting, including some of Italy's best wines from many renowned producers.

The second masterclass of the day was hosted by Antinori and involved a focus on Tignanello.

Albiera Antinori, vice president of Marchesi Antinori, led the masterclass. She described how the Tignanello style had evolved since its inception in 1971. More recently, Antinori has pursued a more elegant style for the wine, in-line with a general trend in wine consumer tastes.

Those in the masterclass were treated to: Badia a Passignano, Chianti Classico Riserva 1997; Badia a Passignano, Chianti Classico Riserva 2004; Badia a Passignano, Chianti Classico Riserva 2007; Badia a Passignano, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2010; Tignanello 1999; Tignanello 2001; Tignanello 2004; Tignanello 2007; Tignanello 2010; Tignanello 2013.

Guests at the Decanter Italy Encounter put in the hard yards of training.

The final masterclass of the day was Rare vintages from Italy's leading producers.

The speakers in the final masterclass (l-r):
Roberto Bruno, CEO of Fontanafredda; Marilisa Allegrini, president of Allegrini; Alessio Planeta, president of Planeta; Antonio Capaldo, chairman of Feudi di San Gregorio; Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of Frescobaldi; Diva Moretti Polegato, of Villa Sandi; Marco Caprai, president of Arnaldo Caprai.

Decanter content director, John Stimpfig, mediated the last masterclass.

A full house for the final masterclass of the day.

The 13 wines in the final masterclass were: Villa Sandi, Vigna La Rivetta Cartizze (nv); Planeta, Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2007; Planeta, Santa Cecilia 2005; Frescobaldi, Giramonte 2002; Frescobaldi, Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino 2006; Feudi di San Gregorio, Serpico 1999; Feudi di San Gregorio, Piano di Montevergine 2004; Fontanafredda, Barolo Riserva 1999; Fontanafredda, Vigna La Rosa, Barolo 2001; Arnaldo Caprai, 25 Anni, Sagrantino di Montefalco 2001; Arnaldo Caprai, Montefalco Rosso Riserva 1998; Allegrini, La Poja 2004; Allegrini, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2001.

Vini Italiani turned their stand in the grand tasting into a pop-up wine bar, also serving prosciutto. Reserve supplies had to be used in the afternoon as guests flocked for a taste...

90 producers showcased their wines in the grand tasting.

A selection of 18 Italian winning wines from this year were showcased at the DWWA table using Enomatic machines.