THE FANTASTIC ITALIAN WINE JOURNEY FOR BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA THROUGH 10 ITALIAN WINE VINTAGES. A "DREAM TASTING" BY FILIPPO BARTOLOTTA AND DINNER BY SUPERCHEF MASSIMO BOTTURA

It was a "fantastic" Italian wine journey that traced the most important stages of the former US Presidential couple’s personal and political lives, through 10 vintages of wines.
Glasses in hand, as WineNews, one of the most popular wine sites, reported, "The Amazing Italian Wine Journey", was the dream tasting hosts Linda Douglass and the former US Ambassador to Italy, John Phillips gave to Barack and Michelle Obama on their trip to Tuscany. And immediately following the tasting, dinner at Borgo Finocchieto, near Montalcino and the Brunello vineyards, for a few, close friends of the couple (12 guests, including Richard Parsons, businessman, former economic adviser to the President and wine producer of Brunello Il Palazzone, since 2006) prepared by the number one Italian chef in the world, Massimo Bottura, as anticipated a few days ago, at which of course only fine wines were served.
The "Master of Ceremonies" was "The Grape Trotter", Filippo Bartolotta, journalist, critic (Wine and Spirit Education Trust of London diploma), and the eclectic promoter of Le Baccanti that organize luxury food & wine vacations and day tours for Americans in Italy and for Italians in the US (boasting exceptional customers such as Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson).
He personally guided The "Dream Tasting" for the Obamas that he had planned at a charity dinner in the US organized by Alice Waters, vice president of Slow Food the pioneer of food education and inspiration for Michelle’s famous White House vegetable garden. What wines were tasted? Giulio Ferrari Reserve of Fondatore 2005 , Apollonio Rosè 18 Fanali 2014, and Oddero Barolo 1961 , Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 1964 – the birthdates of Barack and Michelle, respectively – followed by Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 2010 and Cecchi Coevo 2011. The wines served at dinner were Gravner Ribolla 2008, Tasca d’Almerita Tascante Buonora 2016, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2009 and Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Riserva 2008.

Like a dream come true - "dream" is a word very dear to the former US President, from his electoral campaign to his autobiography "Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance" (1995) - the Italian Wine Journey for the Obamas witnessed, through the former first citizen, the eternal passion of the American people for Italian wine and its territories, which has always chosen the hills of Tuscany as the number one wine destination on its wish list.

The love of Americans for great Italian wines goes beyond the bottle (in 2016, Made in Italy food products in the United States reached the historic record of 3.8 billion euros, up + 78% in the eight years of the Obama administration, and wine was the leader) and finds its roots in history, where events on both sides of the ocean continue to intertwine. From Filippo Mazzei, the ancestor of what would become one of the most important Tuscan wine families, who centuries ago went to Virginia and planted the first European vines in the US on his friend’s and Obama's "predecessor" Thomas Jefferson’s land, to the new enthusiastic entrepreneurs and VIPs, who from every sector still choose to invest their dreams and finances in Tuscan vineyards to produce their wines. And, amid various commitments, meetings and conferences on the subject of food and the Obama Foundation, Barack and Michelle Obama have chosen to take a private vacation of relaxation at Borgo Finocchieto, Phillips luxury residence. He organized a dinner for them with Bottura, confirming their passion for Italian food so often served during the Obama administration, known also for its "healthy" revolution on food issues.

The personal and political history of the former US Presidential couple was traced through wine, thanks to a journey designed for the Obamas and their dinner guests, from aperitifs to the dinner. The famous three starred chef of the Osteria Francescana in Modena served “a very Italian menu”, Bottura said, “starting with my most famous dish, the 5 seasons of Parmigiano. Then, Chianina meat. Then, tortellino, but sweet. And for dessert, a light flower-based creation”.
The backdrop was the Tuscan countryside and the vineyards of Montalcino, where Michelle spent a few hours shopping, eating ice cream and visiting the historic sites of the city, from the main square to the Fortress.