An Evening at Rosetta with Ronchi di Cialla, Jancis Robinson & Vinos Enteros

Earlier this month, we partnered with our friends at Vinos Enteros to host a very special dinner at Mexico City's Rosetta. The dinner was hosted alongside Ronchi di Cialla Wine, and welcomed Jancis Robinson as one of the guests of honour. As one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Rosetta was an exceptional venue for hosting such a special occasion, where guests were served their signature dishes paired with some of Ronchi di Cialla's most sought after wines. Immerse yourself in an evening of Mexican delicacies and incredible wine with our behind-the-scenes account.

Elena Reygadas, the chef-owner of Rosetta, greeted guests as they arrived for the evening. Guests included restaurateurs, sommeliers, wine collectors and members of the press, as well as Jancis and Ivan (of Ronchi di Cialla). The dinner coincided with Elena being granted the incredible accolade of 2023 Female Chef of the Year by World's 50 Best, providing the perfect opportunity to celebrate!

 Ronchi di Cialla is one of the "official" wineries of Italy, meaning their historic vintages are served to visiting dignitaries during official state dinners in recognition of their contribution to Italy's cultural patrimony. They are arguably one of the only wineries in Italy with such a deep library of white, red and sweet wines, as most tend to specialise in just one of those.

Guests at the dinner had the privilege of tasting a selection of their extremely rare, fine wines at the dinner, including a 40 year old Verduzzo; a very lightly sweet white wine with tremendous ageing potential. Another wine on the list included a 20 year old Ciallabiancos, as well as a dry and very rare Picolit, produced only in small quantities and in exceptional vintages.

As guests tasted the wine, Jancis told the story of the glassware from which they were drinking. She explained to guests why only one glass was necessary for a truly excellent wine drinking experience... as long as it's the right glass! Discover more about the Jancis Robinson Wine Glass here. 

 

As a unique gift, Ivan presented Jancis with sheet music of five original musical compositions for the piano composed by the British classical composer, and friend of Jancis, Pamela Chivers. Each composition represented a wine; Ciallabianco, Schioppettino di Cialla, Picolit Cialla, Ciallarosso and Verduzzo di Cialla.  The music was inspired by Pamela's visit to the estate and experience drinking the wines. 

As the magnum of 30 year old Schioppettino was served, Ivan told the story of his family's rescue of the grape. They painstakingly travelled from vineyard to vineyard across the valley until enough vines were saved that they could be replanted in a new vineyard, where they would go on to produce the first vintage of Schioppettino in 1970. The grape had been declared extinct by the Italian government, but thanks to Ivan family now survives today.

Ivan finished the evening by commenting on how beautiful and unique it was to see his family's traditional, indigenous Italian varietal wines paired with prehispanic ingredients in one of the most iconic restaurants, not only in Mexico or Mexico City, but in all of Latin America.

Discover the menu and wine pairings from the very special dinner below, and make sure to add Rosetta, Mexico City, and Ronchi di Cialla, Italy, to your destination wish list!

The Menu 

A welcome drink of Rosé Di Cialla 2021

A guided tasting to start of:

• Verduzzo Di Cialla 1983
• Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2007
• Pignolo 2015

Appetisers: 

• Rye Bread and Butter with Chicatana Ants
• Green Tomatoes, Molasses, Aubergine and Ocosingo Cheese
• Kale Tacos, Pistachio Sauce and Romeritos (a herb similar to rosemary)
• Smoked Creamed Corn Tamales

Wine Pairings: 

• Ribolla Gialla 2020
• Friulano 2021

Starter: 

• Ricotta and Lemon Ravioli

Wine Pairings: 

• Ciallabianco 1999
• Ciallabianco 2000 

Main Course: 

• Sea Bass, Celeriac and Tarragon

Wine Pairings: 

• Schioppettino 1995
• Schioppettino 2003

Dessert: