This’ll bring back the magic of your last Italian holiday.

Emanuele Rocca of Dezzani and Podere don Cataldo Wineries is taking over The Grill Room at The River Lee Hotel in March for latest in the hotel’s decadent series of wine dinners.

On Thursday, March 27th at 7pm, you can settle down at a cosy table and sample some of the stellar wines from Angelo Rocca & Figli, a respected Italian family company founded in 1880, which produces wines from the renowned Italian regions of Puglia and Piedmont.

Podere Don Cataldo is a 100-hectare estate in the heart of Salento, in Puglia, with a focus on traditional regional varieties, and Dezzani is a niche historical cellar in Monferrato, Piedmont, where the emphasis is particularly on Barbera.

In partnership with ENO Wine, Emanuele Rocca of Dezzani and Podere don Cataldo, the fifth generation of his family in the business, will introduce the wines on the night, with a menu designed to complement the selection created by Executive Head Chef Paul Lane.

Emanuele Rocca

A peek at the menu… 

Beginning with cheese gougères and a glass of Vermentino, Podere Don Cataldo 2023, Salento, the dinner begins with a Ballycotton scallop ceviche, yuzu and avocado emulsion paired with Cortese, Dezzani 2023 Gavi, Piedmont.

Slow-cooked pork belly with a spiced mushroom ketchup is matched with a Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Dezzani 2021, Piedmont, and this is followed by roast West Cork Wagyu fillet steak, with carrot, salsa verde, baby turnip and foie jus, partnered by Primitivo, Podere Don Cataldo 2022, Salento.

The dream.

To finish, a selection of fine local Cork cheese with fig jam and lavash crackers will be accompanied by Nebbiolo, Dezzani ‘San Carlo’ 2018 Barolo, Piedmont, and followed by petits fours and tea or coffee.

Tickets for the Dezzani and Podere don Cataldo wine dinners in association with ENO Wine are available from March 3rd from sevenrooms.com and cost €95.