Catering to discriminating palates, Crystal Cruises will once again feature some of the world’s rarest and most prominent wines in two 2008 Ultimate Vintage Room Dinners. For an intimate spring dinner for just 12 guests, Piero Selvaggio of the famed Valentino restaurants will present creative culinary specialties with 13 vintages from his coveted private wine collection, including a “Super Tuscan” 1997 Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido and a Piedmontese 1964 Barolo Riserva Granbussia Aldo Conterno. The lavish $1,250-per-person dinner will be served aboard Crystal Symphony’s March 30 voyage from Beijing to Hong Kong.
“Many of our guests crave exclusive experiences that would be virtually impossible to replicate anywhere else,” said Toni Neumeister, Crystal Cruises’ vice president, food & beverage operations. “Piero is renowned for cultivating one of the finest wine cellars in the world, and rarely shares it with the public. To be able to savor his personal selections, with his added expertise, is an incredible treat.”
With a menu of fresh Alaskan crab cakes, California quail and mascarpone-and-prosciutto-stuffed bucatini, Selvaggio is pairing:
*Louis Roederer Cristal Rose, Brut, Reims, France 1999
*Bianco “Breg” Anfora, Josko Gravne, Venezia Giulia 2001
*Trebbiano D’Abruzzo, E. Valentini, Abruzzo 2001
*Chardonnay, Ca’del Bosco, Maurizio Zanella, Lombardia 2003
*Barbaresco, Angelo Gaja, Piemonte 1989
*Barolo Riserva “Granbussia,” Aldo Conterno Piemonte 1989
*Barolo, Giacomo Conterno, Piemonte 1964
*Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Tuscany 1997
*Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Biondi Santi, Tuscany 1970
*Amarone della Valpolicella, “Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta”, Romano Dal Forno, Veneto 2001
*Vin Santo, “Occhio di Pernice” Avignonesi, Tuscany 1995
Piero Selvaggio’s cuisine can be found in Prego restaurants aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have long been offering wine-makers dinners in their Vintage Rooms, available on every itinerary at a cost of approximately $200 per person, depending on wines selected. Introduced in mid-2007, the Ultimate Vintage Room Dinners met with huge success, selling out in a matter of hours.
Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner reservations must be made on board with the Crystal Dining Room maitre d’. The second of the ultra-exclusive dinners is scheduled aboard Crystal Serenity later this year.
