Suzanne Branciforte's Italian Grapevine

Or so they say in Italian (La classe non è acqua!)  Maybe it’s Brunello, or Amarone, or Chianti, or Prosecco, or Furore.

See what I mean?

That phrase could have been the caption for Wednesday night’s super gala dinner for Le Donne del Vino (the Women of Wine Association). The event is called Finitaly, a play on words for the end (la fine) and Vinitaly. And a fine event it is, indeed!

It was a rainy night in Verona, but that didn’t stop us! As if they were not decked out enough already (this is one beautiful crowd, believe me!), the master jeweler Gerardo Sacco bejeweled those of us of the association who were game to wear his creations for the evening…

His stellar creations have been worn by the stars, from Elizabeth Taylor to Monica Bellucci. Now this is what I call Made in Italy, with all of the history, beauty, culture and class that that entails!

The evening had an MC and there was a tribute to Stevie Kim, Managing Director of Vinitaly International.

Stevie was honored as an ambassador of wine to the world.

And once more, for the last time at Vinitaly 2015, there was a convivial moment – a moment of eating and drinking together.

Of course, all the vintages were the creation of the members of this splendid association.

Evviva, le Donne del Vino!!!