Editor’s note: The writer was invited to this event, and the meal was complimentary.
It was a match made in heaven: Osteria Morini’s sumptuous food, impeccable service and stylish decor, paired with the dazzling wines and expert commentary of Sharon Sevrens, the proprietor of Amanti Vino. The occasion, a celebration of New Jersey’s “festive fall season,” was a wine-dinner reception (“Autumn in Italy”) held at the Bernardsville restaurant.
Highlights
Each of the four courses of food served during the evening was paired with a delicious wine to heighten the flavor of the dish. For this reporter, the favorite wine of the night was the first offering from Sevrens: Lambrusco di Sorbara “La Reserva,” from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It was dry and flavorful, with delicate bubbles — a step above prosecco.
The favorite platter of the night was the second course: Caramelle, thick, hearty pasta that resembled a twist-tied candy wrapper, with slices of exotic mushrooms, scallop affumicato, almond, and sage brown butter. Sensational. Bzikot Puligny Montrachet “La Rousselle,” a dry white wine from France’s famed Burgundy region, paired perfectly with this dish.
A Closer Look
The evening began with a colorful hors d’oeuvres buffet. The first course included grilled octopus, with chickpeas and tomato guazzetto (sauce), served with Bisson Marea, a bold, briny, white wine with earthy mineral tones. The wine is from the Liguria region of Italy, which surrounds the city of Genoa.
The main course featured Barolo braised short rib (“stracotto” or roasted beef), with bone marrow, gremolata (a green salsa made of chopped parsley and garlic), and roasted root vegetables. The savory bone marrow was an absolute delight.
Two red wines helped define this course. Both call Italy’s Piedmont (“Piedmonte”) region home: Elvio Cogno Barolo and Francesco Rinaldi Barolo. Dessert was ravioli fritti, fried sweet cheese ravioli with figs and citrus-scented honey.
Local Pride
The friendly, attentive Osteria Morini waitstaff presented this gourmet feast in a warm, cozy atmosphere. And for me, the meal also was a source of Jersey pride. Credit for executing the impressive menu goes to Bill Dorrler, executive chef, and Jon Rice, chef di cucina — both sons of the Garden State. Dorrler hails from Hunterdon County, while Rice comes from Millstone Township, in Monmouth County.
International Flavor
Sevrens, who introduced each of the wines from her Amanti Vino collection, was gracious and engaging as she demonstrated her vast knowledge of each wine: where it was made, how it was aged, and the characteristics of the wine region’s soil and environment.
Sevrens is a scholarly sommelier with diplomas from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust of the United Kingdom and the Sommelier Society of America, based in New York City. Sevrens serves as a vice conseiller gastronomique of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society based in Paris.
A former Wall Street investment banker, Sevrens said she loves the wine business, loves sharing her knowledge with others and has been orchestrating wine-dinner receptions for over 15 years. She established Amanti Vino in Montclair in October 2005. Two years later, Sevrens expanded the shop. She launched Amanti Vino in Morristown, in June 2018.
Make a Night of It
If the opportunity presents itself, a wine-dinner event is a beautiful night out with friends, guaranteed to deliver sparkling conversations. Cheers, salute, and bon appétit.
Osteria Morini
107 Morristown Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
908-221-0040
Amanti Vino
30 Church Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-509-9463
60a South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-267-9463
