Bottega and Chef Mauro come together at EQ

EQ Kuala Lumpur hosted the media to a special Aperitivo Hour and Wine Tasting at Bottega Lounge recently and introduced them to Sandro Bottega, President of Bottega SpA, one of the world’s largest producers of grappa and sparkling wines, and distributor of Italian premium quality beverages and food products to over 120 countries worldwide.

Sandro began managing his late father’s distillery at the age of 19, supported by his siblings.
Over the years, he has been instrumental in increasing awareness of grappa and Italy’s
sparkling wines to larger, international markets. Today, the Bottega brand is synonymous with
high quality liqueurs such as Limoncello, Bacur gin, the Bottega wine range (Bottega Gold
especially), and Stardust Prosecco. The Bottega brand is also the second-best selling sparkling
wine in travel-retail, distributed in about 300 airports around the world, on 60 airlines, and some
of the best wine shops globally.

In Malaysia, EQ is home to the Bottega Lounge, a space serving luxurious high teas and some
of the most outstanding of the Bottega range of wines.

Joining Sandro in Malaysia was celebrated Italian chef, Mauro Civiero, who presented a tasting
menu from the Bottega 100 Gold Book of recipes. The five menu items were selected
specifically for their affinity with the Bottega wines selected by Sandro for the tasting. The wine
list includes Bottega Gold Prosecco DOC Spumante Brut and Bottega Rosé Gold Pinot Nero
Spumante Brut Rosé.

Chef Mauro’s offerings included Amberjack Tartare marinated with sun-dried tomatoes, capers
and olives, with zucchini threads was simple and refreshing while the Buffalo Mozzarella emulsion with wild oregano, tomato jelly and basil was unusual as the jelly base was firm, resembling a slice of pumpkin. The contrasting textures were a lovely touch to the creamy Mozarella.

I found the Venetian Crabmeat Salad with eggplant slightly on the dry side, but the accompanying wine served to bring out the best of the flavours; the sou vide Rosé Veal, braised with a myriad of herbs, and paired with Mascarpone Tuna Mousse and Sbrisolona was surely the highlight of the day, tender and moist.

Sandro spoke about Bottega’s fortuitous collaboration with EQ Kuala Lumpur, and the symbiosis between the two brands. EQ Kuala Lumpur’s General Manager, Gerard Walker said, “Both EQ and Bottega are committed to quality, luxury experiences. This is why as the capital’s newest five-star property, we are delighted to be in collaboration with Bottega, so that we can offer our guests the sophistication of the Bottega Lounge where only the finest foods and spirits are served.”

Sandro Bottega and Chef Mauro were in Malaysia for a series of events in EQ Kuala Lumpur,
which included a curated wine pairing dinner, and a wine Masterclass.