Dame Francine Segan, named USA spokesperson by the Italian Confectioners Association and Buonitalia SpA, hosted an Italian dessert reception for fellow NY Dames in her home on Park Avenue on March 25th. The event celebrated the launch of Italy’s first official sweets and dessert wines website: www.DolceItalia.com

Attendees sampled dozens of Italian sweets, each paired with a different Italian dessert wine. Treats included assorted licorice; various types of Colomba cake—Italy’s classic Easter dessert; several kinds of cookies from both Tuscany and Sicily; panforte; and several types of chocolate, including gianduiotti—a blend of chocolate and Italian hazelnuts.

Dame Segan explained the fascinating history behind some of the treats and also conducted a chocolate making class modeled after one she had just enjoyed at the Perugina Cooking School in Perugia, Italy.

Desserts courtesy of:
Amarelli, Bauli, Corsini, Falanga, Leone, Perugina, Venchi, and Vicenzi

Dessert wines and digestif courtesy of:
Consortium for the Protection of Asti D.O.C.G., Caffo spirits & beverages, Cinzano, Mondoro, and Palm Bay Importers.

The evening sponsored by:
Aidi-- the Association of Italian Confectionery Industries; BUONITALIA S.p.A, the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (Mipaaf) and Dolce Italia.