Wine on display at the 2004 Italian Wine & Food Gala at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Italian General Consul Min. Antonio Bandini joins Dr. Lucio Caputo in a toast to celebrate the success of the Italian Wine & Food Gala.

Cesare Cecchi of the Cecchi Winery pours his Super Tuscan vintage for one of the many trade visitors at the tasting.

Italy's Ambassador to the U.N., Marcello Spatafora, greets Chef Giovanni Sias of Ristorante Cinqueterre, among 11 New York restaurants at the Gala.

Min. Antonio Bandidi with wife Consuelo survey Restaurant Remi's table at the 2004 Super Tuscan tasting which attracted some 2,400 trade and press.

Dr. Caputo with Dr. Paolo Gasparro of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade of Rome, a key supporter of the wine and food tasting program here.

Panoramic view of the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis where the Italian Wine & Food Gala was staged.

Wines were on display in the Astor Room of the Marquis where the Super Tuscan press seminar and luncheon was held prior to tasting for the trade.

View of the Astor Room during the Super Tuscan press luncheon for some 200 journalists. Sirio Maccioni's staff at Le Cirque 2000 crafted the menu.

Michael Truffini of the Ruffino Winery was one of the Italian producers presenting wines at the Super Tuscan tasting Feb. 17.

Cristina Martiani of Banfi Vintners was one of the exhibitors at the Super Tuscan tasting.

Ferdinando Guicciardini of Castello di Poppiano and Allen Negrin, president of AIMC Company, at the Super Tuscan tasting.

Lionello Marchesi from Castello di Monastero poured one of his Super Tuscan wines at the tasting.

Becky Vuolo and Stefano Paglia of Prestige Wine Imports at the Super Tuscan. Prestige is the importer for Italy's Castello di Querceto Winery.

Giovanni Folonari, of Tenute di Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari, pours for Anna Pakula, U.S. correspondent for Poland's Wino Magazine.

Marco Patrizi and Guya Carpini from Villa la Selva Winery pour one of their vintages for a guest at the Super Tuscan tasting.

Maja Guldener of Terrabianca Winery displays one of her wines for guests at the Super Tuscan.

Frank Grace. of Molino di Grace. and Alberto Marranzano of Domain Slected Wine Estates were among the other participants at the Super Tuscan event.

Andrea Stopponi of Villa San Andrea Winery at the Super Tuscan tasting.

Panoramic view of the many visitors to the Super Tuscan tasting.

Stephen Schue of Castello di Lucignano Winery showcased his wines at the Super Tuscan tasting.

Paolo Dolfini of Noble Harvest represented the Granducato Winery at the Super Tuscan.

Panoramic view of the 9th floor of the Marriott Marquis where the 2004 wine tastings were held.

Seminar panel held Feb. 19 was hosted by wine authority David Rosengarten and organized by the Italian Trade Commission and featured many wineries.

Nicola Bellomo, European Commission to the U.N., chats with Gabriella Biondi, Permanent Mission of Italy to the U.N., at the Italian Wine & Food Gala.

View of the Cantor Room of the Marriott Marquis where the "Evolution of Italian White Wines" seminar was held.

Shown at the Gala (l. to r.) are Nicola Caputo of Cantine Caputo Winery, Min. Antonio Bandini and Filippo Gautier of Martini & Rossi SpA.

Dr. Paolo Gasparro, of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade of Rome, with Filippo Gautier of Martini & Rossi at the Gala.