Enjoy the ultimate Italian feast this November at The Oakroom’s wine dinner, Swine to Vine: a Pig’s Tour of Italy. Held on Wednesday, Nov. 10, the evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by a six-course gourmet dinner. Prepared by chef de cuisine Bobby Benjamin, each dish will feature products from Colonel Bill Newsom’s Aged Kentucky Country Ham and fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms. In attendance will be Nancy Newsom Mahaffey, aka “the Ham Lady,” who will discuss with guests the different types of artisan pork used in each dish. David DuBou of Vintner Select will also be in attendance, and available throughout the evening to answer any questions about the Italian wines paired with each course. The cost is $69 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a table, please call Julie DeFriend at 502-643-0046 or Melissa Getz at 502-585-9292.

Italian wines and menu to be featured include:

Reception

Bortolotti Prosecco “Extra Dry”, Veneto NV

First Course

Head Cheese Terrine with Woodford Reserve bourbon brioche toast, persimmon, pickled red onion and “many flavors of olive”

San Pietro Schiava, Alto Adige 2009

Second Course

Newsom’s Prosciutto with Greg’s Grateful Greens, Capriole Farms Piper’s Pyramid, sweet potato, fig vincotto and bacon mustard

Renato Corino Barbera d’Alba, Piemonte 2007

Third Course

Pork Belly Confit with aji amarillo aïoli and roll-up, toasted pine nuts, crispy Brussels sprouts and finger limes

Cantina del Taburno Falanghina, Campania 2008

Fourth Course

“Just A Bite”

Newsom’s Roasted Ham Ice Cream with porridge, cherry cordial taffy and pineapple gastrique

Fifth Course

Porchetta with Sheltowee Farms foraged mushrooms, pork jus, Parmesan potato purée and black garlic

Giacomo Mori “Palazzone-Siena”, Toscana 2007

Sixth Course

Biscuit and Gravy

Newsom’s Aged Country Ham Crisp with bacon and egg ice cream

Albino Rocca Moscato d’Asti, Piemonte 2009

About Vintner Select

Vintner Select was founded in 1989 with the vision of bringing the finest quality wines from around the world to the Midwest. For more information, call (513) 229-3630 or visit www.vintnerselect.com.

About The Oakroom

For 11 consecutive years, The Oakroom has been Kentucky's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant. Located inside Louisville’s prestigious Seelbach Hilton Hotel, the restaurant focuses on using only the finest seasonal ingredients while supporting regional farmers and local artisans who grow and raise food in a manner that cares for the land and protects food traditions of the past. For more information, visit www.theoakroomlouisville.com.

About Colonel Newsom’s Aged Kentucky Country Ham

Established in 1917, Colonel Newsom’s Aged Kentucky Country Ham is owned and operated by Nancy Newsom Mahaffey, aka "the Ham Lady." Known throughout the world for its high-quality, naturally-cured hams, in May 2009 the company was selected to participate in the 5th World Congress of Dry Cured Hams in Spain. To date, Colonel Newsom’s Aged Kentucky Country Ham remains the only U.S. ham company invited to participate in the event. For more information visit www.newsomscountryham.com.