Beautiful Brunello

It’s probably clear from previous blog posts that Italian wines are close to my heart. One of the driving factors of my going to Buffalo this past weekend is that City Wine Merchant, run by a friend of mine, was having an Italian wine tasting. The line-up included some amazing producers, including Gaja, Sandrone, and Ciacci Piccolomini.

The selections were well thought out and carefully distributed among the tables. There were roughly 25 wines in all. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted by a Damilano Arneis Langhe 2008 that was a good palate cleanser after numerous, tannic, red samples.

My particular favorite on offer happened to be among the 2004 Brunellos. While no one disputes the elegance and magnificence of the 2004 vintage, some believe the price is overblown. One need look no further than the Jan. 6 column by Eric Asimov, writer for the New York Times, who thought the region in need of a “price calibration,” as was recently seen in the 2003 vintage by several local wine shops.

It did not deter me from buying a few bottles, however. I’d been familiar with Talenti’s 2004, which retails for roughly $54. I’ve also sampled and enjoyed Poggio di Sotto’s 2004, which runs above $100 per bottle.  City Wine Merchant’s selection was by far more affordable than the latter, and the wines were offered at special pre-sale prices. Perhaps next year the vintage will be reduced, as the 2003 has been this year, but tasting such incredible wines, and knowing they will last for years, I couldn’t help myself.

Here are the Brunellos I particularly enjoyed from City Wine Merchant’s tasting, and that will soon find shelter in my Eurocave:

• Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2004
• Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino, Vigna Pianrosso 2004
• La Serena Brunello di Montalcino 2004

If you haven’t tried any of the above-mentioned Brunellos, or any Brunellos for that matter, I urge you to. You won’t be disappointed.

Read Full Post »

Among friends

Choosing a bottle of wine from a restaurant’s offerings can be daunting. It is helpful – to an extent – to know the style of wine that you enjoy but, because of varied vinification, there’s no guarantee that a varietal from one region will taste the same from producer to producer.  Over the past week, I’ve had the fortunate experience of stumbling across two wine menus that were not only familiar, but noteworthy.

Last night I went to Il Bagatto in the East Village and was quite impressed with the wine menu as I sat at the bar with my friend as we waited for a table at the restaurant next door. The list was expansive, including a solid representation of Italy. I saw on the list the Briccotondo that I had recently and loved. It was a 2007  barbera from Piemonte from a producer called Fontanafredda. From what little Internet research I have conducted, I conclude that the bottle generally retails anywhere between $10-15. However, I’ve been unsuccessful at locating a bottle in New York since I returned from London, where I first discovered the wine.

I didn’t choose this bottle last night, which was listed at $35. Prior to arriving at the restaurant I’d had a glass of Turlo from Umbria and decided to stick with the southern Italian theme for the night. I also find that southern Italian wines offer better value on most restaurant menus. I chose a Primitivo from Puglia off Il Bagatto’s menu. It was a full bodied, fruit forward wine that pleased both me and my dining companion. The bottle cost $39.

Narrowing my selection down to that bottle was difficult, however, as the list is stocked with a range of reputable and consistent producers, including La Spinetta, Quintarelli, Talenti, Cacchiano and Antinori to name a few.

The wine menu I encountered last Sunday at Maialino at the Gramercy Park Hotel offered a similar experience. This restaurant definitely attracts a different clientele, and prices were marked up even more. Again, I encountered acquaintances including Talenti, Quintarelli, Movia, Bovio, Poggio di Sotto and Fontodi. In fact, the menu closely coincides with the inventory at the wine shop in which I work part time.

On this particular evening, my dining companion and I selected the 2001 Rosso di Talenti, at $52. This was a bit harder to wrap my head around, knowing that Talenti’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino retails for around $55. (The 2000 vintage on the menu was listed for $80.)

Mark-ups on wine are inevitable when dining out; yet, I’m happy to pay up for a bottle that’s sure to please. The cost of taking a chance on an unknown is sometimes far greater than the sticking to the safety of familiarity. I prefer to limit experimentation for home tastings.

Read Full Post »