Time and Italian Wine

Over the last year I've been thinking about and writing about drinking older wines; wines that I and others have been saving for that 'special occasion' or have frankly just forgotten about.

I knew I had a few older vintages Italian wines and had promised to share one with some friends from the old country next time I was at their house for dinner, happy hour, really any occasion. 

Feeling a little wine depressed after a weeklong trip to California I dug in my cellar and pulled out a twenty year old bottle of La Giola Riecine a sangiovese based Super Tuscan. This is one of several bottles I brought back from Italy when you could actually still carry liquids aboard an airplane. I put it in the overhead compartment, put it in my wine cuvee and let it sit...for nearly 20 years!

BTW, the currently release is highly rated and available in the U.S.

We carefully removed the cork and made the executive decision not to decant. In the glass, it immediately smelled like bandaids, had very little fruit and we feared it was past its prime. But patience paid off and after about 45 minutes the bandaid burned off, dark fruit and tannins emerged. For a brief moment, it hit a stride, however, it was short lived.

I have a couple more older Italian wines on the roster to open. Next time,  I may opt to decant.You never know how a wine is going to drink, that is one of so many things that makes it exciting.

Peter's Pinot.....

I love  experimenting with new white wines during the summer months....by new, I mean new to me. Peter Zemmer is certainly not new to the wine making game. His grandfather founded a winery in the small Italian village of Cortina in 1928.

An Italian pinot grigio might not seem like a big deal to you, as many are thought to be sleepy. Not this one. The grapes come from Alto Adige in northern Italy where the average elevation is 1600 feet.  The valley is surrounded by snow capped mountains, popular for skiing, but the grapes are happy despite the cold, as there is prolific sunlight to warm them year round.

The alpine style wines released from this area are more and more impressive.

Once in the glass, the wine was a straw color with a floral nose. Mineral, acidic and tropical, I tasted a variety of fruits as it sat in my glass and warmed up a bit; melons, pineapple and citrus to name a few. It was fresh and enjoyable.

I served the Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio with pasta, shrimp and fresh pesto and it was an satisfying combo. Next time, I would like to try it with any salty appetizer or fish dish, or simply drink it on its own. In the price range of $16, this one is a delicious and affordable simmer find.

Bubbles and the Bird

If it has bubbles, I want to drink it; prosecco, cava, Champagne and/or sparkling wine. And since bubbles are great with birds, consider serving them this Thanksgiving.

Just returning from a trip to France, I admit to being partial to Champagne, however, I DO enjoy a good prosecco....Italian sparkling wine made from a grape also known as glera.

Prosecco has become wildly popular not just in the US but around the world, because of its low cost and good quality. Just two of several reasons to consider this wine for this weeks Thanksgiving celebrations.

I took the difficult challenge of trying a couple of selections prior to the big day and want to pass on my observations for consideration.

I have to admit I was a little taken aback by the packaging of the of Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero, as the cork was one typically found in a still wine; no wire cage, no twisting until the pressure forced the cork out. I had to use a standard wine key to pop this cork.

A bit fruity, citrusy and slightly sweet, this wine would be a great aperitif or good with any spicy dish you may be serving.

For something with a bit more body and acidity, try the Astoria "Lounge" Prosecco. It has the most beautiful, fine bubbles, a bit of apple, pear and would go well with anything salty or creamy.

Even better, after dinner, make a palate cleansing Sgroppino with the prosecco; fill your flute with about 3 oz of prosecco,  1 oz of vodka and a third a cup of lemon sorbet for a light and refreshing finisher.

Find both wines for under $15. For that price buy a couple.

Wine Wednesday, Summer Soave

It's hot! This time of year I find myself craving cold, refreshing white wines. I'm a big fan of big Italian reds, but I also like the crisp whites they produce. This one is a great find; Re Midas Soave.

Made from the grape Garganega, this wine smells lemony. It tastes fresh and citrusy as well, with lots of minerals and a touch of toast.

I had it with grilled chicken and veggies; it was perfect. But I could easily consume this one all by itself.

In the $10 range, it's worth buying a case for summer sipping. CHEERS!

Wine Wednesday, Friulano

It's Wine Wednesday! WOW have I had some great wines this week, not to brag, but what the hell: Kistler Cuvee Elizabeth, 2002 Nickel & Nickel Carpenter Vineyard,  2005 Nickel & Nickel Dragonfly Vineyard, 2007 Zenato Amarone del Valpolicella, Veuve Clicquot, 2006 Swanson Rosato and a 2010 Casa Nuestra Rosado to name a few. Thanks to my friends; Jonathan, Ali, Frank and Angie. I could not just pick one for Wine Wednesday, especially since it would be hard to find all but one of them.

That being said I was recently turned on to a fabulous Italian white grape called Friulano. It's indigenous to the Friuli region in northeast Italy. The Livio Felluga Friulano surprised me with it's elegance and depth of flavors. It's in the $30 range, retail.

It has flavors of nuts and apricots with a spicy finish. There is a good balance of acidity and it went well with a basic meat and cheese tray that my friend was serving. A unique wine, good with food or on its own. As my friend "French Tony" said while sipping, "ooooooo, ees beautiful, no?" Me, "Yes! Yes! and YES!"

Bigger is Better at Buca

If you haven't been to a Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant, get on the website and find one near you. I attended the grand opening festivities at the newest location yesterday, in Fort Myers, FL.

It's not my first experience at Buca but my first in quite sometime. This space used to be home to a sports bar. It has been skillfully  renovated and divided into cozy dens that make you feel like you are eating in your Italian Grandmothers house, complete with kitschy photos and memorabilia.

The food portions make you feel like you are at Grandma's too; served family style. Owner/Partner John Thall calls the meatballs, "as big as your head." He sat down next to me at the bar and we shared a plate while discussing his wine list. The photo below is just one meatball, all by its lonesome. The actual dish comes with three, served over pasta.

Back to the wine list, it is full of Italian selections including a signature red and white, bottled specifically for Buca de Beppo. We selected a Zenato Valpolicella. The wine opened up into a nicely balanced, velvety treat. I enjoyed it with each dish that I tried and the pricing was very appealing for a restaurant list, $39 a bottle.

 


Besides the giant, moist and meaty balls, I sampled the pizza margherita, chicken limone, shrimp florentine, shrimp fra diavolo and the baked rigatoni. I love a good rigatoni and this was cooked perfectly; the cheese just a little crusty, the sausage full of fennel, the sauce fresh and acidic.

When the dessert tray came around I almost fell out of my chair. Tiramisu, dark chocolate cake and a cheesecake that had an amazing raspberry and hazelnut sauce. This is a place for a party, a business dinner, a big family gathering and a big appetite. However, they are serving single portions at lunch so you can dive in slower than I did. MANGA!

Holiday Sparklers

Love these great holiday cocktail ideas with using Mionetto Prosecco. Yes, this is the company that actually uses crown caps on one of it's bottles of bubbles. Enore Ceola, Managing Director for Mionetto USA explains the controversial move and gives some fun, festive ways to enhance your bubbly here:

https://soundcloud.com/gina-birch-live/enore-ceola

Spumante Surprise

At a wine tasting this week I saw the top of what appeared to be sparkling rose, and I couldn't wait to try it. That is until the wine rep pulled it out of the ice and I saw the word "Spumante". When I hear or see the word "Spumante", I automatically make a face inside of my head. My first thought is "this is going to be really sweet." I prefer my Prosecco or any bubbles for that matter, to be dry.

Looking at the other wines on the table, I knew there was quality at hand so I decided to let go of my pre-judgement and give it a go. I could always dump if it was a dud. I'm so glad I didn't have to. This Zardetto Spumante Rose from Veneto, Italy, was not only a beautiful raspberry color, but had a fresh raspberry flavor with a little spice. It's easy to drink and easy on the wallet; in the $15 range.

Unexpected Bedfellows

I have blogged about my love of pizza, and how I've eaten it in even the most remote places in the world, so when I was invited to a pizza/wine tasting at Grimaldi's Pizzeria last night, I could hardly stand it!

The first pairing, presented by General Manager Phil Lawson, was completely unexpected; white pizza and white wine, a Riesling at that. Sometimes the wine snob within tries to raise it's ugly head and I could feel it stirring. Best way to subdue the beast is to feed it. The piping hot pizza was loaded with salty artichokes and spicy sausage. The flavors knocked the peach and other sweet fruits right out of the Mondavi Riesling ($7 glass/$25 bottle) for a surprisingly nice partnership.


I initially went to last night's tasting in search of an Italian Malbec, exclusive to Grimaldi's. Yes, Argentina's flagship red is being grown and bottled in Northern Italy, and while it doesn't hold candle to it's South American brother, it did the job when served with the meatball pizza. In a blind tasting I don't think I would've nailed the KRIS ($8 glass/$30 bottle) as a Malbec. It was a bit thin with some blueberry notes; a little earthy with a hint of cassis in the finish. I tasted some cardamon when drinking it with the meatballs. I would like to try it again with a few more years in the bottle.

I'm a big fan of Italian wines so was really looking forward to the next pairing. The Santa Christina Sangiovese ($6 glass/$20 bottle) from well-known Italian producer Antinori, was a delicious glass of dark fruit; a bit floral with some all-spice. That combination with the sweet, roasted red peppers and ricotta cheese pizza was a hit. Lawson said his chef's roast between two to three cases of red peppers a day. They cut cheese about seven hours a day. (insert Beavis and Butt-Head joke here)

There's something about saving the best for last. My favorite combo of the night was the Educated Guess Cabernet ($10 glass/$40 bottle) from Napa, paired with a bold onion and pepperoni pizza, with a lightly charred crust. The wine had hints of cocoa, french vanilla, cherry and leather. Lawson calls it one of the best values on Grimaldi's menu. Order this combo!

A little inside info for my gluten free friends; Grimaldi's has been working on a dough recipe for you. It's a challenge, finding one that holds up to the heat of the coal oven while maintaining the integrity and reputation of the dough that Grimaldi's is famous for. But know that you are not forgotten and will hopefully soon be accomodated!

***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

The Cellar Called; I Answered

I was recently trading stories of Tuscany with a friend who had just returned from three months in the beautiful Italian countryside. It made me want to buy a plane ticket in the worst way. As I sat reminiscing about the amazing food and wine I've consumed in Italy, a faint voice beckoned. I went to my wine cellar and peered at the rows of Italian treats I've been collecting over the years. I gently pulled out a bottle of 1996 Podere Capaccia, Querciagrande (a Sangiovese from Chianti) and decided it's time had come.

The big question when opening a big bottle is what to serve it with. It may not have been the best pairing, but I wanted eggplant parm. As I was cooking I opened the bottle for an initial taste. It started out remarkably balanced and smooth with lots of dark fruit and some tobacco. About 2 hours into the bottle (yes, I milked it that long) the chewy tannins started to appear; time has been kind to this wine. I was so happy!

I brought this bottle back from Italy ten years ago; when you could still carry liquids on planes and the dollar was actually worth something. I tried in vain to find tasting notes and values for the 96 vintage. I mostly wanted to see if it was a vintage that aged well.  But at the end of the day those stats really don't matter. What mattered was that the wine was awesome and I got to share it, and it's story with good friends over good food. Cheers!


***COMMENTS: Thanks to all my Facebook friends for posting so many great comments. I would LOVE it if you could also post your comments here on this blog site. Many people tell me they posted and it never showed up. Disappointing for us both. So click comment, type your comment, check the box that says "comment as" then hit post. If a word verification box does not appear next (a scrambled word to retype) your comment did not post. Thanks!

Escargot Ecstasy

I've blogged about Sasse's previously. I obviously love the food and thought I had tried almost everything on the menu. So I'm not sure how I managed to overlook the Escargot in a creamy pesto sauce served with goat cheese toasts. I wanted to rub that sauce all over my body. It was everything I could do not to pick up that darn plate and lick it clean. It's an appetizer but it did me in for the night, in a good way!

I was at Sasse's for their monthly wine tasting (2nd Tuesday of every month). It's not your typical wine tasting. Instead of milling around a tasting table waiting for pours, we sat at tables set for dinner. The tasting is complimentary and there is a discount on dinner if you stay; everyone stayed! Brilliant way to fill up a restaurant on a Tuesday night.

The favorite at my table was Masciarelli's signature Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. It is one of those Italian wines that you can enjoy on it's own, most are better with food. It was full of blackberry and black cherry with some spice on the finish.

We tried the Valpolicella Ca Panvino from Villa Erbice next. I think it would've been great with Sasse's eggplant parm. I really liked the Cannonau Di Sardegna "Templum". It tasted green (bell peppers) and fresh, again with some spice on the finish. These wines and many on Sasse's list come from Masciarelli Wine Company. There's always something new and fun to try. But by all means, try the Escargot!

SOBE: Food, Wine & Thongs

The Food Network South Beach Food and Wine Festival in Miami is one of my favorite events to attend each year. Hosted by Southern Wine and Spirits of Florida, it has grown to be one of the premiere food and wine events in the country! There are actually dozens of events during the four day festival but the one that draws the biggest crowd is the Grand Tasting Village. Tents, stretching the length of a football field, line the beach. Underneath, a playground of food, cooking demos, famous chefs, wine, spirits and more.

You never know who you will run into. Over the years I've met almost all of the big guys, the food network stars. Kinda funny, this year I ran into Dennis Rodman of all people. Yes he is still alive and no he was not wearing a boa or make-up.

I drank some amazing wine, tried some delicious food and sampled lots of new products....too many to even begin to list here. Emerging from the tents on the beach with a nice buzz made the people watching on SOBE even better than usual. Of course there are topless women but I swear I saw a man with thong that looked  like a pasty! There's always someone with a snake or monkey or some exotic animal on their shoulder, drag queens, girls in bikinis and their boots with the fur, beautiful models on photo shoots, etc. A man on roller blades wearing nothing but knee pads and a thong made even the most jaded local bar tenders laugh out loud.

The tickets for the events of  the Food and Wine Festival have gotten quite pricey over the years and many sell out. The festival has raised some 12 million dollars for The Florida International University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. I'll see you on the beach next year!

Heaven: Pizza and Red Wine

When I die and go to Heaven I hope there will be a pizzeria on every corner with a great wine list. I think I found a little Heaven on Earth last night at Grimaldi’s at The Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. Yes, it is the world famous Grimaldi’s from Brooklyn! The pizzeria has been serving up award winning pies for more than 100-years and has finally opened its first restaurant in Florida. Thank God they picked Fort Myers!

The dough is hand tossed and cooked in a coal-fired brick oven to get that perfect crispy, smoky crust. You’ve probably heard New Yorkers say the secret to making the best pizza crust (and bagels) is in the water. Apparently Grimaldi’s thinks so too. They hired a chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content of the water in their Fort Myers restaurant to match the exact composition of that in New York

The menu is simple: Pizzas, Calzones and Salads. The wine list for a pizza joint is VERY impressive with names like Ferrari Carano, Gaja, Treana, Prunotto Barolo, Cakebread and Sonoma Cutrer among others. We enjoyed a carafe of the house Montepulciano for $15. It was better with food than on it’s own but that's typical for most Italian wines.

Wine decision made, food decision not so easy. Faced with so many mouthwatering options we couldn't decide on just one pie! We ordered 4 personal sized pizzas: a classic Pepperoni, a traditional Margarita, a White Pizza (with Calamata olives and basil) and a Pesto Pizza (with artichokes and sun dried tomatoes). Each was fantastic, fresh and flavorful; the crust lived up to it's reputation and then some! I can't wait to go back and try more combinations!

Now that Grimaldi’s is open I decree there will be no more complaints from transplanted New Yorkers who “can’t find a good pizza anywhere in this town!” 

Getting Sassy At Sasses

Italian wine can be tricky. There are over a thousand varietals so it's not uncommon to come across something you may never have heard of before, like the Aglianico. It's an ancient grape from southern Italy that doesn't get much attention.

I gave it lots of attention during a fabulous dinner at Sasse's in Fort Myers. Its color was rich, the nose complex and it tasted plumy, juicy with tannins that developed nicely throughout the evening. What a great pairing with the Veal Scallopini (topped with sun dried tomatoes and fresh sage).

When I first moved to Fort Myers we nicknamed Sasse's the "Pasta Nazi" after the famous Soup Nazi from the TV show Seinfeld. The original owner would close when he wanted, served who he wanted and didn't give a damn what you thought about any of it! The stories are too numerous and infamous to even begin to mention.

Times have changed and gracious owners Jerry and Barbara Snyderman sip wine while wandering from table to table as if hosting a dinner party in their private home. The food is full of flavor, the portions are more than generous, the wine list is adventurous and affordable making it one of the best culinary finds in town!

The restaurant isn't much to look at from the outside. It's in a strip mall off the beaten path on Evans Avenue. You will probably drive by it the first time. My favorite part of the interior is the barrel room. It used to house a wine-making operation and now serves as a private dinning area perfect for parties and special events. Leave your credit cards at home, cash is king at Sasse's and you'll feel like one when you leave!

Viva Italia Part II

I have delayed long enough in continuing my ravings from the Kobrand and Republic National Italian wine tasting I went to last month. I honestly didn't know where to start so lets go right for the top!


Sassicaia! It's considered to be one of Italy's leading Bordeaux-style red wines and it is delicious! I tried the newly released 2007 vintage of this Super Tuscan gem that received 95 points by the Wine Advocate. (All of the wines in this blog have ratings of  over 90 points!) It's still a little tight and takes awhile to open but it definitely lives up to it's reputation!

For a 1/3 of the price and just a couple of points shy of Sassicaia I found the 2004 Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino, Le Due Sorelle. I was told that this may be the first time this wine has been distributed to Florida. It was a beautiful deep ruby color with flavors of berries, a little chocolate and yes, leather. I wanted to be alone with it for a few minutes.

Some other outstanding Italian reds to look for right now are the 2004 Castello del Terriccio, Lupicaia. The wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Petit Verdot to round it out. It's limited, it's over $100, it's big and balanced, it has lots of layers and it's delectable. I think it could use another couple years in the cellar. A little more moderately priced is the 2008 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo. It's a Sangiovese blended with a little Merlot that is juicy with black fruit and soft tannins.

One final nugget to leave you with: 2007 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno. This bad boy made the Wine Spectator's Top 100 List! The blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is dark and dense. I smelled a bit of blueberry and tasted alot of dark fruit with some coffee on the finish. Nice layers that once again will make this wine age nicely!

The wines of Sette Ponti are all fabulous!

Viva Italia!

I was recently asked why I like Italian wines, after all they are so foreign! When I say foreign I mean more than just from another country. They are hard to get a grasp on with more than 1000 varietals from dozens of regions. I like Italian wines because they are food wines! No coincidence here but I also like Italian cuisine!

Last night I was invited to taste the Italian wines in Kobrand and Republic National's portfolio. I was in heaven drinking everything from a delicous white Gavi to the king of big reds, Sassicaia!

The '09 Michele Chiarlo Gavi was full of zest and minerals. Gavi is from the Piemonte region and is actually made from the Cortese grape (remember that "foreign" statement made earlier). Another fun white I found was an '08 Campo al Mare, Vermentino di Toscana. The Vermentino was blended with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc to give it a nice crispy finish! Both wines are moderately priced under $20.

There were just way too many outstanding reds to mention and my better judgement says save it for Viva Italia Blog Part II. For once I will listen!

Women's Wine Dinner: Angelina's

I enjoy getting dressed up and going out in the summer storms in Florida as long as there is valet parking! Last night's torrential downpour did not dampen the spirits of the ladies who attended this month's Women's Wine Dinner at the award winning Angelina's in Bonita Springs. We filled the bar with lively conversation, posed for photos, then filled the private dining room to capacity!

Angelina's is an Italian restaurant so the first course was appropriately enough an antipasto tray filled with cheeses, cured meats, fresh olives and marinated vegetables served with an '08 Icardi, Cortese. I was surprised to find a white wine so full of raisin! I admit that all week I was hoping maybe even praying that this next dish would be served and I was NOT disappointed: Angelina's signature Butternut Squash Ravioli. The ravioli is hand-rolled, filled with roasted butternut squash and mascarpone cheese then topped with a decadent citrus tomato butter. It was exquisitely paired with a 2007 Soave Classico, Monte Grande. "Sexy" was the best description I heard for the dish!


I was also hoping for a nice big Tuscan red and once again my desires were fulfilled with a 2007 Brancaia "Tre". A female winemaker produced this smooth gem and landed in Wine Spectators Top 100 List. The Filet Mignon it was served with had a brilliant red center and was so tender I barely picked up my knife to cut it.

The best pairing was definitely saved for last, a Vanilla-Mascarpone Cheesecake with homemade strawberry jam accompanied by a glass of Brachetto. The wine was a sparkling, pink dessert wine that went down way too easy! Thankfully the bubbles helped to dissipate the sweetness. The last course was pleasing to eye and the palet. It was one of those combinations that danced!

When in Rome....

We’ve all heard the saying “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do”! The Roman’s drink Frascati! Frascati is synonymous with Rome having been produced in the region for nearly 2000 years. It also boasts of being the most often mentioned wine in Italian literature.

I just tasted a delicious 2007 Piero Constantini, Frescati Superiore DOC from Lazio. The blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes produced a light, citrus, floral delight with hints of fig and walnut! You should be able to find it for around $20. It’s a wonderful treat during these hot summer months!

Umberto Cesari Wine Dinner

I did some teasing in my blogs about the Umberto Cesari wine dinner planned for Bistro 41 in Fort Myers and finally the day arrived! Last night Umberto's cousin Ricardo showed up with his thick Italian accent to showcase the family wines and enjoy a spectacular food pairing created by Executive Chef Reiner Drygala and Executive Sous Chef Heath Higginbotham (featured in the photo to the left). Look at these guys! You know it's gonna be a good night!
First course was thinly sliced prosciutto with pecorino Romano tuile, cantaloupe ice cream, Saba balsamic drizzle and chives. THe dish was paired with an '08 Moma White. The wine was a blend of Trebbiano, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and it was so clean and velvety! What a great balance of fruit and minerals, peach, pear and herbs! It was a perfect match to the sweet and salty dish! And who would've ever thought to substitute the fruit with ice cream on the first course. Bravo!!

Next up was a phenomenal plate of Wild Boar ravioli over wilted spinach, finished with pancetta, garlic, olive oil and crispy leeks. The wine was one I already bragged to you about the '06 Liano! It is Sangiovese with a 30% blend of Cabernet aged in Yugoslavian Oak. Cherry, balanced tannins, give me more! The ravioli had just the right amount of Wild Boar, nothing was overpowering. Every plate at my table appeared to be licked clean!

With the bar already set pretty high the third course knocked it over-the-top! Oak grilled Elk lolly pop with white bean Swiss chard eggplant ragout finished with a demi glace, beurre monte and gremolata. It was paired with a delectable 2004 Tauleto> The award winning vino is 90% Sangiovese, huge, tannic, inky and impressive!! The Elk was extremely tender, cooked perfectly!

The final surprise was a dessert made with honey thyme polenta, mandarin oranges, white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin mandarin orange olive oil, candied fennel leafs and a strawberry garnish. Talk about unique! We drank an Albano Passito dessert wine that was late harvest with the grapes dried in racks. I would love this wine with some cheese and dark chocolate also!

Congratulations to the chefs, the wine maker, Opici (the distributor) and everyone involved! Another amazing pairing. It totally put to rest my fears of eating big, gamey food in the hot summer! Bring it!!!

Preview Party!

I was very privileged tonight to go behind the scenes of the beginings, the creation of a high-end wine dinner. Italian winemaker Ricardo Cesari is coming to Southwest Florida in a couple of weeks and his wines will be featured at a special dinner at Bistro 41 June 14th. Setting a wine dinner apart from an everyday dining experience begins with detailed planning. The chefs and winemaker or distributor hold a summit! They sit down together, taste, compare notes and create a masterpiece for the senses.

I quietly slid into a seat at the "summit" with an empty glass in hand, head bowed out of respect and it worked! I got to try the wines while eves dropping on the right herbs to use to bring out certain notes in the wines, how much sweetness to add, what kind of reductions to use, etc.

I got much pleasure from tasting the lovely Liano. It's a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Sangiovese. There are only a few thousand cases made at the winery about 10 miles south of Bologna. Big cherry flavors with full tannins, woodsy and herby, I can't wait to taste it again with the dish I heard the chefs planning to pair it with. While the Liano made me smile, the wine that follows it at the dinner will knock your socks off!! I know I'm teasing again but I did a pinky swear to secrecy, at least for now. Let's just say this wine dinner could rival the infamous Shug dinner that I already blogged and bragged about. Seriously, make your reservations early. There is limited space the buzz has begun! Call 239-466-4141!