This Christmas - Buon Natale, Tutti - Part 2

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When I sit down at a restaurant and am handed the wine list, 999 % of the time I let my maitre sommelier choose the wines for me.  It has been that way for quite a long time - and over the years I've have  grown to respect  and appreciate their choices. Not only because they know wine and wine pairing - but because the also know me.  So, it seemed only logical that I should ask some of my trusted amici maitre sommeliers what would be pair well with a Campanian holiday meal.  Here's what they shared.

Maitre Sommelier Ciro  Sannino
Maitre Sommelier Ciro Sannino (Caracol, Bacoli).  I've known Sannino for about 4/5 years, so there is a solid trust.  Ciro chose two wines for me - both from France. First a Blanc de Noir Champagne millesimato 2013 Remy Leroy.  He then suggested Sancerre Les Mont Damnes 2014 (Sauvignon Blanc) by Pascal Cotat.
Maitre Sommelier Sergio Martinelli
Maitre Sergio Martinelli (Palazzo Petrucci, Naples). Martinelli chose two wines for me for Christmas Eve, knowing my love for Campania and Irpinia.  First off a white wine by Quintodecimo - Giallo D'Arles Greco di Tufo 2018 and a Taurasi Macchia die Goti 2015 by Cantine Antonio Caggiano.

Maitre Sommelier Emanuele Izzo 

Maitre Sommelier Emanuele Izzo (Piazzetta Milu', Castellammare di Stabia) Not only is Izzo in charge of his family run restaurant's wine cellar, he is also the AIS delegate for the Sorrento Peninsula.  Not too shabby for this young sommelier who chose two wines to accompany my holiday festivities. To start off, a champagne; Premier Temps by Jean Vellut.  The he takes me back to Campania with a fiano favorite - Vigna della Congregazione 2015 by Villa Diamante.

Maitre Sommelier Enrico Moschella
Maitre Sommelier Enrico Moschella (George Restarant, Naples)  I first met Moschella in 2017.  I lost count of how many bottles he has opened for me in these past couple of years.  Moschella suggested, if I wanted Campania, I could go with a Falerno del Massico Vigna Carriaciolo from Villa Matilde.  Or maybe step out of the region and head up to Alto Aldige  with a Reisling and Sauvignon blend Enosi from Baron di Pauli.  Then, of course, a sparkling wine - Franciacorta Dosage Zero Uno Collina Della Stella by Andre Arici.  
Maitre Sommelier Natale Sicignano
Maitre Sommelier Natale Sicignano (Terrazza Bosquet, Sorrento) What can I say about Sicignano?  He was the first person I ever saw to open a bottle of champagne with the stem of a wine glass.  He always has a smile and a great glass of wine to share with me.  I asked him for a couple of choices for the holidays and he decided to celebrate my love for the territory that I have called home for the past 26 plus years.  First off - a Coda di Volpe by Michele Perillo - perfect for the classic Christmas Eve spaghetti and clams dish.  Then he suggested a Piedirosso dei Campi Flegrei by Raffaele Moccia for the classic wedding soup/minestra maritata on the 25th.  In Campania, we have adopted the northern tradition of preparing panettone Christmas cakes, so Sicignano suggested a spumante Moscato Dolce Regina di Felicita' by Cascina Baricchi to pair with panettoni flavored with pellecchelle apricots from Mt. Vesuvius. 

Grazie, ragazzi!  Cheers!  Merry Christmas!

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