The Final Four .....Ciao Vino, February 26

We are halfway through the season, so the question is after about 5 months of Winerdìs at Ciao Vino,   how much do you remember?  Can you correctly identify a wine that is 100%, in purezza ? Can you pick out the fragrances of a nebbiolo when compared to an aglainico?  Are you able to recognize the slight differences in color when they are placed next to a nero d'avola?  And what about when you compare the tastes of those three to sangiovese? Italy's top grapes will be on hand in Winerdì's version of The Final Four. 

The winner will be  you!!!

The cost of the evening is 25Euro and includes an informal wine tasting as well as a buffet afterwards. The games begin at 8 pm...ish.

For more information or to sign up contact andiamotrips@gmail.com,  fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it or call 348 590 7349 or 081 509 0425.



Ciao Vino, Via Madonna del Pantano, 50 Varcaturo

East Meets West...Bolgheri and Le Marche Get Together February 12 at Ciao Vino

Winerdì wants to continue to examine different regions and the wines they produce.  This time we dive into the center Italy.To the left-Bolgheri, located south of Livorno, hugging Tuscany’s Mediterranean coast.  Home of cinghiale  (boar)and Super Tuscans. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese are just some of the grapes that run free in the ‘Maremma’, hills of Bolgheri.  The right-Le Marche.  Nestled between the Apennines and the Adriatic. Here Trebbiano,  Verdicchio, Lacrima, and Montepulciano reign.  Fabrizio Erbaggio will choose the best of both regions as we informally analyze their colors, flavors,  and aromas. 

The cost of the evening is 25 Euro which includes a guided wine tasting of 4 wines as well as Ciao Vino’s buffet. 

Don’t miss it!! The fun starts at 8pm…ish. 


Ciao Vino, Via Madanno del Pantano, 50
To sign up, call 348 590 7349 or 081 509 0425.
Email andiamotrips@gmail.com or fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it

2 Grapes, 4 Wines, 1 Good Time

Nebbiola and Nero D’Avola.   I could not have imagined the vast range of discussions that could have arisen during this wine tasting.  There are so many things to say about our Winerdì last Friday that I don’t know where to start. So, let’s begin at the beginning.  Our host, Fabrizio Erbaggio began the evening as usual with a brief history of Nebbiolo.  Grown primarily in Piedmont, it can also be found in the Valtellina valley in Lombardy.  It is a difficult grape to cultivate, so as Fabrizio put it, much attention is needed in the vineyards as well as in the cantina.  At this point we try our two Nebbiolo wines; Nino Negri’s La Tense (Sassella Valtellina Superiore DOCG) and Vietti’s Perbacco 2006 with a degustazione led by Luca Massimo Bolondi.  We could have spent the evening discussing only these two.  One might think that the same grape would produce wines that are similar.  Similar in some ways, yes, but we noted the that the difference in region, terraced vineyards and sandy silty based soil of Nino Negri’s wine produced a wine that was lighter in color.  Vinification played a big part in taste and aroma.  Vietti’s Nebbiolo, Luca pointed out was very elegant.  This wine had a deeper color and treated us to cherry and dried flower aromas.  This wine also spent quite a bit of time in legno-ten months in barriques then another 16 months in oak casks.  Practically the same process used for Barolo.

Vietti at harvest time.

Next...Nero D’Avola from Sicily.  Two wines; Firriato’s Chiaramonte Rosso 2007 and Morgante’s Don Antonio 2005. Two choices that represented the grape and Sicily very well.  Nero D’Avola, in fact, loves the hot Sicilian sun and is not found in many other places around the world.  So what did we see in these two wines? Chiaramonte, a wine on Gambero Rosso’s list of best value for the money, has a dark ruby color, aromas of red fruits and spices as well as a good balance of tannins and acidity.  This wine spends 6 months in barriques as compared to Don Antonio’s 12 months in oak barrels.  Ah, Don Antonio, already a favorite of a few people in the audience and after trying myself, I could understand why.  Sweeter aromas, darker color, smoother tannins, and a stronger acidity gave the wine the vote for the favorite of the evening.

Nero D'Avola ripening in the sun.  Ready for Morgante and Don Antonio. 

Once again, Winerdì achieved what it had set out to do.  Give wine lovers of all levels a greater understanding of a particular wine in a comfortable, casual multicultural environment.  At the end of the evening, Fabrizio and Luca were already throwing ideas around for future themes.  Stay tuned!!!

  

Head to Head...Nebbiolo and Nero D'Avola.....The Wine List

The wine list is set for Winerdì’s Head to Head

NEBBIOLO

Vietti Piemonte ( Perbacco )

Nino Negri Lombardia ( Sfursat )

NERO D'AVOLA

Nero d'Avola Firriato ( Chiaramonte )

Nero d'Avola Morgante ( Don Antonio)

Our Winerdì buffet will include Pizza from Antica Panetteria dei Buoni Sapori ( Melito )

Lasagne di Nonna Wanda

Sfizi (finger foods) from Scairdac (Bacoli)

Don’t miss it!! The fun starts at 8pm…ish.

Ciao Vino, Via Madanno del Pantano, 50

To sign up, call 348 590 7349 or 081 509 0425.

Email andiamotrips@gmail.com or fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it

Head to Head..Ciao Vino, January 29

And in this corner....

Nebbiolo...grown in Valtellina, at the foot of the Alps, near Lake Como as well as in the Piedmont region of Italy. Sensitive, thin skinned, and for some, more difficult to deal with than our friend Pinot Nero. A grape that produces wines that can vary in body, tannin and acidity. .

How does this grape compare when put beside Nero D’Avola? A grape that loves the hot Sicilian sun and rich soil, and is sometimes referred to as ‘Calabrese’?

Ciao Vino’s Winerdì series is going to tackle this with a Head to Head…Nebbiolo and Nero D’Avola. We’ll try four wines (two wines from each grape). We'll discuss how the climate, territory and vinification techniques differ. We’ll observe the aromas, colors, taste and then let you be the judge.

The cost of the evening is 25Euro and includes an informal wine tasting as well as a buffet afterwards. The fun starts at 8pm. For more information or to sign up, contact andiamotrips@gmail.com, fabrizioerbaggio@libero.it, or call 348 590 7349 or 081 509 0425.

Ciao Vino, Via Madonna del Pantano, 50 Varcaturo

Pinot Nero....What Else?

Where do I begin? Winerdì, January 15th shone the spotlight on Pinot Nero. Vincenzo Di Meo and Fabrizio Erbaggio led discussions (in 2 languages) on this finicky grape. A grape that is often difficult to cultivate. It has very thin skin, so at times, it can be succeptable to infections, rot and mildew. It is at home in regions with a dry, cool climate. And the fun doesn’t stop here. It needs to be carefully monitored during the vinification process, as well. It ferments violently and may boil which speeds up the fermentation process. But enough about its problems. Vincenzo calls this an elegant wine and with the wines chosen for our evening, we were able to see why.

First stop, Sicily with Cusamo’s Pinot Nero 2007. Here we have a wine whose vineyards are in the south. The first time with Pinot Nero for Cusamo. A nice effort. The vineyards are 800 meters above sea level. A different soil than the northern Italy where Pinot Nero is usually grown. It needed a while to breathe. It was interesting to notice how the aromas as well as the flavor slightly changed over the course of the evening.

Going up the boot, we arrive in Umbria with Castello della Sala’s Pinot Nero della Sala 2005. These grapes are harvested at 400 m above sea level and according to the web site, fermentation completed at 26°C in French oak barriques (Alliers, Troncais), as well as malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged in the barriques for 8 months, after which it is bottled. It is then aged in the bottles for 15 months in the historical cellars of Castello della Sala, before release. As Vincenzo always points out, the territory always has an impact on the final product. This was quite evident during the tasting. I will not say that it was better than the Sicilian offering, only different.

Two wines from Alto Adige, Frank Haas Pinot Nero 2005 and Hofstatter Mazon Riserva 2004. Here we have elegance displayed in each wine with the intense aromas of red berries, cherries, and wild berries. Fabrizio commented on how Pinot Nero is the perfect wine because it is easy to pair with a wide variety of dishes.

We enjoyed the wines with our buffet afterwards; pizza from Stefano Pagliuca, polenta with a rich ragu sauce, lasagna, and insalata rinforza.

WINERDì – A Real Culture Exchange

Winerdì is a wine series started back in September of 2009 at Ciao Vino in Varcaturo. Fabrizio Erbaggio and I decided to open up his Enoteca doors to a bilingual audience. Each Friday, we focus on a theme; Campania Reds, Campania Whites, Merlot, Sparkling Wines and Chianti are just a few of the serate that we have hosted to an appreciative crowd. The wine tastings include 4 wines, a guided informal discussion headed by my young enologist-friend Vincenzo Di Meo, and plenty of great food provided by Stefano Pagliuca, Sciardac in Bacoli,Cinzia Dalmonte and Wanda Ranieri. Special guests have included winery owners such as Manuela Piancastelli and Peppe Mancini of Terre del Principe. The Winerdi team even hosted the Hollywood Handshake Team when they were in town last month. The next Winerdì event is scheduled for January 15^th-an evening devoted to Pinot Noir. There is still space available. For more info, contact andiamotrips@gmail.com or call me at 348 590 7349.

Pinot Noir Night

The next Winerdì at Ciao Vino is scheduled for the 15th of January at 8 pm. Mark your calendars because the theme for the evening will be Pinot Noir. This grape is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine. Come and taste some of Italy’s finest in the comfort of Enoteca Ciao Vino located in Varcaturo, Via Madonna del Pantano 50.

The cost of this evening is € 25 which includes a wine tasting of 4 wines as well as an amazing buffet.. For more info, call 348 590 7349 or email andiamotrips@gmail.com.

Hollywood meets Ciao Vino

Ok. Here is the scenario. You are a group of actors from Hollywood visiting Naples for a couple of days to thank the ‘troops’ for all they do. During your visit, you have a strong desire to try the best Italian wines the country has to offer. What do you do? Where do you go? One answer-CiaoVino.

Monday evening, Fabrizio Erbaggio, Vincenzo De Meo, Cinzia Dalmonte, and I had the pleasure to present Italy throughWine to a group of very special people from the ‘States’. Wanda Colon from TLCs ‘Home Made Simple;’ Bill Brochtrup from NYPD Blue; Daphne Reid from Fresh Prince of Belair; James Reynolds from Days of our Lives; and Lissa Layng from movies ‘Say Yes’ and ‘Night of the Comet’ were ready to embark a journey through this beautiful country with us.

Fabrizio enjoys talking about wine. I am always excited to see what he chooses to degustare during our wine tastings. He selected well, even Vincenzo was impressed.

First Round –White Wines. We began in Fruili with one of their most popular indigenous grapes; Ribolla. The wine was Ribolla gialla from producer Girolamo Dorigo. A fresh, young wine that none in the group had tasted before. Next up, a winery close to our hearts, Feudi di San Gregorio from Campania. Fabrizio picked their Pietracalda made with the most popular white grape from the region, Fiano di Avellino. Very impressive. The group noticed instantly the difference in aromas and how this wine had a fuller body than the one previously tasted. Once again, a new wine for our small gathering of friends. Finshing off our first round was a big white from Siciliy-Insolia (Sauvignon). Vincenzo explained that though the Sauvignon grape is an international one, its characteristics have changed somewhat due to the growing in the volcanic Sicilian soil. So, Nozze d’Oro from producer Tasca d’Almerita was a good choice as well.

Second Round-The Reds. What a selection! Fabrizio felt we should start in Piemonte with a Barolo from FontanaFredda (2000). Mmmmmm! The aromas, the body, everything you would want in a grande rosso made from the Nebbiolo grape. Next wine-Tenuta Silvio Nardi with their Brunello di Montalcino (Sangiovese grape, Tuscany region). A little smoother, a year younger. Finishing off the reds was THE red of the south-Taurasi Radici Riserva from Mastroberardino 1999 (Aglianico grape, Campania region). I was speechless. One of the smoothest Taurasis I’ve tasted. The cherry aroma is still imprinted in my mind. What a way to end the wine tasting!

The tasting was over, the evening wasn’t. We learned that James and his wife Lissa were celebrating their 24^th wedding anniversary that evening. Fabrizio pulled out a couple of bottles of a French champagne from Bruno Palliard, Rosè Première Cuvée S.A. We drank a toast to the happy couple.

Cinzia, at this point, opened the buffet. E che buffet!!! Pizza, insalata di rinforza (made with cauliflower, olives, peppers, and acnchovies), gateau (a potato dish made with pancetta and cheese), a beautiful braid of mozzarella, and a crowd favorite-lasagna all contandina ( a lasagna made with potatoes and pumpkin).

All good things must come to an end. After a great meal and great conversation, we said our goodbyes. At the end of every Winerdì, Fabrizio always wants to know which wine was the favorite-the decision was split. Daphne Reid was hooked on the Brunello while Bill loved the Ribolla gialla. James, he was already a Barolo fan so the choice was not so hard for him. Wanda, Lissa, and I loved Bruno Paillard’s Rosè. An amazing bunch of people who we had the pleasure of sharing a small part of Italy (and a little bit of France) for a couple of hours one cold rainy, Napoli evening.

Fabrizio, Vincenzo, Cinzia, and I began this Winerdì series a few months ago. What a great way to end the calendar year. I can’t even imagine what is in store in 2010!

Auguri!!!!

Le Bollicine!!! Winerdì, December 18th

Ciao Vino officially kicked off the holiday season with an evening dedicated to sparkling wines. Vincenzo Di Meo and Fabrizio Erbaggio guided a packed house through a wine tasting from prosecco to French Champagne. First-a mini lesson on metodo charmat and metedo classico.; the two ways to produce the wines that we would be having that evening. Next- a wine tasting with the following wines:

· Prosecco di Conegliano-Nino Franco, Veneto

· Dubl Greco- Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania

· Franciacorta Metodo classico Cuvèe Storica 61-Berlucchi, Lombardia

· Champagne Premiere Cuvèe-Bruno Paillard, Francia

It was interesting to note the differences as we tried each wine; from the quantity of bubbles, the diverse aromas, the different flavors, the various blends…I could go on. Our hostess, Cinzia Dalmonte, then laid out a buffet that Ciao Vino is famous for complete with pizza from Stefano Pagliuca as well as trippa alla napolitana. Fabrizio paired our buffet with Nero di Lambrusco from Cantine Ceci.

The favorite of the evening? It was hard to decide-everyone had their own opinion. I’m a big fan of Feudi but I also enjoyed the Nero di Lambrusco. Regardless of our choices, we left Ciao Vino ready to face the holidays with a clearer idea of the world of sparkling wines.

Chianti Forever, December 4

4 Wines, the usual formula, but this time, with a twist. Last Friday’s Winerdì at Ciao Vino focused on Chianti; the region, the grapes, the aromas, the tastes. Fabrizio Erbaggio and Vincenzo Di Meo explained the history of Chianti making, a timeline of the grapes used dating back to the 1700s. The primary grape is always Sangiovese. We were told that the key characteristic of this grape was the floral aroma. SO our assignment then, was to figure out which grapes were used in the wines tasted. First wine: a Chianti DOCG 2007 from Cantine Leonardo. We drank this side by side with another Chianti DOCG 2007 from Castello Gabbiano. After a guided examination of the wine, we learned that Cantine Leonardo’s offering the ‘international’ choice due to its 85% Sangiovese and 15% merlot make up. Next, two, Chianti Classico DOCG from Castelli del Grevepesa (2007) and Isole & Olena (2006). Which had the higher percentage of Sangiovese? Armed with what we learned about aromas and an earlier discussion on acidity we were able to guess that Castelli del Grevepesa (2007) was 100%. I’m not a sommelier, just an interpreter, so I am always glad when I can take something away from an event like this. I tried four great wines, I learned interesting facts on aroma and acidity, and I can’t wait for the next Winerdì.

WINERDì, DECEMBER 18

‘LE BOLLICINE’

SPARKLING WINES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

18 DECEMBER, 2009

2000 hrs

Which ‘bollicine’ are best for the holidays? Join us as we find out in the comfort of Enoteca Ciao Vino located in Varcaturo, Via Madonna del Pantano, 50.

The cost of this evening is € 25 which includes a sparkling wine tasting of 4 wines as well as an amazing holiday buffet.. For more info, call 348 590 7349 or email andiamotrips@gmail.com.