TWITs 10 Year Anniversary Party - March 10th, 2018 - hosted by Abbie & Matt

TWITs 10 Year Anniversary Party - March 10th, 2018 - hosted by Abbie & Matt

TWITs is turning 10 years old!  Can you believe we've been doing tastings as a group for an entire DECADE?!?  It boggles the mind.  So to celebrate the New Year and an entire DECADE of TWITs, we are hosting an Anniversary Party.

Theme:  TWITs 10 year Anniversary - Bring a bottle of your favorite wine from 2017 to share

Bring:  TWITs should bring a bottle of your favorite wine that you tasted in 2017


How has TWITs changed your life?
"We are more knowledgeable about wine."
-Rachel & Chris

"I moved to Atlanta a few years back I did not know anyone, having been introduced to Abbie via Rheinallt, she invited me to TWITs and this has given me social events every month to look forward to, a lot of good laughs, fine food, and amazing wine. But most of all, I have made new friends!! I am now encouraging my parents to start a wine club modeled on TWITs back home, because after their last move they have not yet managed to make new friends."
-Crystal

"We have really enjoyed finding a community of folks who enjoy and take wine seriously, but don't seem to take themselves to seriously. Everyone we've met in TWITs has been warm and generous, interesting and insightful, and we've truly enjoyed the camaraderie we've experienced so far, along with learning more about and tasting some great wines!"
-Chase & David

"TWITS has expanded my vocabulary for describing wine, and I've tasted varietals I wouldn't have even have considered before."
-Karin

"TWITS helped me see wine in a more vino-culturally sensitive and socially savvy way."
-Joshua

"We’re so new, TWITs hasn’t had much change on our existence ... and I don’t know if we have fully realized how much TWITs will change our lives in the 10 years to come, but we look forward to finding out!!"
-Crissy & Steve

"TWITs changed my life by opening me up to wine regions around the world I would not have considered before.  It was a TWITS gathering that encouraged us to plan a trip to Burgundy which was one of the best trips we've had.  Our passion for wine has grown so much, we are now having a wine cellar put in our house to hold all our wine - must keep our Burgundian wine at the correct temps!"
-Christy & Chad

"We have learned so much in the years we have been members of Twits! We have learned about different varietals of wine we would have never have normally tried and about different regions and how the terroir impacts the wine. We have also made some wonderful friends and had a lot of fun. Here’s to 10 more years! Cheers!"
- Kathy, Jamie, and Jackson

"I think the most important thing about TWITs for me is the lovely people I've met.  I have a feeling that's going to be a lot of people's answer.  But regardless, the monthly gatherings seem to attract high quality people & the wines themselves make for the perfect conversation starter.  It helps me get out of my introverted shell. Thanks for all you guys do." 
- Val

**FOOD**
1 lb of Foie Gras Torchon (from the Feeding Hannibal cookbook, this time I marinated the Foie in Fonseca Porto Bin No 27)
Toasted Baguette Slices 
Sage Plum Berry Sauce
Caviar w Cremé Fraiche
Prosciutto wrapped melon
Stuffed mushrooms (soy chorizo & Italian cheese)
Mini quiche
Fromages (Dubliner, goat cheese, Brie)
Olives
Charcuterie
Strawberries
Crudités
Chocolate bites

**WINES**
Welcome Wine: NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico ~ $15 @ most wine shops
sometimes can get a good price on a case via Woot.com
75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay
12% Alcohol

1) NV Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs, California ~ $50 @ the winery itself
85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
12.7% alcohol
Sparkling, bubbly, fruity, bubblegum aroma, strawberry, smoked bamboo (just kidding),
Guesses:
Abbie guessed Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc but definitely not La Marca Prosecco
RH says it's too sweet to be that one

2) 2017 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ  ~ $13 @ CostCo or $20 elsewhere
100% Sauvignon Blanc
13% alcohol
still white wine, green apple, pith, sweet note, muscat, white flowers, quince, apple, honeysuckle, would be good in the hot tub, or on the porch
Guesses:
Karin - Albarino
Kathy - Sauvignon Blanc in USA
Chad, Janssen, Lauren, Val, Rachel - Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand

3) 2014 Yonah Mountain Chardonnay ~ $40 from winery
100% Chardonnay
13.3% Alcohol
floral, not quite as strong as a Jura, a lil funk, oaked, soft palate,
Guesses:
Abbie - French? no wait Semillon from Australia
Kathy - Chardonnay from California
Val - Chardonnay from Napa
Crissy - not 100% chardonnay, a blend?
Joshua - North GA wine
Karin - Semillon

4) 2016 Chateau d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rose, Provence - $23 @ Whole Foods
Rose Blend - varietal info not found online - assume GSM ?
13% alcohol
faint nose, light, refreshing, berries on finish, lot of citrus, pine tree, floral, minerally, mild, doesn't standout, pairs well with chocolate, light pepper on finish, the Vanishing Rose, it kissed the grape skins, made out, but no tongue, the palest pink.
Guesses:
Kathy - French

5) 2015 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape - $80 @ PH Wine Merchant
Southern Rhone Blend
14.5% alcohol
cassis, grape nose, back in North GA?, Welch's grape jelly, menthol, licorice
Guesses:
Abbie - Gigondas
Lauren - French Bordeaux/young
Crissy - a sweet red
Kathy - Gamay from France
Matt - North GA
Joshua - Carmenere
RH - Oregon Pinot Noir

6) 2012 E. Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape - $40 @ CostCo
Southern Rhone Blend
14.5% alcohol
smells like foie gras, licorice
Guesses:
Abbie - Italian Barbera
Joshua - Bonarda
Rachel - West Coast CA
Crissy - Willamette, Oregon

7) 2014 Stinson Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Virginia - $23 @ Ansley Wine Merchant
100% Cabernet Franc
13.5% alcohol
Jammy, new oak, IDFK (I Don't F---ing Know)  LOL
Guesses:
Kathy - Pinot Noir
Abbie - Sonoma Pinot Noir
Chad - Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

8) 2000 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Vigna Cappella di Santo Stefano, Barolo DOCG, Italy - $60 from RH's personal cellar
100% Nebbiolo
14.5% alcohol
robusto, black licorice, currants, sherry, raisins, brandy, worcestershire sauce, tar on the nose
Guesses:
Abbie - Nebbiolo from Italy
Joshua - Tempranillo (but then changed his mind to Syrah from USA)
David - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

9) 2013 Michel Schlumberger Deux Terres Cabernet Sauvignon - $35 on WTSO or $75 from Winery
100% Cabernet Sauvignon (50% each from each Terres, thus the name)
14.9% alchol
caramel, sweet nose, mmmmmm, honey and caramel, rainbows in the forest, dark and inky, we smell unicorns!,
Guesses:
Crystal - older wine, Australian Shiraz
David - 8 yrs old
Kathy - Chianti
Joshua - Tannat
Karin - Lebanon - no a French Cahors?
RH - Syrah from Sonoma
? - 2011 Brunello di Montalcino ?

10) 2012 St. Clair Winery D.H. Lescombes Petit Verdot New Mexico - $45-50 @ winery
100% Petit Verdot
15% alcohol
tar, asphalt, bell pepper, Cab Franc ? leather, desert, scrub brush, funky, earthy, smells like taint (we had to explain what taint meant, it was hilarious), New World Palate, Spices, pepper, fruit,
Guesses:
Karin - France
Abbie - Cabernet Franc

11) 2015 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma - $21-22 @ most stores
100% Pinot Noir
13.5% alcohol
funky in a different way, bald eagles and freedom, rescuers down under, pine, mineral, earth, chewy, cassis note but not overpowering, soft nose
Guesses:
Chad - Pinot Noir Sonoma
RH - Pinot Noir Burgundy
Joshua - Pinot Noir Argentina
Abbie - Pinot Noir Willamette

12) 2016 Rue de Perle Grand Vin Bordeaux - $15 @ Kroger
Bordeaux blend
13% alcohol
grandma's perfume, flabby, don't like, plums, cinnamon
Guesses:
Karin - Italian

WINNERS:
We had 4 prizes for those who did well with guessing the wines.  Our winners were:
RH, Chad, Kathy, & Joshua

Italian wine tasting of Fattoria Cordero di Montezemolo of Piedmont, hosted by Alberto Cordero

Sherlock's & Sanders -
3401 Northside Parkway NW
Atlanta, GA30327
March 8th, 2018 Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Italian wine tasting of Fattoria Cordero di Montezemolo of Piedmont, hosted by Alberto Cordero - winemaker and owner:

- Cordero di Montezemolo - Langhe Arneis 2016 - $19.99
- Cordero di Montezemolo - Barbera d'Alba 2015 - $21.99
- Cordero di Montezemolo - Langhe Nebbiolo 2015 (baby Barolo) - $24.99
- Cordero di Montezemolo - Barolo "Monfaletto" 2013 - $49.99
- Cordero di Montezemolo - Barolo "Bricco Gattera" 2012 - $89.99
- Cordero di Montezemolo - Barolo "Enrico VI" 2012 - $99.99

Abbie with Alberto Cordero (winemaker & owner)

I need one of these!  :)

TWITs Naughty or Nice Nebbiolo Tasting and "Blanc" Elephant GiftExchange - hosted by Ms. Abbie & Mr. Matt

TWITs Naughty or Nice Nebbiolo Tasting and "Blanc" Elephant Gift Exchange - hosted by Ms. Abbie & Mr. Matt

When:  Friday December 9th, 2016 @ 7 pm

Theme:  Naughty or Nice Nebbiolo & our Annual "Blanc" Elephant gift exchange

Bring:  TWITs should bring:
1) A bottle of Nebbiolo within the price range (Up to $20/bottle for Single Attendee, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples, couples only expected to bring 1 bottle per couple)
     AND
2)   A wrapped gift (under $15) for the "Blanc" Elephant Gift Exchange

Tasting Notes: 
Welcome Wine:  2013 Langhe Rosso Nebbiolo DOC ~ $14.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol

1) 2012 Fontana Fredde "Ebbio" Langhe Nebbiolo - $20 @ Minx
13.5% alcohol
rusty red color, floral nose, spicy flowers, slow drippy legs, not a whore but not a church lady, mushroom, smooth tart @ the end, ash, tar, licorice, lavendar, ash on the after palate, hits the back of the palate.

2) 2009 Panebianco Musso "Pora" Barbaresco - $34.99 @ Toco Hills
14% alcohol
smells like Westworld, leathery, could open up more, very dry, bone dry, rubbing alcohol, gritty, light palate, grippy, perfume, dark chocolate. needed air, it mellowed some after being open for 2 hrs.

3) 2010 Vendemmia Travaglini Gattinara ~ $33 @ City Wine and Spirits
13.5% alcohol
perfumey, herby, violets, thinner, lighter, vanilla, marshmallow, sweeter on the nose, caramel, roasted marshmallow, licorice, buttery palate, Jess's fave so far, quaffable.

4) 2011 Rocche di Castigliano Falletto Monchiero Barolo - $39 on sale
14.5% alcohol
smooth and well balanced, love the nose, butterscotch, tannins, bark, so lovely, dry, dried oak, cassis after palate.

5) 2015 Cren del Gufo Langhe Nebbiolo - $11.99 @ Total Wine
12.5% alcohol
the palate is flaccid, grape jelly, communion wine, gas station wine, I wish they were doing a Nebbiolo at communion, whiff of almond extract, ash on back end, back end of nose, garlicky, if I were stranded on an island Id trink it, gasoline, this is the worst Nebbiolo I've had, like a non-wino brought me wine.

6) 2012 Castello di Verduna Langhe Nebbiolo  $24 @ an Integrity Wine Tasting
14% alcohol
cranberry, red, maroon, short finish, flat, fruity nose, welch's grape, it stops short, training wheels on, it's not ready, the cheese rounds commercial, tart, sangria, gas station wine, tangerine

7) 2014 Nada Fiorenzo Langhe Nebbiolo $24 @ Total Wine
14% alcohol
sea salt, butterscotch, dry, but lingering spice, caramel, chocolate, fuller on the palate, sour grapes, high tannins, "socks on your molars"

8) 2012 Damilano Lecinque Vigne - $42.99 @ Jackie's Fine Wines in East Cobb
14% alcohol
Matt's fave, smooth and velvet, alcohol, spice, white pepper, powdery chocolate, we all like it!

9) 2011 Pelissero Langhe Nebbiolo - $38 @ Merchant Package
14% alcohol
butterscotch, buttery, malty palate, ooh I like it, cassiss a little bit, smoother, smoky, velvet, white pepper on finish, I knew it when I nosed it, this is my style.

10) 2011 Franco Serra Barbaresco - $25
14% alcohol
put it in your mouth, dirt cherries, earthy, dark cherry, tobacco, grass, plums, sweeter palate, middle earth fruit, dirty plum, light flush, dirty socks, dark skinned fruit, I like it!

TRIVIA: Albiesa raised text on some of the bottles. Why?  The Albeisa, expression of a wine area:
The Albeisa bottle dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, when the Alba-area producers, proud of their own wines and desirous of distinguishing them from other wines, adopted a bottle with a distinctive shape and named it the Albeisa, or Alba bottle. With the invasion of Napoleon, however, this bottle was gradually replaced by two shapes typical of French wines, the Bordeaux and Burgundy bottles. These were more economical and they had a more regular profile, since the glass was blown into moulds that were perfectly cylindrical. In 1973, 16 producers decided to resurrect the venerable Albeisa bottle, adapting it to more modern demands and adding the name Albeisa in relief on the bottle.  The Unione Produttori Vini Albesi, the Union of Alba Wine Producers, was established, and an agreement was struck with Vetrerie Italiane di Dego, today Saint-Gobain Vetri, the only glassworks authorised to produce the Albeisa.  The purpose is to showcase and to distinguish even more the superb wines of the Langhe and Roero hills. In fact, only the wines from the official denominations of this area may be bottled in the Albeisa. The Unione Produttori Vini Albesi is a non-profit organisation whose primary mission is to more fully develop and promote the wine production of the Alba area by means of events, such as the "Nebbiolo Prima" (preview tasting for the world wine press), and by the creation of promotional materials, such as the new Riedel-Albeisa tasting glass. Very few wine bottles across the globe immediately identify a wine area and its wines, and the Albeisa, with its unique shape, is in that select few. Over 200 wineries producing 12 million bottles of wine per year make the Albeisa bottle without any doubt a resounding success and an eloquent expression of an unsurpassed terroir, that of the Langhe and Roero.

TWITs - Red Wines of the Piedmont - September 26th, 2015 - hosted by Abbie & Matt

TWITs September 26th, 2015  - hosted by Abbie & Matt
2p-4p ET

Theme:  Red Wines of the Piedmont

Bring:  TWITs should bring a bottle of red wine from the Piedmont region of Italy within the specified price range (Up to $20/bottle for Singles, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples).  We will do our usual blind tasting method.

Photo Credit:  Portovinoitaliano.com

Fun Facts:

Piedmont, in Italian, means at the foot of the mountain.

http://winefolly.com/review/piedmont-wine-guide/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piemonte_(wine)

http://www.winespectator.com/vintagecharts/search/id/37 - shows the Piedmont Vintages and when to drink or hold, etc.

http://www.made-in-italy.com/italian-wine/regions/piedmont-piemonte

***  Several of the bottles had the word "Albeisa" on them.  We looked it up. "The purpose is to showcase and to distinguish even more the superb wines of the Langhe and Roero hills. In fact, only the wines from the official denominations of this area may be bottled in the Albeisa. The Unione Produttori Vini Albesi is a non-profit organisation whose primary mission is to more fully develop and promote the wine production of the Alba area by means of events, such as the "Nebbiolo Prima" (preview tasting for the world wine press), and by the creation of promotional materials, such as the new Riedel-Albeisa tasting glass."

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  We opted to serve a white wine (albeit it was made from a red grape varietal) for our welcome wine.  This was to make sure we didn't accidentally serve one of the same wines that someone may have brought for the tasting.
2012 Costello di Verduno, Belis Perennis, Vino Bianco $21.99 @ Le Caveau
100% Peleverga Piccolo, 13% alcohol

1) 2012 Costello di Verduno Langhe Nebbiolo ~ $21 @ Brookhaven Wines
100% Nebbiolo, 14% alcohol
red brick color, this is lovely, oh yeah, cranberry, fruity, earthy, spicy, fruit, rich, berries and currant, guessing a 2011 or 2012 and 14% alcohol (Marilyn was on the money), peppery finish

2) 2011 Renato Ratti Colombe Dolcetto d'Alba $22 @ Brookhaven Wines
100% Dolcetto, 12.5% alcohol,
grandma's old chest, musty, oaky, old wet wood, fell from a tree, purply color, leather, smooth, not grippy, quite quaffable, a little fuzz on the tongue, effervescent essence, front palate, fuzzy on tongue, light bodied, cotton candy ball, evaporates, dry, fleshy, reminds Val of Beaujolais, needs a hearty meat, would be good with food, not as good on its own.

3) 2011 Michelle Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti, Superiore, La Orme - $15 @ Minks
100% Barbera, 13.5% alcohol
oh I love the nose, fruity, berry, caramel, buttery, oh wow, shortbread cookie, sweeter, butterscotch, butternut squash, spice, chili, creamy chocolate pepper

4) 2009 San Lorenzo Barbera d'Alba, Bartolo Mascorello - $42.99 @ Le Caveau
100% Barbera, 14.5% alcohol
candy palate, funk on the nose, chocolate, soft palate, soft mushy, scented candle, koolaid, cranberry juice concentrate, mushy, cherry pie, light, slight tannins, grapey.

5) 2010 Pelissero, Lange, Nebbiolo - $30 @ Le Caveau
100% Nebbiolo, 13% alcohol
candied orange, chocolate, citrus, coffee at the end, grapefruit, dark roast, anise, caramel, chocolate, good body, well balanced, Marilyn guessing 13.5-14% alcohol, 2010 or 2011, rusty red color, earthy, mossy, citrus and spice on the end, pairs well with chocolate!

6) 2011 Franco Serra Lange Nebbiolo - $18.01 @ Marietta Wine Market
100% Nebbiolo, 13.5% alcohol
rusty red color, translucent, chocolate, bitter, cacoa, pixie stick, sweet tarts, berries, it's very light, cigar, tobacco

7) 2010 Brovia Barolo, Nebbiolo - $67 @ Le Caveau
100% Nebbiolo, 14% alcohol
ooh it blooms! currant, turpentine, hay, leathery, forest floor, wet wood, Lovely!
opened 3 hours ago, and decanted for 2 hours, could cellar for 20 more years, but we accelerated the aging process but letting it breathe.

Thursday June 19th, 2014 - La Dolce Vita! Bring your favorite ItalianWine - hosted by Ms. Kathy & Mr Jamie

Thursday June 19th, 2014 - La Dolce Vita!  Bring your favorite Italian Wine - hosted by Ms. Kathy & Mr Jamie

Theme: La Dolce Vita!  Ms. Kathy chose this theme because she loves Italy, and they have some of the oldest wine traditions in the world.  She says the wines that you drink when in Italy are very very good also!  Each TWIT (or couple of TWITs) brought their favorite Italian Wine. we blind tasted them to focus on our senses, and then unveiled the wine, while hearing why it was someone's favorite Italian Wine.

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  LaMarca Prosecco ~ $12 @ CostCo

1) 2012 Gavi Spinola, Castello Di Tassavolo - $19.99 @ Le Caveau
Piedmont region, 12% Alcohol,
100% Cortese di Gavi (no sulphites added)
floral, clean, clear goldish hints, honeysuckle, hint of citrus, beautiful legs, viscosity, delicate legs that caress the glass, dried oranges, orangey (not orgy), volcanic soil? orangey ash, perfect summer wine
Marilyn brought this wine, because she adores it, and has already bought a case of it.  She keeps it on hand.

2) 2007 Proprieta Gatteschi Chianti Classico Riserva, Ciona ~ $20 @ DeKalb Bottle Shop
13.5% alcohol,
100% Sangiovese
black rooster = DOCG, awesome nose, Chianti guessed, dry as a bone, raisin-ey, classic, oaked, dried fruit, red berries, milk chocolate, would pair well with Bolognese, quote of the night "Respect the cock"
Duncan brought this wine because he thinks it represents a great Chianti, and he likes Chianti a great deal.

3) 2007 Fanetti Vino Noble di Montepulciano Riserva ~ $30 @ Le Caveau
14.5% alcohol,
85% Prunolo Gentile (Sangiovese) 15% Canaiolo & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
french oak, smells like toasted sugar, tobacco, dry but not tannic, guessing Chianti? dill, brine on the finish, needs food, a bit thin on the end,
Matt & Abbie brought this wine, because we love it, and we have it with an Italian dish for dinner once a week.  The funny thing was, because we were tasting it without a meal, we didn't recognize it during the blind tasting portion of the evening. LOL.

4) 2011 Cantele Primitivo Salento IGT, Puglia, Italy - $12.99 @ Toco Giant
100% Primitivo
grass, french, green nose, sweetness & acid, volatile acids, palate is flat, rustic, country, off-the-beaten-path, Super Tuscan? dry, dusty, arid, "grandma's vagina", lovely, better after it breathes
Rheinallt brought this one, as he wanted us to try something from the "heel of the boot"

5) 2009 Produttori del Barbaresco, DOCG - $25-30 @ Vinings Wine Shop
14.5% alcohol
100% Nebbiolo
tar, asphalt, stinky ole cigar, "dirty old Napoleon from Corsica", volatile acids, burnt rubber, more condom rubber like, smells plastic, tannic, smells like a short man with anger issues, burnt wick.
We learned that Barolo is the King, and Barbaresco is the Queen.
Ardella brought this as it had a 93 point rating in Wine Spectator

6) 2009 Recchia Le Muraie Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto Italy - $18-20 @ Le Caveau
14% alcohol
100% Valpolicella blend (see link for details)
tar, asphalt, tannins, "dark mafia guy from Sardinia", "a bandit", "the New Orleans of Italy", dark and swarthy, Robusto!, earthy, fruity, super tuscan?
Jamie says Kathy loves this wine and it puts her in the mood.  She denies this politely blushing.

7) 2006 Giovanni Petrelli Centopietre Salice Salentino, Puglia Italy - $9.98 (on sale) @ Toco Giant
13.5% alcohol
100% Negroamaro (means black/black)
bad breath, funk, oaked feces, grandma after cigar, like coffee & shit, holy shit, "Monday Morning", the Pope shit, dark caves, caverns, soft, super tuscan ?, stank, overwhelming, closest to Africa has character, but it "stink pretty",
pair with curry
Rheinallt brought this one also.

8) 2011 Brancaia Tre - $19.99 @ Sherlocks
13.5% alcohol
80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The basis for this wine, are the grapes from our three estates: Brancaia (Castellina), Poppi (Radda) and Brancaia in Maremma (Grosseto).
nice, subtle, funky nose, barnyard, bell pepper, good with pizza, acidic, easy drinker, super tuscan? smooth, chocolate and berry, solid Italian wine.
Jamie loves this wine thus he contributed this one.

Bella wants to take wine notes too (see the pen?)  - ha ha!

Le Caveau - Meet the Winemaker: Paulo Demarie - 02/04/12

Abbie with Paulo Demarie
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Le Caveau - Meet the Winemaker: Paulo Demarie - 02/04/12
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This was truly an experience, as we got to meet the winemaker, the distribution folks, and Paulo autographed the wine bottles I purchased. What a rare treat!
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1) 2009 Demarie Roero Arneis DOCG - $19.99
Varietal: Arneis, white grape from the Piedmont region
12.5% alcohol
Arneis is one of the great white wines of Piedmont with a full, intense aroma. Elegant floral and fruity flavors bring to mind hints of peach, apricot, chamomile, and small spring blossoms. Fresh and lingering on the tongue, with a wonderful slightly almond-flavored finish. Charming, enchanting, and fresh-like with a light summer meal.
Maturation: The wine is held in stainless steel tanks until bottling.
Food Pairing: Mushroom ragu, roasted chicken with rosemary, pasta with butter-sage-Asiago cheese.
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2) 2007 Demarie Barbera D'Alba DOC Superiore - $22.99
Varietal: Barbera (red)
13.5% alcohol
Barbera is a time honored expression of Piedmont. This classic Barbera is easy to drink due to its good acid structure and low astringency. Revelations of brilliant ruby hues deepend to garnet with age. Intense scents of prune and mulberry accompany the full-bodied flavor.
Maturation: 6 months in 2500 L Slavonian Oak Casks.
Food Pairing: Filet Mignon, lasagna, veal scaloppini, and Piave Cheese.
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3) 2007 Demarie Nebbiolo D'Alba DOC - $26.99
Varietal: Nebbiolo
13.5% alcohol
With a spectrum of brilliant ruby red to enticing burgundy with maturity, the Nebbiolo bouquet opens slowly to release delightful impressions of wild violet and ripened Morello cherries. The palate expression is intense and fragrant with mellow tones of cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry jam, with a lingering of spicy licorice and a sophisticated finish. Taste the tannins!
Maturation: 8 months in 2500 L Slavonian oak casks
Food Pairing: Pork Loin, Porcini mushroom risotto, spaghetti Carbonara, and Grana Padano Cheese
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4) 2006 Demarie Barbaresco DOC - $54.99
Varietal: Nebbiolo
14.5% alcohol
"The Queen of Wines" palate expression is intense with notes of red fruits and rose petal. It reveals a majestic garnet red color, with a mystifying orange reflection in the glass and strong tannins. This wine is truly elegant on the finish.
Maturation: 2 years in 5000 L Slavonian oak barrels, then bottle aged for 3-4 months.
Food Pairing: Grilled steak, rack of lamb, wild boar ragu, and Taleggio cheese
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5) NV Demarie Brachetto Birbet - $18.99
Varietal: Brachetto
6.5% alcohol
Birbet is a classic celebratory wine, perfect for a toast or to complement desserts. It has a blooming cherry red color with soft ruby nuances and endless bubbles. Fragrant and aromatic, it sweetens the palate with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry. The taste is reminiscent of the Renaissance Era and crafted with expertise mirroring the elegant culture of the Piedmont.
Maturation: the wine is held in stainless steel tanks until bottling
Food Pairing: Dark Chocolate Truffles, plum tart, and fresh berries

Le Caveau - Taste of Italy DINNER and Wine Tasting - 11/16/2011

Le Caveau - "Taste of Italy" DINNER and Wine Tasting - 11/16/2011 - 6:30pm - $75/person

This Italian themed dinner featured a selection of Italian artisanal wines, each paired with traditional dishes, hand-crafted by a local expert in Italian cuisine, Chef Adam Waller of Sotto Sotto. The dinner was held at Le Caveau 6:30pm.

"Taste of Italy" Menu & Wine Pairings:

NV Ferrari Brut Rosé Trento (375ml - $14.99)
Veal Tartare with iGreco White Truffle oil spritz

2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino ($23.99)
Carmelized fennel soup with Little Neck Clams and crispy Guanciale

1999 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste ($164.99)
Risotto Milanese with Bone Marrow Espuma

1999 Il Macchione Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva ($59.99)
Braised Rabbit Pappardelle with Swiss Chard

2003 Scubla Friuli Verduzzo Friulano Cràtis ($26.99)
Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust

Some photos:

Veal Tartare with iGreco White Truffle oil spritz
(Quail Egg in center, other ingredients included Red Onion, Capers, Red Watercress leaves, Parsley, and fried Pumpernickel crumbles)

Braised Rabbit Pappardelle with Swiss Chard
(Chef Adam Waller actually made the Pappardelle pasta himself)

Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust

2003 Scubla Friuli Verduzzo Friulano Cràtis ($26.99)
Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust

Matthew, my husband, looking so "amused" that I'm Photographing his "gluttony" ;)

Tidbits on the experience:
Chef Adam Waller is simply amazing. He's a quiet, humble, and almost shy man. While he was obviously pleased that everyone enjoyed his food, he truly seems to love his craft and has a quiet pride in his work. I was in awe of him and his fantastic abilities. Currently, he has moved from Sotto Sotto to EScorpion. I love how down-to-earth and approachable Adam is. If you met him in passing on the street, you'd never know he is a famous chef. His creativity is not limited to the kitchen I imagine, and I'm curious to know the stories behind his various tattoos. Someone compared him to the likes of Daniel Boulud last night, and having dined at one of Boulud's restaurants in New York, I would wholeheartedly agree.

Tasting Notes:
1) NV Ferrari Brut Rosé Trento (375ml - $14.99)
Pinot Nero and Chardonnay varietals used to make this Rose.
Photo of the bottle. Paired with: Veal Tartare with iGreco White Truffle oil spritz
This Rose paired perfectly with the Veal. The CantineFerrari website is almost as amazing as the wine itself, and is chock full of wise quotes. "Those who are thirsty for beauty are never satiated by passions." "The historian describes events, the artist brings them to life"

"The legend of Ferrari began with a man, Giulio Ferrari, and with his dream of creating a wine in Italy inspired by the very finest French Champagne. A skilled and painstaking enologist who

had studied at the prestigious School of Viticulture in Montpellier, Giulio created Ferrari in 1902..." go to their site to read more.

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2) 2009 Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino ($23.99)
Fiano di Avellino is the varietal.
Carmelized fennel soup with Little Neck Clams and crispy Guanciale
Words cannot describe this magnificent soup. I think this is the very best soup I have ever tasted. I wonder if I can somehow get Adam to let me see the recipe? The wine paired very nicely as well. and comes from the Campania region. The grapes are harvested in bunches and later spend 3 months in stainless steel. This is a full-bodied white wine, with fresh floral aromas and a palate of fresh minerality.
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3) 1999 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste ($164.99)
Nebbiolo is the varietal
Risotto Milanese with Bone Marrow Espuma
The risotto was just delicious! The Bone Marrow Espuma really gave it a creamy and flavorful taste. It came garnished with a sprig of thyme, which I kept nibbling in between bites. The thyme gave the whole dish a bit of a kick of new flavor. POW!
We were given an special page of notes about Guiseppe Rinaldi, the winemaker, who insists on natural, unmanipulated wines. "Tradition is a constant theme in his thoughts, and he mourns the special connection with the land that he believes has been eradicated by technology". My favorite part about him was the excerpt..."the only concession to anything resembling contemporary is an old fashioned rotary telephone, which seems to genuinely annoy him each time it rang..." - the Barolo is aged in Slovenia barrels, and wine spectator recently gave it 97 points, the highest rated of 1999. Matthew says "it's so light, it tastes like angels dancing on your tongue." Wine spectator says it has a "beautiful perfume of flowers, mushroom, and forest underbrush" with "fine tension and mineral elements, followed by notes of chai spices and sandalwood on the long finish."
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4) 1999 Il Macchione Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva ($59.99)
Prugnolo Gentile is the varietal (a clone of Sangiovese)
Braised Rabbit Pappardelle with Swiss Chard
As stated above, Chef Adam made the Pappardelle pasta himself. It was absolutely delicious. The wine paired perfectly, and I would say this was my FAVORITE wine of the evening. It had an amazing nose, "dry, full, long finish with floral notes of violets and minerality." Il Macchione's site quote is "as long as it takes" - a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with (when it comes to wine). The winemaker's story is fascinating. Swiss dentist, "Azienda Agricola" decided he preferred wine-making to dentistry, and abruptly switched careers. He spent time in California, and apprenticed quite a bit before founding Il Macchione, on a hill in the heart of "Le Caggiole."
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5) 2001 Brigaldara Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico ($69.99)
Corvina Blend (typically comprised of varietals: Corvina 40-70%, Rondinella 20-40%, and Molinara 5-25%)
No food pairing for this one. I believe this wine was more of a "palate cleanser" or "digestif" in between courses. I really enjoyed this wine and would say it was my 2nd favorite of the evening. Brigaldara is located just outside the town of San Floriano, in the heart of Valpolicella (which literally means "valley of many cellars"), just north of Verona. It is situated at the entrance of the Valley of Marano, one of four valleys that constitute the area of "Classical" Valpolicella. The name "Brigaldara" first appears in a deed in 1260 (just to illustrate the history of the name). Wine Spectator says this wine is "a clean-cut Amarone, with a balanced mix of raisin and spicy oak. Medium-to-full-bodied, with fine tannins, and a clean, spicy finish."
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6) 2003 Scubla Friuli Verduzzo Friulano Cràtis ($26.99)
Verduzzo Fruilano is the varietal
Maple Panna Cotta with bacon dust
Good lord, this was a decadent dessert. I'm already a huge fan of Panna Cotta, but this was a heavier, thicker, and creamier version. I compared it to EggNog, as in an EggNog Panna Cotta. that is what I tasted anyway. I think there was vanilla bean in it, which might have been the cause of the beautiful black flecks in this masterpiece. With or without the bacon on the side, the dish was superb. Chef Adam tiptoed out of the kitchen to tell us this was his dessert inspiration of pancakes, eggs,and bacon. The wine paired well again, but was almost too sweet for me. It has a rich golden orange color, and an wonderful nose. One sip was enough for me. It made me think of the "Lumiere" fruit (or Faery Fruit) as it could/should have tasted on True Blood. However, I could not drink very much of the wine. It was just a bit thick, sweet, and juicy for me. According to the Scubla website: "Intense amber colour; acacia honey, walnut husk and vanilla bouquet. Sweet and concentrated, with hints of dry fruit, figs, citrus fruits and caramel combined with the typical tannin content of the grapes." We were also told the wine was very labor intensive and is harvested late, almost into ice wine harvesting time.
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Other thoughts:
We met a lot of people during the dinner, including a gentlemen named Chance and his wife (newlyweds, and she works at a Wine Bistro in Decatur/Stone Mountain area?). Also, a guy named Red was there (who owns/works a Cigar store in Marietta - Tobacco World). We met a nice older couple who had some amazing stories to tell us. The gentlemen was Scottish, a MacDonald of Arnold, who played bagpipes here in town for many years. He told us about "Open That Bottle Night" which is the last Saturday night in February. It was a tradition started by some journalists from the New York Times. He sent in a tidbit about a bottle he and a friend opened that night, and they did an article on him. The wife told us about an experience in Paris (Montmartre area) called "Lapin Agile" featuring a Steve Martin play about Picasso and Einstein. Lapin Agile means Nimble Rabbit.
Another lady there was talking of a place in Scottsdale, AZ called Cowboy Ciao - which I am now convinced I must try! I believe she also said she had a "black thumb" as I do (I cannot keep any plant from dying to save my life). Very cool people!
Before we said "Ciao", the Scottish Man and his Wife did their toast. It went something like (and please forgive me as I was STUFFED with food and a little toasty from wine at this point): "Not above me, not below me, but Beside me."
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Just the caliber of people who attended this dinner made me VERY glad to be a part of Le Caveau's world. I really enjoy the people, the wine, and the unique experiences there.
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When is the next dinner?!? I can't wait!