Did another weekend visit to Vino Italian Tapas and Wine Bar this past Saturday. As usual, Chuck is ribbing me as the “Certified Sommelier”. He did seem a little more animated than usual, perhaps his upcoming nuptials in 3 months or perhaps another wine coupe for Vino’s cellars. In any case, the Mrs. started with her usual glass of Prosecco while I dove right into Vino’s red wine sampler; Corbieres Domaine Fontsante 2004, Vigne & Visi Schiaccinocci Negroamaro 2004 and the Domaine Atauta Tempranilo 2000. The Corbieres had a pronounced stone, mineral and earthy quality with red cherry on the back end with nice red fruit on the mid palate and a moderately short finish. The Vigne & Visi gave hints of black fruit and a mouth filling concentration on the palate with a moderately long finish – still a little tight though while the Atauta had loads of spice with red fruit and a moderately long finish.
Chuck then proceeded to display several wines not on the list; a 1996 Chianti Classico, a 1996 Barolo and a 2003 Chaos. The Mrs. opted for the Chaos since it had Grateful Dead looking fluorescent pink label – I concurred with her choice – not because of the label but because of its scarcity in the wine market. Chuck pretty much guaranteed me that I wouldn’t find this wine in Hawaii, maybe even outside of Hawaii. For starters, it’s an Italian IGT wine made from 50% Montepulciano, 25% Merlot and 25% Syrah. It had a rich red cherry nose like a California Nebbiolo and had the concentration of a great Aussie Syrah. The tannins were nicely integrated with the fruit and it had a very long finish. If you like big reds, you gotta try this one!
Chuck then proceeded to display several wines not on the list; a 1996 Chianti Classico, a 1996 Barolo and a 2003 Chaos. The Mrs. opted for the Chaos since it had Grateful Dead looking fluorescent pink label – I concurred with her choice – not because of the label but because of its scarcity in the wine market. Chuck pretty much guaranteed me that I wouldn’t find this wine in Hawaii, maybe even outside of Hawaii. For starters, it’s an Italian IGT wine made from 50% Montepulciano, 25% Merlot and 25% Syrah. It had a rich red cherry nose like a California Nebbiolo and had the concentration of a great Aussie Syrah. The tannins were nicely integrated with the fruit and it had a very long finish. If you like big reds, you gotta try this one!
For munchies, we indulged in Vino’s Spicy Sausage Pizza,
Calamari with Pepperoncini Balsamic Aioli
Seafood Ravioli and
Braised Veal Cheeks (perfect with the Chaos)
For dessert we combined the Pineapple Carpaccio and the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
This was served with a glass of Birbet or slightly sparkling Brachetto that paired perfectly with the pineapple. Sweet Dreams indeed!
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