It's touring day, both of some wineries and of the city of Verona - most of what I showed you yesterday we walked (again) to today, just this time I know what all the things I saw yesetrday are. Other than that it was (mostly) new wineries and all new wines ... and some of the best pasta I have ever had. Let's take a look:
Corte Figaretto ...
small family run winery
Starting the day at Corte Figaretto |
The winery from the road: as we will find out they make only 5 wines from 9 acres of grapes |
Their vineyards |
Their tasting room |
Their drying room |
Figaretto is a gravity flow winery, here is where the wine goes down into the basement. |
And here is where it ends up - (see hole in ceiling). |
Before ending up here. |
And then finally here. Besides the big Valpolicella three: Valpolicella, Ripasso and Amarone, they also make Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from dried grapes. |
TOP 3 wines at Corte Figaretto ...
2012 Valpolicella "Altarol" sour cherry, red berries and cranberry on the nose; leads to a palate of fresh fruit with a slight spice and good acidity - a really nice food wine. (*** 1/2+) |
We had a few minutes between stops so we ventured out to the top of the hillside to take a look at the Valpantena Valley below ... quite breathtaking:
Bolla ...
From one extreme to another ... from a place that has 9 acres to a place that contracts 100 growers, produces 13 million bottles and 3 region specific Amarones:
I have been here before but there are still some interesting things to see. |
Bolla through the years |
The earliest vintages on display |
Evolution of a label |
A bottle of the 1950 Recioto Amarone |
Lunch ...
We were taken to Enoteca della Valpolicella for a lunch and tasting of Bolla wines ... so far this is some of the best food we have had on the trip - especially the pasta, you'll hear me say it again once the photo is posted.
We were taken to Enoteca della Valpolicella for a lunch and tasting of Bolla wines ... so far this is some of the best food we have had on the trip - especially the pasta, you'll hear me say it again once the photo is posted.
Arrival at Enoteca della Valpolicella where we will taste another five wines |
The Enoteca is a place where wines and food from the region are paired and sold (how civilized) I'll show you the basement wine shop shortly ... and it is quite the shop. |
TOP 3 wines of the Bolla tasting ...
The Food ...
Ricotta and Apple Mustarda (macerated apples with mustard essence) |
Ravioli with Ricotta and Poppy Sprouts |
filling was creamy smooth and supple - pasta was melt in your mouth light and so delicious - this is the best pasta I have had so far. |
Taratella with Ragu di Cortile (duck / turkey / guinea fowl) ... |
Beef ... a little too rare for my liking |
aged Monte Veronese cheese - "old" for this cheese is 9-12 months |
Our host for the lunch from Bolla was this man: Giannantonio Marconi (a wealth of knowledge) |
And at the Enoteca this is the cook, who makes all her pasta by hand: and it truly is some of the best pasta I have ever had. |
Here is the wine shop downstairs at the Enoteca ... a wine shop - like the wine you had with dinner, buy a bottle (how civilized) |
Random Shots ...
Taken in the parking lot of the Enoteca ... Welcome to the Enoteca, you can checkout any time you like, but you can never leave. |
Gratuitous Dog Shot #5: Two Dogs in Love |
Dinner ...
Alas dinner was an affair to forget with only a handful of memorable wines and even less dishes ... I will save the restaurant the embarrassment of naming them, and post only the good wines and the one course that stood out ... dessert:
Ca' La Bionda 2011 Campo Casel Vegri Valpolicella Superiore spicy black cherry and plum with complementing anise and leather notes (****) |
Ca'Rugate 2011 Ripasso sweet fruit up front with mocha tones, red cherry, blackberry and nicely spiced good acid balance and some smooth silky tannins to finish it off. (**** 1/2) |
Dinner Highlight: Cinquecentofoglie (a kind of millefeuille) rather tasty ... the only thing I finished tonight. |
Finally ... fun was had around the table with this producers name - if you can figure it out - one thing I can say this was a pretty hard wine, nothing flacid about it. |
A pretty good day ended on a low note - but we all had fun around the table and maybe that's the main thing - but what I would not give for a simple pizza and a beer for dinner instead of these heavy meals that weigh you down before bed ... maybe next year.
1 comment:
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