I had a great year. There is no denying that. Mostly due to a spectacular summer in Los Angeles followed by an even more spectacular solo journey through Italy. Also known as “the trip of my dreams.” In keeping with the obligatory New Year’s blog post of something along the lines of Best Wines of the Year, My Top Ten Bottles of 2009, etc. I thought I would take a look back at some of my favorite drinking experiences as seen through the lens of my Blackberry’s handy little camera. It is, dare I say, a Brunello Behind the Scenes. Perhaps, True Hollywood Story: Brunellos Having Too Much Fun. Maybe even True Life: I’m ubriaca. I shall end there, lest I get carried away.
But, to further clarify, I say favorite experiences and not favorite drink or wine or bottle because sometimes the best glass of wine has not so much to do with what is in the glass but everything outside of it. It is the company, the laughs, the stories told, the favorite neighborhood bar, old friends reuniting, new friends being made, impromptu guitar solos and heavenly pasta dinners. The level of enjoyment of the wine and of the moment fuse together, simultaneously enhancing the other. So, without further ado…
The magical mojito from the Bazaar in Los Angeles. Followed by one of the more interesting dining experiences I've ever had. Proof of artistic expression and innovation on a plate and in a glass.
The staple of my summer at my favorite bar seat in town, Pizzeria Mozza. This was a Bastianich refosco rose from Friuli.
Plastic cups and lambrusco. I know how to make it classy. In the first days of my trip in Italy with one of my best friends. We were starving and had our aperitivo hour furnished by a campsite grocery. It was cheap, delicious and entirely satisfying.
A not at all unusual lunchtime spread while working the harvest at De Conciliis. That day was the pinot noir battle in which we raided Bruno's cellar for 3 different pinots: one from Italy (1998 La Palazzola), one from France (2005 Domaine d l'Arlot) and one from Oregon (2006 Drouhin). Italy won! And we were not at all biased, of course.
A Saturday night lamb bbq at my boss Bruno's home where we proceeded to open up 8 different fantastic Italian wines (and way too much grappa). At the end of it all, he stuck his knife in the neck of the winner (we liked having competitions, if you couldn't tell.) A 2005 Langhe Nebbiolo from Bartolo Mascarello.
My last night with the De Conciliis tribe. We pulled a bunch of tables together in the living room and basically had a pizza party. And to wash down that pizza....
....magnums of 2004 Naima. My heart swells a little just thinking about it.
My last meal with Alberto Medici was a lunch. I had already had one of the best dinners of my entire trip the night before. But to send me off, he opened up a bottle of his (only available in Italy) champagne method lambrusco. We ate gnocco fritto and culaccia and pumpkin risotto with crispy guanciale and aged balsamico drizzled on top. I can't even begin to describe how beautifully balsamic and lambrusco pair together. Like a little dance on my tongue.
After a tasting at Bruno Giacosa, my friend and I were given a bottle of the 2007 Barbera D'Alba. We spent the afternoon picking up ingredients for the dinner we would have that night with that wine. A trip to the butcher was in order. We sauteed that sweet Bra sausage with onions and garlic and tossed it with pasta and broccoli rabe. Heaven.
Not to worry- I am not get too big for my britches with all this fancy I-talian wine. I can pop open a can of Coors with the best of them. This just happened to be one of those perfect sunny, lazy Sunday afternoons with good friends and not a care in the world. A taco from La Estrella in Highland Park, a lime and an ice cold beer...sometimes, that's all you need.
But, this doesn’t even really begin to scratch the surface of all of the amazing wine I have been so fortunate to try this year. And, most importantly, the amazing people that I have shared it with. 1,000 thanks to you all from the bottom of this little wine soaked heart of mine.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Antece is SO good… Bruno told me he thought it was his best wine ever…
I recently came across your blog & Just wanted to say that I’m really enjoying it! I too am a huge Brunello fan. My first Brunello tasting was in Florence, It. last year & since I returned to Canada I have been buying every bottle I can get my hands on. Definately not good for the pocketbook! I look forward to trying some of the other wines you review.
Karen R.
thanks karen! viva Brunello!!!