This is where my mind goes as the year comes to a close and the craziness of the wine business descends upon us. Happy Place. Who doesn’t love Giorgio Rivetti?
Tracie P over at My Life Italian recently referred to this particular sort of dilemma as an “l’embarazzo della scelta”, or what we might call in English, an “embarrassment of riches”.
Either way, I’ll take it.
Sometimes a wine catches you by surprise. The afternoon I was lucky enough to stick my nose into a glass of La Spinetta Barbaresco Valeirano, 2003, I almost fell off my chair.
This is an impressive wine- an opus to the huge possibilities of Nebbiolo at the hands of a master like Giorgio Rivetti.
2003 was a warmer vintage- but the wine is still feminine, still a monument to the elegance and grace of Barbaresco. Full of the haunting aromas of white truffles and steely, wet rocks. On the palate it is generous and slick- this is a wine to match beautifully marbled cuts of beef, grilled pork chops, or braised short ribs.
Of course, it’s also a wine I want to enjoy all on its own- sinfully lip-smacking and aromatically complex. Just me, a bottle of Barbaresco and a deserted beach somewhere at midnight.
One of my favorite distributors, Cavatappi, is launching their new portfolio in Portland tomorrow. Come see us between 1 and 4pm at the Portland City Grill, Monday April 23. I’ll be there representing Ca’ del Bosco, Paolo Scavino, Tolaini and Terlano. There will be a room full of winemakers and winery representatives for you to learn from and taste with.
Specifically, you’ll have a chance to meet Italian wine legend Giorgio Rivetti, who will be there in person to pour his wines from La Spinetta. This is an opportunity not to be missed!
