Wine dinner at John's City Diner

Tuesday night we did something we wanted to do for a while by attending one of the bi-monthly wine dinners at John's City Diner downtown. After a Bellini made with Rotari Sparking Chef Paul Clark gave an overview of the food to come. First course - 3 cheese ravioli with sauteed crabmeat and toasted sweet corn ragout. Second course - Pasta rustica with chicken, sausage, onion, herbs, lemon. Entree - Stuffed center cut pork chop with grilled polenta, wilted greens, and port wine jus. Dessert - 2 assorted sorbetos.

As for the wines:
Rotari Sparking
Libio Felluga, Tocai Friolano, Collio (white)
Masi Campofiorin Ripasso, Veneto (red)
Ceretto Barolo, Piemonte (red)

Jennifer Horner of MBC United Wines did a nice talk about what we drinking and had some geographic reference material on each table.

Rotari
Not an "asti" but a champagne-method sparking. Made from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.

Libio Felluga
This white reminded me of a French Loire Valley white, very little or no oak.

Masi
This specialty of Masi, resulting from the refermentation of wine from fresh Veronese red grapes with a percentage of semi-dried grapes of the same varietals, splendidly encompasses the qualities of the Verona area: the excellence of the zone, the highly individual style of the indigenous Veronese grape varieties, and the originality of the techniques of "appassimento" (semi-drying) and double fermentation by Masi. It combines simplicity and grace with power and majesty. It is rich, full-bodied, round and velvety, and has an aging potential of 10 to 15 years.

Ceretto
The star of the evening (we don't get to enjoy Barolo very often). Great with the pork.

Wishing Tree 2005 Unoaked Chardonnay

This inexpensive Australian is quite drinkable although a bit sharp around the edges for my taste. The fruit overtones are on the tart and acidic side, like grapefruit or tart apple.

Of the whites posted here in recent months I would prefer the CMS or the Cusumono Insolia. However, both of those cost more than this one which runs about $9. Shawn will dig the screw cap. All in all, a good everyday white.

Sacred Stone Master's Red Blend

Another recent find from Western. From the winery (Pietra Santa - 25 miles east of Monterey):

"Ripe, juicy, and expressive, this unique blend features cherry and plum flavors with hints of earth and spice. Sacred Stone is soft and supple with attractive forward fruit and crisp acidity that makes it an ideal match for a wide-range of food. Merlot and Sangiovese from our estate vineyards provide the backbone of the wine, but the Syrah, Carignane, and Grenache add interesting spice and mineral notes. An excellent value with loads of complexity and flavor.

Blend: 26% Merlot, 24% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah and small amounts of Carignane and Grenache"

The label says it will cellar for 2-8 years. However, there is no vintage year on the bottle; it only says "cask 008". Curious. $10

2 French Red Values

We found some good values at Western recently. First is Chateau la Casenove Côtes du Roussillon 'La Garrigue' 2003. Description: Flavors of pure-tasting blackberry and chocolate. Excellent texture, and levels of fruit, with a long elegant feel.

$9.99


Second is the 2002 Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Terrasses.

From the winery:

Grape varieties: Blend of 70 % Grenache and 30 % Syrah.

Aging: 35 % of this vintage is aged in oak barrels, 19 % of which are new and 16 % of which have been used two or three times previously.

Tasting: Dark red color, with a nose blossoming into jammy berry aromas set off by a touch of spice. The well-structured, powerful mouthfeel with elegant tannins is enhanced by slightly woody licorice notes. Long finish.

$8.99