Above: the Rocche del Gatto Pigato blew me away with its freshness and rich minerality. It was such a stunning pairing for the takeout Vietnamese that Ceri treated us all to on Wednesday night. This wine was a lovely discovery for me.
It’s hard to describe the emotion that I experience when I visit Ceri Smith’s amazing Biondivino wine boutique in Russian Hill, San Francisco.
The walls of the shop are lined with a literally oneiric selection of my favorite Italian wines and a smattering of wines that I’ve never seen before and am thirsting to taste.
Cappellano, Castell’in Villa, Giacomo Fenocchio, Cavallotto, Crociani… Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?
Above: the nose on the Orgo Rkatsiteli was like a stroll through an apricot orchard. Ceri has been to Georgian wine country and has been instrumental in turning San Francisco on to these stunning wines.
But the most incredible thing about the shop is its wonderful salon character.
After our Bele Casel Prosecco tasting on Wednesday night, Ceri and Zach Zito, who helps her manage the busy store, kept the shop open and continued to receive wine shoppers as we drank Pigato and munched on delicious Vietnamese takeout.
Some would stop and have a glass of wine. Others would grab a bottle and hurry on to their holiday party.
It’s simply a magical place for Italian wine and Italian wine lovers.
Of course, our dinner and confabulation had been preceded by an entirely brilliant pairing of Bele Casel’s Prosecco Col Fondo with the Brescian caviar that was served as I poured the wines for guests.
Thank you again, so very much, Ceri and Zach, for hosting me and Bele Casel’s wines. I LOVE your shop…
In other news…
I managed to make it home yesterday from the west coast in time to light candles with the girls.
I lit the three candles as I said the prayer and Georgia P asked me why we don’t blow out the candles like we did on her birthday.
The candles represent something that happened a long time ago, I told her. It was a really special moment for me as I watched her watch the candles burn.
Tonight before we sit down for dinner, we’ll light four candles (the photo above is from last year when we were still Austin).
Tomorrow, Tracie P is going to make us all her awesome latkes.
Happy Hanukkah, everyone! Hag urim sameach!
Do Bianchi 
Love the Rocche del Gatto wines. Fausto de Andreis’ sister’s Ristorante Bar Sport (http://www.barsportcisano.com/ ) is a “must-stop” when in Liguria. One of my top ten unknown dining destinations and with a bottle of Pigato from Fausto, the end of the world.