From the department of “some how, some way, I just get to keep tasting funky-assed wines like every single day”…
Man, the stars were out last night in Manhattan where the first lady of wine writing, Jancis Robinson, presented the new edition of her Oxford Companion to Wine and her Italian reviewer and this year’s winner Casato Prime Donne award for wine writing, Walter Speller, selected 20 Brunello di Montalcino wines for the occasion.
My stars aligned and somehow I ended up with a ticket to the super glam event, which was held in the Birreria at Eataly.
They sure pack ’em in at Eataly. I was lucky to snag a spot at the seafood bar where I had a delicious glass of Monte Rossa Franciacorta and the crudo trio before braving the winding line to attend the sold-out event.
I’m not one to kiss and tell but I ended up at dinner with a couple of my favorite wine writers at the lovely Via Emilia, where owner William, originally from Modena, has been serving an authentic Emilian cuisine since 1994.
He imports this Rota Lambrusco himself. Really swell and enjoyed by all at our table (a demanding crowd, I might add, when it comes to Italian wine!).
William’s cooking was spot-on and I was impressed by the menu and the classic presentations and how well the salumi were sliced.
But it was his lasagne that really reminded me of some favorite meals in Emilia. Truly outstanding.
That’s all I have time for today as I head out for an all-day working meeting and then a wine dinner tonight.
Do Bianchi 