NYC Tastes

Each year the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino releases the most recent vintage of their incredible wine with a seminar and tasting at Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan.  The gorgeous space is always buzzing with folks eager to see how the current vintage compares to those in the past. I think there have been quite a few fantastic years as of late but I must say the 2012 Brunello is an absolute beauty. Although it was known as a relatively hot growing season the 2012 is surprisingly fruity with bright red berries, smooth tannins and a rich but elegant body with lively acidity. This has already been declared a 5 star vintage and I have to say most of the wines I encountered were consistently excellent.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day: Brunello Di Montalcino 2012 Le Chiuse Brunello Di Montalcino 2012 Caparzo La Casa  Brunello Di Montalcino 2012 Col D'Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino 2012 Pian Delle Querci I ea...

Winter is an amazing time for Italian wine in NYC.  January always kicks off with incredible Benvenuto Brunello event at Gotham Hall.  This year marked the 50th anniversary of the famous Brunello di Montalcino DOC and the 2011 vintage was unveiled from over 40 different wineries along with the 2010 Riserva, Rosso and Moscadello. Of course coming after arguably the greatest vintage of Brunello ever the 2011 falls a little short. It doesn't have that rich powerful complexity of 2010; rather a softer, fruitier wine that actually makes it accessible for just about any palate. On the heels of Benvenuto came Italian Wine week with Vinitaly International and Tre Biccieri events. I was really surprised by the intensity of the Mirabella Saten made from 100% Chardonnay and the Demetra which had a strange yeasty aroma that I've never had in a Prosecco before... ...and the gorgeous Severus (no affiliation with Harry Potter) from Podere Marcampo made from 100% Sangiovese aged ...