Monte Schiavo at Il Buco

Le Marche region of Italy was well represented by Monte Schiavo at a rustic tasting dinner at Il Buco Restaurant on Tuesday. The dinner was held in their amazing old wine cellar where a small group of wine lovers gathered at a long table to eat, drink and talk about wine ad infinitum. It was a very interesting group of winemakers, brand managers, wine journalists, importers, consultants, and PR people.

First a little info on Le Marche, located on the Adriatic coast of Italy, the "calf" of the boot, Marche, has been known for its Verdicchio white wine that comes in the familiar green amphora bottle. The region was primarily known for its white wines and the Verdicchio di Matelica has emerged as one with even more character.

The reds are emerging from the shadow of the whites, including the Rosso Piceno, a blend of mostly Sangiovese with small amounts of Montepulciano, and Rosso Conero, a blend of mostly Montepulciano with a bit of Sangiovese.

The Vernaccia di Serrapetrona recently received a DOCG status, and Lacrima di Morro d'Alba is making a big splash.

Now for the wines and foods that went with them....



Antipasta Part l
olives & salami

paired with

Monte Schiavo Spumante Brut Vigna Tassanere, made with Verdicchio, a white Italian wine grape variety grown primarily in the Marche region of central Italy. The Spumante Brut has light and clear golden colors, fine bubbles, fruity aromas with hints of yeast, while the palate shows minerality and mild citrus notes.

Antipasta Part ll
Finocchio fennel, lemon, mimosa, hard cooked egg, bottarga di muggine
Baccala house salted cod baked with potato, spinach and tomato jam
Pizzetta with ramps, taleggio, piment d’espelette

paired with

Monte Schiavo Pallio di San Floriano Verdicchio 2009, also made with 100% Verdicchio and aged for 5 months, is clear golden green in hues, bouquet of fresh bread, green apples and lemon rinds, medium acidity with flavors of melon offering a fresh and fruity finish. I especially enjoyed this paired with the Baccala.

Primi
Tagliatelle con Funghi
Freshly cut pasta, yellow foot chanterelle mushrooms, parmigiano

paired beautifully with

Monte Schiavo Panse’ Lacrima di Morro D’Alba 2009, 100% Lacrima grapes, aged in stainless steel, clear dark red ruby colors, pleasant perfume of roses, violets, some earthy barnyard hints, forest floor, cassis, intriguingly long finish.


Secondi
Maiale
Bev Egglestons pork blade stake, mixed beans in oil, sauteed greens

paired near perfectly with

Villa Bizzarri Colle Creta Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2005, 6 months in new French oak barrels and 1 year in bottle, cherries, vanilla, raspberries, fresh resinous, glycerine, red fruits.

Dolce
Cheese Course
Assortment of artisan cheeses
Biscotti & cafe