The flavors and wines of Italy will again take center stage on flight night Wednesday, March 24, at SOHO.

 

 The Frescobaldi vineyards 

 

The first wine SOHO will pour this week is a 2008 San Quirico Vernaccia from Tuscany. Since 2005, all wines from the San Quirico vineyard have been made with organic grapes. The Vernaccia is an excellent food wine and will pair well with Chef Joe’s tapas, notes SOHO's wine expert Lars Snavely. SOHO will also pour a 2006 Sant’Antonio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso “Monti Garbi” this week. To produce a Ripasso, a winery first makes a Valpolicella. The wine is then re-fermented with the dried grapes used to produce Amarone. The Sant’Antonio Ripasso offers tastes of fruit and aromas of cherry liqueur, spice and chocolate.

 

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2007 Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni this week. Wine Spectator awarded this wine 93 points and it is another example of the terrific 2007 Tuscan vintage. The taste features rich fruits – strawberry and raspberry - with touches of espresso, cocoa and vanilla.

 

Chef Joe has created three new tapas plates to pair with each Italian wine this week. The following wine and tapas will be available until March 31.

 

2008 San Quirico Vernaccia, Tuscany

100% Vernaccia

Baby shrimp ravioli with roasted peppers tossed in basil-pistachio cream sauce

 

2006 Sant’Antionio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso “Monti Garbi”, Veneto

70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina, 5% Oseletta

Duck and mushroom ragout with pappardelle pasta and truffle oil

 

2007 Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni, Tuscany

50% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Sangiovese

Roasted Berkshire pork with ricotta gnocchi and cherry-laced jus

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!