This one does exactly what it says on the tin: black cherries, spice, mint, plums. It’s like chewing gum and walking….through a French orchard on a wet autumn day.
It cost me £9.99 from Virgin and is one of the better ten quid bottles from their stable.
Serve cool (not cold). It accentuates the mint. The perfect antidote for drab football matches, and a great partner for pizza.
Have you ever placed a bet you can’t lose? Cast iron guaranteed?
Just prior to the start of the season I wagered the considerable sum of £10 with fellow Man City fan, Jamie Goode.
Lightly sparkling, fresh and with bright acidity, this is a veritable Bellini in a bottle even without the peach!
I first tasted this at a Wine Society tasting in sunny (ok it was a few weeks ago!) Manchester. I immediately placed a bulk order for, erm, quarter of a case. As the dregs of the third bottle slip smoothly down my throat like a porn star’s underwear down her ample thighs, I now regret my meanness…..
La Riva dei Frati Prosecco di Valdobbiadene came from the Wine Society at £8.95.
Browsing through the comprehensive wine list, I was delighted, and more than a little relieved, to find a section marked Under $75, full of interesting wines. What is this New York obsession with pricing wine like its skyscraper condos – way out of the reach of the average man?
“This is a traditional New York Italian family restaurant” said our Pacific Island looking waiter pointing at a huge canoe full of pasta being delivered to the next table. A random walk around the pleasant residential areas of the upper west side had allowed us to use the antiquated predecessor to www.stumbleupon.com to find an eaterie.
Italian wines are often accused of being over-tannic. I guess that is a matter of opinion but I woke up with a headache this morning.
Last night I had the pleasure of attending my first Wine Society event, an informal tasting within the impressive architecture of the Freemason’s Hall on Bridge Street. Such things clearly need a theme and this one was “Italy from top to toe”. Given the country in question one might equally have dreamt up “heel to sole” or “thirst to last”. But that’s enough cobblers.
There is no shortage of choice in West Yorkshire when it comes to Italian restaurants. But they are known to change hands occasionally.
I recently wrote up a posthumous review of Marco’s Ristorante in Hightown, Liversedge and a correspondent advised that this place has morphed into Don Luigi’s, run by Marco’s former head waiter, Fabrizio. Having eaten there recently, I was delighted to agree with MG that several improvements have been made. The cooking, decor and even wine list are all superior.
I wonder what went through Claudio’s mind when I asked how warm the wine was. I reached out my hand to touch the bottle. Claudio winced. Another stupid and ignorant Englishman? Even worse than an ignorant Scotsman. I grinned. The bottle was cool. Claudio nodded approvingly. He had served the Primitivo Da Castello di Puglia at the recommended 16-18 degrees. Probably even cooler actually, which suited the wine rather well. Sweet flavours of cherries, cherry lips and bubble gum collided with the not unexpected tannic youth of the Italian stallion.
I really wanted to like Casa Mia Millennium. My recent experience at Casa Mia Grande in Chapel Allerton was unparalleled. Also, Marco, ex Flying Pizza and Marco’s is running front of house, so I had high hopes of the Leeds city centre branch of this popular family run restaurant cluster.
Unfortunately, it is almost, but not quite there. For a start there is too much furniture in the awkward shaped rooms. Getting to the bar is a mountaineering challenge if there are more than 3 people in a room that should have capacity for 25.
Upstairs the main dining room’s tables sit uncomfortably together like patients at a busy clap clinic. It was almost impossible not to participate in the birthday celebration next door. By contrast, the service is a bit uncoordinated and, although there appeared to be sufficient staff, we did feel a little neglected.
On my new iPhone I have downloaded an application called AroundMe. It is totally brilliant. Staying at the Grange, Holborn in London, I simply select Restaurants and AroundMe finds all the local ones, literally within a few hundred yards. I can then locate my favoured choice on a map and ask for directions, shortcut to its website or quicklink through to dial its telephone number.
I was intrigued by Trattoria Verdi because it was founded in 1964, the year of my birth. No resto lasts that long unless it has some loyal custos. The waitresses however, were probably born thirty years later and wore the slightly supercilious, bemused, and yet knowing smile of the receptionist that served Alan Partridge at the Norwich Travel Tavern.
Stumble It!