A Tavola was one of my Top Four Favorite Restaurants of 2024, and their wine dinners are always a treat. And Ciro, a friendly and humorous person, always presents an excellent selection of Italian wines, that pair well with the cuisine. I went home from the dinner, fully sated and fully pleased with everything I'd consumed.
With the cocktail, we snacked upon some thinly sliced Soppressata and 32 month-old aged Parmigiano. I enjoyed the flavorful Soppressata but it was the aged Parmigiano which really stood out to me. The texture, with its crunch, is appealing, along with flavors of hints of spice, dried fruits and strong umami.
The Trebbiano Lemon was a pleasant pairing with the lemon and parsley Arancini, in a Green Goddess aioli. A nice crispy and light exterior, hiding the more creamy interior, with the acidity of the lemon providing a nice balance.
This wine was also paired with my favorite dish of the evening, Braised Texas Boar Cacciatore and Yukon potatoes. The dish was loaded with meaty pieces of tender boar, with a compelling blend of a variety of spices. I've long been a fan of boar, and it's a popular dish in a number of regions in Italy as well. Hearty and delicious, this was a perfect dish for a chilly evening, and the wine was a nice choice for the pairing.
And such a hearty dish came, with the Barbera Braised Short Rib & Roman Gnocchi. The amply-sized hunk of extremely tender and flavorful short rib was an excellent pairing to the Supertuscan. you only needed a fork to break up the short rib, and each mouth-watering taste was a pure delight. The Roman Gnocchi was something different for me, as it looks more like polenta, but is made with egg, and thus has a touch of a more custard-like texture. It was delicious and I appreciated this more unique addition to the plate.
The evening began with a cocktail, the Grinta Spritz, which is made with Grinta Amaro, lemon, and Prosecco. Grinta Amaro is a digestif made in the Piedmont region of Italy, produced with a variety of local herbs and roots. The Grinta Spritz possessed a tasty herbal element, with hints of bitterness and citrus notes. A refreshing start to the meal.
The first wine of the evening was the 2022 Bocale Trebbiano Spoletino, a white wine made from 100% Trebbiano Spoletino, which is a different type of Trebbiano than many have experienced before. the grape is grown in the region of Umbria, The winery was established in 2002, although the family has roots in the area for over one hundred years. The term "bocale" refers to "a two-liter mug of wine or olive oil," and the name has been used by the family for many years. Their vineyards are sustainably farmed.
The wine matures on the lees for several months, and sees only stainless steel. It was a fascinating wine, with complex and intriguing flavors, including citrus and stone fruit, with a strong herbal streak and hints of saline. A very unique tasting wine and its flavors seem to evolve over time in the glass. Highly recommended, especially considering it commonly retails for under $20.
The next wine was the 2021 Federico Ferrero Barbera d'Alba, produced by a winery whose roots extend back over 200 years, although the modern winery was established around 2002. A fine Barbera, with a rich body, plenty of red and black fruit flavors, good acidity, low tannins, and a pleasing finish.
The next dish was Hand-Rolled Pici, topped by a San Marzano tomato crema and basil. The Pici, which originated in Tuscany, is like a fatter version of spaghetti. The name "Pici" is said to derive from the term "appiciare," which refers to the technique of forming the long, thicker pasta. The Pici had a nice, thicker taste, with a delightful light tomato crema. It was a heartier dish with the Pici, and a nice pairing with the Barbera.
My favorite wine of the evening was the 2019 Torrevento Castel del Monte Bolonero, produced by a winery whose history extends back about 100 years. The winery practices sustainable farming practices. This wine is a blend of 80% Nero di Troia and 20% Aglianico, which ages for about 8 months in stainless steel. Nero di Troia is a lesser known grape from Puglia, whose origins may extend back to the ancient Greeks. However, it's said to produce quite delicious wines and is said to be deserving of much more attention.
The wine was silky smooth, with a complex melange of flavors, including ripe plum and black cherries, accented by spice notes and savory herbs. Restrained tannins, excellent acidity, and a lingering, satisfying finish. Pure deliciousness and highly recommended, especially considering it commonly retails for only around $15.
The final wine of the evening was the 2011 Il Moro di San Giovanni Supertuscan, a blend of 40% Cabernet France, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Petite Verdot. Their vineyards were planted in 2003. The wine ages in French barriques, both New and Old, for about 10-12 months. The wine is bigger and bolder than the previous reds, but still much more restrained than you might expect. It's a well balanced wine, with a complex blend of flavors, from black and blue fruits to savory spices, to hints of leather and a touch of earthiness. An impressive wine that calls out for a hearty dish.
Overall, this was another amazing wine dinner from the team at A Tavola. At $110 per person, you received an ample portion of delicious dishes, four excellent wines, and a tasty cocktail. A good value considering the quality and quantity of everything. A Tavola is consistently excellent, which is a major reason why it's one of my Top Favorites.
Keep an eye on their Calendar for future wine dinners, and I'll note that they may hold a BBQ dinner in March. I attended their last Bourbon & BBQ dinner, and it was a superb experience. Or just stop by A Tavola any time for dinner.
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