Cantina Lorenzo Begali, March 1, 2014

On our way up to Madonna di Campiglio for our 2014 winter  vacation we managed to work in a winery visit.  An area I’ve always wanted to go to is the Valpolicella appellation of Veneto.

On the drive out there it made me realize that it is definitely an area I would like to return to for a long weekend…or more.  It was really beautiful.

When I first started my sommelier studies I fell in love with Amarone.  At the time, circa 2003, it was the best Italian red wine I had ever tasted.  It’s a big red, in fact you could make a meal out of it by itself.  For me now it’s almost too much, but it remains so special, in a class of itself, a one of a kind winestyle that just can’t be compared to any other.

In the past I had tasted a Valpolicella Classico Superiore, La Cengia 2008 from the Lorenzo Begali 

Lorenzo Begali

winery and thought it was fantastic, so I looked them up, put in a call and then we made our visit.  It was a wet rainy day and the atmosphere was quite dreary but the wines warmed us up and the owners were genuine people.

Tasting Notes 

11.     Valpolicella Classico 2012,

made from Corvina & Rondinella grapes

aged in only stainless steel

a really great wine for everyday drinking 

★★

22.     Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Ripasso 2011 “La Cengia”

made from Corvina & Rondinella grapes

this wine needs some time, it was honestly a little bit of a let down from the 2008 vintage. 

★

33.    Tigiolo, 2010

Made from Corvina 45% Cabernet s. 45% Rondinella 5% Merlot 5%.

They call this their mini amarone, which Lorenzo calls his own invention

44.     Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2010

aged in botte grande (big wood casks)

aroma of licorice, & cocoa with a smokey finish 

★★

55.     Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Monte Ca’Bianca 2008

Made from Corvina 40%, Corvinone 35%, Rondinella 20%, Oseleta 5% grapes

My absolute favorite of the tasting!

★★★

66.     Recioto della Valpolicella, 2010

made from Corvina & Rondinella & Molinara grapes

for more info

http://www.begaliwine.it/main.php?section=lazienda&lang=eng

Subasio con Gusto!

This weekend at Vinosofia we are serving Rocciata  di Erbe Campagnola with your wine of choice!


Manifesto Subasio Con Gusto

http://www.prospello.it/images/documenti/manifesto-subasio-con-gusto.pdf

Learn more about this great treat!

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocciata

http://www.alacarta.es/blog/la-rocciata-con-le-erbe-delle-prata-di-colfiorito/rocciata-di-erba-campagnola-foligno/

Osteria Del Circo, Madonna di Campiglio, March 6, 2014

It has been my experience that Hotel Restaurants are usually not the best, and are generally used as a last resort when you’re too tired to go out of the hotel. In Madonna di Campiglio this is not the case.  In fact, all of the best restaurants we ate at where hidden inside the hotels.  The hotels had their standard hotel restaurant, and then they also had a specialty restaurant.

Our first choice of hotels was the Cristal Palace Campiglio Alpine Hotel, but it was completely booked.  We were still intrigued by it and read great things about their Osteria Del Circo, so we made dinner reservations.  They offered their own taxi service to and from our hotel too which was great.

As we came down the honey colored wooden staircase, we entered into a room filled with warm light, piano bar music and movement. Our jackets were shuffled off and we decided to stay at the bar for a splendid bubbly, Ferrari Riserva Del Fondatore (complimentary).

Then we were guided through the bustling hotel restaurant dining room, where the dinner  buffet was in full action.  All the food looked great  and well stocked.

Main hotel dining room after everyone left

Then a ruby red velvet curtain was opened and we entered into the circo! The host gave us a choice of 3 tables and we choose the corner one. 
As we were reading the menu, some interesting looking, serious and tall gentlemen came in and sat at the table next to us.  The one Italian speaking of the three immediately asked the waiter for a menu in Russian. The waiter said we don't have one but we have Sascha, I’ll send him right away.  Sasha arrived subito and basically read the complete menu by memory in Russian.  He was very efficient.

Back to our table, we ordered some pretty filling plates and enjoyed every bit.  The owner came to our table and introduced himself and gave us one of his music CD’s.  He was so nice.

The trip advisor questions came up and we were encouraged to explore that option.  I, of course wrote a nice little review for them.

Unfortunately it was really really dark and the photo’s didn’t come out that well.

Graziano's sausage, potato
& sauerkraut plate

Osteria Del Circo

our friendly waiter was from the Marche region,
and yes, his tie is plastic, really fun

A locale Trentino wine from the Tenuta San Lorenzo,
a Merlot and Carménère blend, nice but a little too young

I thought this mirror was fantastic, a little creepy
but like a scene on a film on a boat or something...

seasoned alpine butters

Graziano's Pasta

an Alpine classic, polenta & cervo (venison) 

After dinner drinks

fun & creative table setting

loved the silverware & mis en place

my big ravioli