Viva Vino Italiano!

Hosted a decadent Italian feast, complete with Aperitivo, Antipasto, Primo, Secondo, Contorno, Insalata, Formaggie e frutta, Dolce, Caffe, Digestivo. Perfetto!

We were eating and drinking for more than 5 hours, but the portions were small enough to keep people from feeling over-stuffed. The meal was a "thank you" to repay past hosts, but it was also a way to inject some colour and warmth into what is proving to be a very long winter!

I picked the Italian theme as much for the wines as for the food. Although most ingredients were Mediterranean, I did veer off into English style short ribs and some Scottish cheddars.

• Bottega Vino dei Poeti Prosecco served with almonds, salami, olives, roasted artichokes for the Apperitivo/Antipasto
• Fattoria La Ripa Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 (Tuscany) served with fresh pasta for the Primo.
• Fontanafredda Barolo 2009 (Piedmont) served with the short ribs, seared lemons, and white bean salad.
• Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico 2011 (Tuscany) served with insalata of spinach, blood orange & pine nuts with a simple olive oil/red wine dressing
• Castelgreve Vin Santo del Chianti Classico served with formaggie e frutta (figs drizzled with honey, strawberries with balsalmic + inverloch cheddar, pecoro pepato)
• Rialto Grappa (Veneto) with Dolce  (chocolate raspberry truffles, amaretto cookies)
• Caffe & biscotti
• Lemoncella for Digestivo

 I hadn't tried Vin Santo or Grappa before, their distinct characters added nice notes to the meal.