Bisson Vermentino “Vignaerta” 2006

(paired with Marinated Wellfleet Clams with green chiles, lemon and herbs – delightful)

It takes a heroic effort to cultivate vines on the steep slopes of the Ligurian coastline high above the Mediterranean Sea. Mechanization of vineyard tasks is out of the question; everything must be done by hand. The Vermentino “Vignaerta” is a more elegant wine, leaner but with great complexity, showing bright acidity, brilliant length, its strong minerality leavened by notes of citrus, almond, and licorice. At the dinner, many of us found a strong taste of grapefruit. Licorice – not so much. (13% alcohol)

Grosjean Petite Arvine 2007
(paired with Bufala Mozzarella and Beets with pistachios and black olives –quite tasty)

The grape is Petite Arvine, and this wine is super clean tasting, with bright acidity due to its mountain vineyard home. It shows notes of citrus fruit with a noticeable grapefruit profile and lots of minerality and a sense of salt at the finish. When you serve it very cold, it’s almost steely, but when it warms up, it opens up to reveal a richness and complexity that is quite unexpected. This wine is exceptionally good!! Dinner tasters would describe the richness as buttery or oily. (13% alcohol)

Ferrando Carema Ettichetta Bianca 2004
(paired with Porcini and Sourdough Soup with truffle spuma – outstanding)

This wine is aged for a minimum of four years, at least two in a barrel. It possesses gorgeous aromatics that lead to sweet herbs, tobacco, candied cherries, minerals and earthiness. The wine reveals stunning vibrancy and freshness with firm but beautifully integrated tannins. At the dinner, the tobacco and earthiness (as in dirt from mushrooms) really shone through. We also noticed a cherry taste and a tingle on the tongue. (13.5% alcohol)

Gour du Chaule Gigondas 2004
(paired with Roast Guinea Hen with chard, guanciale and sweet peppers – absolutely delicious)

Dark red. Deep, powerful and focused, with concentrated, expressive aromas of dark cherry, wild herbs, licorice, candied violet and Asian spices expanding and deepening with air. Vibrant, sharply focused red berry flavors accented by pepper, mace and rhubarb. Tannins build on the long finish, focusing the red fruit flavors. With this wine the licorice really did come through, and we certainly noticed the tannins. The mouth feel was smooth as glass. Very much like a Chateauneuf du Pape. The pairing with the roast guinea hen was perfect. (14% alcohol)