Let's Ruché and Roll (Lesser Known Piedmont)
Details
Piedmont offers an incredible array of grape varieties, some of which are quite well-known. Our focus is on the ones lurking in the background, much like an actor waiting for a star turn on Law & Order.
Fortunately, our group member Irene, a regular visitor to Piedmont, has shared both her knowledge and some hard-to-find bottles from her travels and hours-long winery visits, and the four grape varieties on show tonight are: timorasso, slarina, vespolina, and ruché.
We will be dining at 83 1/2, a small Italian restaurant just west of the corner of E. 83rd and 1st Ave. It is easy to miss, but it is right next to Gino's Pizza. Here is a link to their menu
Just a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $32 and is for the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that comes to approximately $3 more for each RSVP. Sorry!
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $10 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
White
2022 Vigneti Massa Derthona (Timorasso)
Not your typical light and simply refreshing Italian aperitivo white wine. It’s got substance and structure and deserves substantial food, such as richer fish, poultry, and pork dishes.
From the Colli Tortonesi in south-eastern Piemonte, 'Derthona' is the ancient name for Tortona and is home to where winemaker Walter Massa rediscovered the Timorasso grape.
Known for its honeyed minerality and acidity, structure and depth, this is a great alternative to Austrian or Alsace dry Riesling
Reds
2018 Enrico Druetto Vino Rosso Rovej (Slarina)
Rovej 2018 is a full-bodied red with excellent structure for aging. Druetto's passion for the recovery of native vines emerges once again with Slarina, a difficult grape, very tannic and "bitter". It was considered an "improving" grape, to be cut and combined with Barbera.
The result is a very particular wine, with great personality, a wine that is very intriguing and above all long-lived.
2022 Rovellotti "Ronco al Maso" Colline Novaresi (Vespolina)
Vespolina usually plays the primary supporting role to the great Nebbiolo-based wines of the Alto Piemonte, however, here you have a 100% expression of the varietal.
Hailing from a 1 acre southern exposed plot in Ghemme, this wine is vinified in stainless steel to preserve its zesty, fresh, wild berry fruits. Added complexity comes from three months in large 'botti' (massive barrels) and is then bottled the spring following harvest. Chill it slightly and enjoy!
2023 Ferraris Vigna del Parroco Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato (Ruché)
The grapes used for this wine come from the first vineyard ever planted entirely with Ruchè. This wine captivates for its brightness, with shades of ruby and hints of purple on the rim.
Deep purple in color, this pretty wine has aromas of sour cherry, raspberry, and intense floral notes. The palate is vibrant and fresh with notes of game and strawberry fruit leather finishing with soft tannins and a persistent intensity of both savory and fruit-driven flavors.
Let's Ruché and Roll (Lesser Known Piedmont)