WTN: Soave and Port @ Street & Co in POrtlsnd ME

Sunday we went from Farmington ares down to Portland, Settled in with our hosts, walked around the Back Cove trail, and then went to dinner at Street & Co in the Old Port district. Crowded but not extraordinarily noisy, nice rustic space. Service was fine, food was delicious. Betsy started with a “taste” of bluefish pate with pickled onon on toast, while I had a small serving of salmorejo with Serrano ham and avocado- both very good.

They were out of the crab bread pudding, so I switched my order to grilled octopus with a rice pilaf with a tomato and red pepper sauce- good choice! I think octopus is the one protein that I just can never do as well at home as a good restaurant (though God knows plenty of places screw up the pulpo!). This was smoky, tender, meaty, and delicious.

I shared the octopus with Betsy, and she shared a great salad of local lettuce, spiced eggplant & boquerones.For mains we each choose broiled fidh- scallops for herb, sole for me. Perfectly cooked, sizeable portions, with nice sides of squash and tomato.

While wine lists in Maine are limited (few distributors), this had some decent choices. I went with the 2011 Pieropan “Calvarino” Soave Classico - $48 , so roughly 2X NY retail, I can live with that. Full with fine acids, citrus fruit, salty mineral notes, some light almond hints. Well balanced, not especially profoumd, but a very good match with the food. B+

Betsy had a blueberry crumb dessert, as she was driving I had a glass of the Warre “Otima” 20 year Tawny Port . Nutty, raisiny, fragrant and pleasing, just a little hot. Good. B

Very nice dinner, and not too pricey (3 courses each, bottle of wine, dessert, dessert wine, tea for $200 including tip). Highly recommended

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

I tried the 2011 Pieropan “Calvarino” Soave Classico along with the "La Rocca". I prefer the La Rocco by far as in I think its more interesting now and has a big upside of potential once the oak integrates more. Great wine for the price. $35 retail. Now a regular buy for me. The 2012 was just released too so now I have a bit of a vertical started.

[David M. Bueker]

I have largely given up ordering Port btg, as it is too often from a bottle that has been open for many days/weeks.

HAven;t had the 2011 La Rocca, but in oast Ive consistently preferred the Calvarino as the La Rocca's oak is so prominent. But never had one with real age

I never order VP (or Sauternes) btg but at busy restaurants with active wine program I'm generally comfortsble with tawnies and Madeira, which hold over s much longer peiod (especially latter)