We started the evening with Zardetto Prosecco Brut Conegliano - always a crowd pleaser for all types of palates. Its fresh, refreshing light citrus peach is aways a slam dunk. It went perfectly with the best fried calamari in Philadelphia: delicate and melting in your mouth with no rubbery texture. YUM!!!
Though a crowd of non geeks, most appreciate good wines; we had way too many bottles of wine. With my MOUSAKA I enjoyed:
2001 Sartori Amarone della Valpolicella - deep garnet, with elegant spice and earthy umpf - quite a surprise and very enjoyable. No goop whatsoever and not jammy like the last Amarone I had in recent years. Must try again when my palate is not so overwhelmed.
2002 Chateau Faugeres Grand Cru. A lush and earthy/barnyardy fruit cake merlot with a milk chocolate roundness that is a favorite. More modern, but balanced and very enjoyable.
2001 Capcanes Vall de Calas This was a total surprise as a student of mine who is from Spain brought this. Elegant and refined tempranillo/merlot/garnacha. Spicy, peppery with refined licorice. Must explore this region of Spain.
2001 La Palazzola Rubino IGT Umbria 80% merlot and 20% cab. Barnyard and leather; lush fruit and longish finish. Modern but balanced.
A friend gave me a bottle of Champagne Pommery Brut Royal, which is probably why I have a big headache this afternoon!
And the rowdy bunch:
Happy birthday my friend!
