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WINE PRESS
ESSEX COUNTY WINE SOCIETY August 23, 2006 Dear Fellow Wine Society Members and Fellow Wine Lovers: The Essex County Wine Society plans for its 34th year a diverse number of tastings, keeping our choices, as usual, primarily in Europe, including three from France and one each from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. An Oregon pinot noir survey completes the list. Our first event is our Fall dinner which will be at Basilico in Milburn, an Italian restaurant described in Zagat’s (2006-2007 New Jersey Restaurants) as having “marvelously prepared Northern Italian fare . . . you can’t go wrong here”. Basilico is owned and operated by Mario DeMarco and Angelo Delbecchi. Both are graduates of the Hotel Management School in Alassio, Italy. Both Mario and Angelo grew up in Liguria, Italy and brought some of the specialties of the region. They opened their restaurant in 1999 after they worked together at Sergio’s, also in Millburn. The restaurant has been described as “casual and chic” with a definite New York look and feel. We decided it was the right place to open some of the Italian wines in our wine cellar. The wine with the hors d’oeuvres will be an Italian sparkler from Franciacorta, Ca’ del Bosco. Gambero Rosso 2006 (the Italian wine bible) describes it as “rich, harmonious . . . reveal[ing] fresh fruit”. The first course will be a porcini ravioli in a walnut and truffle sauce. This will be followed by a branzino with black ink risotto. As for our white wine we are yet to make a decision. Our choices include a 3 glass (Gambero Rosso’s highest rating) single vineyard Soave, a white wine from Friuli, and a Southern Italian white from Campania. The branzino will be accompanied by wines from the ECWS cellar, the 1997 La Spinetta (Giorgio Rivetti) Barbaresco Vigneto, Stardari and Gallina. Both received three glasses from Gambero Rosso. When they were released, the Wine Advocate described the Gallina as having “ a huge, complex, leather, soy, allspice, cherry liqueur and smoky-scented bouquet” (rating 96). The Starderi has a “full body, great fruit, concentration and power. . . [and] plenty of potential” (rating 92). We were concerned that we might be drinking them too early but the vineyard (via e-mail) assured us that they were drinking well now although they would last for years. We will then continue with seared veal tenderloin and then a Formaggio course. We are planning to serve two Brunello di Montalcino’s with these two courses. We will take out of our cellar the 1999 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino and the 1999 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova. Daniel Thomases in the Wine Advocate (April 29, 2005) said that the 1999 vintage in Montalcino generated the “finest series of Brunello di Montalcino ever produced.” Steve Tanzer in the International Wine Cellar (Sept/Oct 2004) indicated that “a sizable percentage of wines from this terrific vintage is outstanding and there are very few out-and-out disappointments.” The Altesino was described in Decanter (4 stars out of 5) as having a complex nose melding “cherry, sweet spices, herbs, and truffly underbrush. . . late notes of current, cherry and leather” Steve Tanzer (IWC) said it is “full-bodied with caressing tannins”. Casanova Neri Tenuta Nuova also received three glasses from Gambero Rosso and they commented that it has “ complex nose with spicy notes and intense fruit”. As the closing wine, we will serve a Vin Santo with biscotti. Vin Santo is made from grapes left to dry in the loft until Christmas (to shrivel and sweeten them). While this type of wine is made all over Italy, it is in Tuscany that a “few producers age it in small barrels to produce a Madeira-like effect. The results can be sensational” (Hugh Johnson, Modern Encyclopedia of Wine 1983). If you wish to sit with particular members at the dinner, please indicate the names on the attached response form and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please respond by Friday September 8, 2006. Our seating for the Fall Dinner will be limited to 60. An early reply will be necessary and members will receive preference. If there are more than 60 who desire to attend, a waiting list will be established. If you need directions to the restaurant please call the restaurant or check their website at BasilicoMillburn.com. Parking is available on Millburn Avenue or directly along side the restaurant. Please also get your 2006/2007 dues checks ($75.00) in the mail, even if you cannot join us at the Fall Dinner. We would like to get an indication as early as possible as to how many openings we will have for new members for the coming year. We look forward to seeing all of you on September 17. Details of the Fall Dinner are as follows: Date: Sunday, September 17, 2006 Reception: 5:00 p.m. Dinner: 6:00 p.m. Attire: Smart casual Location: Basilico Address: 324 Millburn Avenue Montclair NJ 07041 Telephone: 1-973-379 7020 Cost: $ 98.00 members $114.00 non-members & guests In vino veritas and a votre sante, Bob & Howard
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