354488 Tue Dec 26 19:58:38 -0800 2006 4 34 Wine 0 2129581 Any rcommendations from the Barolo Grille's owner's favorites. My knowledge of Italian wines is nil. We are having dinner for 12 in the wine room. Owner's recs are: Blair’s Favorites from the Cellar Comes with the famous Barolo Guarantee, "If you don’t love it, we’ll drink it with our dinner..." Sparkling (Spumanti Dolci) Moscato d’Asti, Palladino, 2005, Piemonte $38.00 Brachetto d Acqui, Palladino, 2005, Piemonte $45.00 Outstanding Whites (Bianchi Superiori) Favorita, ‘Casa’, Gianni Gagliardo, 2000, Piemonte $39.00 Falanghina, ‘Sannio’, Castello Ducale, 2005, Campania $35.00 Vermentino, ‘Ampelos’, Arrigoni, 2003, Liguria $28.00 Cinqueterre, ‘Giumin’, Arrigoni, 2005, Liguria $40.00 Pinot Grigio, ‘Soll’, Caldaro, 2005, Alto Adige $45.00 Pinot Bianco, ‘Vial’, Caldaro, 2004, Alto Adige $45.00 Outstanding Reds (Rossi Superiori) Pinot Nero, Caldaro, 2004, Alto Adige $34.00 Morellino di Scansano, Fattoria la Peschiera, 2004, Toscana $35.00 Rosso Piceno, ‘Pitulum’, Casalfarneto, 2003, Marche $36.00 Tenimenti Luigi D’Alessandro, Syrah, 2003, Toscana $36.00 Aglianico del Vulture, ‘Vulture’, Terra del Re, 2003, Basilicata $40.00 Valpolicella Classico Superiore, ‘Pojega’, Guerrieri-Rizzardi, 2003, Veneto $40.00 Barbera d’Alba, ‘Vigna Much', Prinsi, 2003, Piemonte $45.00 Rosso di Montalcino, Terra Rossa, 2003, Toscana $45.00 Salento Blend,(Primitivo/Merlot/Cabernet),‘Terre del Guiscardo’, Antica Masseria,2001, Puglia $47.00 Super Tuscan, (Sang/Merlot), ‘Oltre’, Terra Rossa, 2003, Toscana $49.00 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, ‘Riserva’, Fanetti, 2001, Toscana $55.00 Pinot Nero, ‘Saltner’, Caldaro, 2004, Alto Adige $59.00 Super Tuscan, (Sang/Cabernet), ‘Granchiaia’, Le Macie Del Ponte, 2003, Toscana $79.00 Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi, 2000, Toscana $79.00 Brunello di Montalcino, Terra Rossa, 2000, Toscana $80.00 Barbaresco, ‘Gaia Principe’, Prinsi, 2001, Piemonte $85.00 Cabernet/Merlot, ‘Solesine’, Bellavista, 1998, Lombardia $89.00 Chianti Classico Riserva, ‘Giorgio Primo’, La Massa, 2000, Toscana $95.00 Barolo, 'La Morra', Gianni Gagliardo, 2001, Piemonte $95.00 Tue Dec 26 19:58:38 -0800 2006 62018 Hoffmnron 1 2129711 Without knowing what you'll be eating, I'd recommend the Falanghina as the white and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano for the red. The two sparkling wines mentioned are most commonly consumed after a meal and aren't really sparkling -- they're frizzante (effervescent). Tue Dec 26 21:02:59 -0800 2006 2129581 15835 Husky 1 2136167 IMO most of the "big reds" on this list are a bit young... Also, 2001 isn't a particularly great year for Barolo or Barbaresco, nor is 2000 a particularly good year for Brunello or Chianti and the Super Tuscans are just too young. For value and quality in the reds, I'd choose the Valpolicella Classico Superiore. It's likely to be quite delicious on it's own and very "food friendly". Definitely go with the Moscato d'Asti up front, but keep it on the table as it may match alot of your meal (and dessert as we've discussed on this board) quite nicely. As for whites, walking away my favorite Italian white is a high-Gargenega Soave Classico which I don't see on the menu. Another poster suggested the Falahgina, which might be good. Alot of "reviewers" like whites originating in the Alto Adige although I find alot of them to be somewhat thinnish and unremarkable. ASK THE WINE SERVER FOR RECOMMENDATIONS HERE! Enjoy and very happiest of birthdays! Please report back. Fri Dec 29 06:19:15 -0800 2006 2129581 42549 Chicago Mike 1 2147383 By chance, is this Barola Grille in Denver, CO? Do you have any idea what you might be dining on - on-line menu? That would go a long way towards helping select the wines. In general, I agree with Chicago Mike, but the menu could change that greatly. Hunt Wed Jan 03 03:27:29 -0800 2007 2129581 11329 Bill Hunt 1 2148212 The Soave Classico on the regular wine list are from Pieropan (2004) at $39, and 'Costaggiola', Guierrieri-Rizzardi (2002) at $38. It sound like Chicago Mike would choose one of those over the "Favorite Whites" in the original posting. And yes, this is the Barolo Grill in Denver. Meal will be a la carte, so there are a wide range of food possibilities. I would like to have a nice white and a nice red available to all, and at the suggestion above, the Moscato d' Asti as a starter. Ron Wed Jan 03 14:57:05 -0800 2007 2129581 62018 Hoffmnron