Wednesday, August 04, 2010

A Memphis Winelist Challenge

Business travel finds me in Memphis, Tennessee. I'm going for dinner, on my own, to Bari Ristorante e Enoteca. They have a nice sized all-Italian wine list, including a lot of wines by the glass. I don't know what I'm going to eat, but it's 103 degrees here and it will probably be something on the lighter side. I'm willing to spend$35-$40 on wine.

What should I drink at Bari?

13 comments:

King Krak, Oenomancer said...

"Wine Flights are Available" - perhaps your best choice.

Anonymous said...

You're a Champagne guy, and it's hotter than hell (so a light meal) so perhaps a Prosecco, such as the Sergio or Franco. Lots of great still white choices, if you don't want that extra buzz in the heat and you don't want to drink something so celebratory alone. I'd vote for a Pinot Grigio. I don't know the Ronco Cucco, but I like the name, and, after all, it's the most expensive (and your money, not mine). Have a nice trip and a lovely meal.

TWG said...

booze: amari, grappa, lemoncello

Anonymous said...

Rizzi Barbera if you can handle a red in this weather. This is one of the only wines in your pricepoint that's well worth it.

Lady T said...

Just discovered your blog definitely excited to read and learn more about wines and champagne!

Fillay said...

This list looks a little bit the Italian section at my local wine superstore - carefully polished by all the big distributors.

I don't know Lungarotti's whites, but that Torre di Giano piques my interest.

MichaelB said...

San Lorenzo Verdicchio looks a cheap safe bet. From the price it's probably the "Gino"(2009?) label; not as impressive as their other wines but still nice, clean and refreshing.Biodynamic if memory serves.

Anonymous said...

San Lorenzo or Villa Sparina are decent if of recent vintage.

Best, Tenbrooks

michelecolline said...

No vintages?...geezz...IF they are 2009 the La Valentina Cerasuolo or the Cusumano Inzolia. Especially if you have never had these grapes(or style in the case of the La Valentina). Plus, by yourself, they are reasonably priced.

Chris said...

+1 on flights

or

La Valentina Montepulicano D’Abruzzo Cerasuolo

Nicola said...

Either the sparkling pinot grigio, the riesling or the rosado Montepulicano d'Abruzzo

I hope you let us know what you did drink and what you thought of it.

I will say the prices look to be better in TN than in NY.

Brooklynguy said...

Thanks for all of these suggestions.

There were some things that do not appear on the website wine list, and others that do not appear in person. I began with 2009 Vietti Roero Arneis (not on the web-list), which I thought was fine, not memorable. It was good with linguini with shaved bottarga, mint, and garlic. Then I had grilled whole sardines with lemon and olive oil, and a side of fava bean puree and went with the Costamolino Vermentino de Sardegna. Also fine, not memorable. I did have a lovely Amaro afterwards though, full of cinnamon and orange peel, very light, and I cannot remember which one. It was a wine-shaped bottle with a black label that has a horizontal orange stripe at the bottom.

matt m said...

That would have been the (delicious) Nardini amaro.