Montalcino, 53024

June 8, 2012 by postmarkhere 2 Comments

Three glasses of Brunello di Montalcino

Dear ——–,

We had thought we had made a wine-tasting appointment at Poggiarellino, a brunello di Montalcino producer recommended by Leah, but the owners Lodovico and Anna somehow seemed surprised that we showed up. Anna was apologetic — she couldn’t set up the wine tasting because the wine needed to breathe. How about she just gives us a bottle of brunello 2007 to take home and try on our own? We just had to promise to leave it open for three hours before drinking. Well, okay. But what kindness and hospitality! Still thirsty for an immediate wine tasting, we headed to the town of Montalcino, where we sat down at Enoteca Osticchio. A three-flight brunello tasting gave us a 2007 (like fog on the tongue), a 2004 (a fine, almost sugar-coated finish) and a reserve from 2006 (somehow less memorable than the first two). It was a nice way to end the day and Stella was even waiting patiently for us in her stroller. We finished the day at Why Not gelateria with a mix of creme caramel, extra dark chocolate and blood orange — easily one of the best cones I’ve ever had. A fitting end to an epicurean day!