WBW#15: MicroVino

Happy WineBloggingWednesday #15 to everyone.  Like Lenn, my voyage into small(er) production wine begins this evening.  Living in the wine unfriendly state of Utah, I was concerned that the state wine shop would offer few/none bottles at or below the 250-case threshold that Fatemeh of Gastronomie has asked us to follow.  I entered the shop with low expectations - hoping that I would be granted a “Utah Wine Isolation Exception” if I managed to find a 1,000 case production wine.  Lo and behold, after scrutinizing many wines, I narrowed my choice down to three bottles:

1. Hartford Court Pinot Noir 2001, Marin County (USA), $55 - 292 cases
2. Henschke Hill of Grace 1999, Eden Valley (Australia), $330 - only a few cases (less than 50) exported to the US
3. Silvio Grasso ‘Pi Vigne’ Barolo 2000 (Italy), $54 - 250 cases

Seeing as how I didn't have three large bill$ in my pocket and I’ve sort of overdone west coast Pinots of late, I went with the Barolo.  How was it?  I don’t know yet, I’m diving into it tonight - still looking for the perfect recipe that will make me say, “mmmmm Barolo.”  Can any Barolo-fans out there recommend a recipe?

Comments

[Carry]

My husband and I love Barolo's. This wine needs big, butch food to match the power of the Nebbiolo grape. Try...rich game casseroles, Parmesan cheese, roast venison; or go wild with a spicy Indian curry to match the heat.

[Jack]

Looking forward to hearing your tasting results. Silvio Grasso is one of my favorite Barolo producers.

[bill]

2 hours in a caraffe and an osso buco baby..lotsalotsa mushrooms
http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2004_12_01_thecaveman_archive.html

bill

[beau]

I think rich game casserole is a fine suggestion. My buffalo needed an earthy component to pair better with this Barolo - perhaps mushrooms and/or rice.