We were in Amanti Vino to pick up the June installment of my Goda wine club, two very interesting white wines this month. (review to follow)
Today I needed a red for the Barbecue-Braised Vietnamese Short Ribs with Sweet Vinegar Glaze we were making for dinner, A great recipe from Fine Cooking.
I asked my friend Sue Guerra, who works at Amanti, for a suggestion.
She knows the wines at Amanti well, and I am always happy with her recommendations, but I was surprised when she started to walk toward the Italian section. I was expecting her to suggest something like an Australian Shiraz or a Washington State Pinot Noir.
When she offered a bottle from Masserie Pisari a practicing organic estate in in Puglia in the southern Salento, it made sense. The wine is made of 100% Primitivo, in the US this grape is called Zinfandel which we all know is a great wine for grilled meats.
This wine is not like a typical Cali Zin bursting with strawberry and raspberry. It is delicious and fruity but has herbaceous nutty undertones in a rich balanced wine that envelopes the tounge with delightful flavors. It went great with the ribs.
A Marc De Grazia Selection. At $14.99 it is a great buy.
Read More of Sue's take on Wine on her NJ Monthly Wine Blog
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
Comments