Dinner Pairing- Zeppoli's (Italy)

On Sunday April 1, 2012 my friends Abby, Katelyn, Matt, and I attended the Zeppoli's wine pairing dinner.  The wines that were featured were all from Italy.  We tried 4 white wines and 5 red wines.  The atmosphere of the restaurant was very relaxed and everyone was very friendly.  The area we sat in was very cozy.  The wait staff was very knowledgable about wines and knew the ones we tried very well.

The front of the restaurant

The food was served in a buffet style.  We ate Mediterranean pasta which consisted of pasta, olives, onions, tomatoes and feta cheese.  This was my favorite dish by far.  I also had pasta shells with marinara sauce, brie and crackers, salad with chicken, pizza bread, and bread with olive oil baked on it.  The food was all very good and paired well with the wine.

Abby and I at dinner.

For some of the wines, we did a blind taste test where the waiter would pour one one and have us compare it with the second wine that he poured.  We would then have to guess which wine was which.  I really enjoyed this because we go into trying the wines without knowing the price or alcohol content so we see which ones we really liked without judging them first.  

wines we tasted

Here are the wines we tasted:

Fossi Bianco Table Wine: Alcohol content: 11.5%; This was good.  It had a lemon nose and was very citrusy.  It was a little bitter but overall had a very smooth finish.  I had this wine with the salad with chicken.  The chicken made it taste a little less bitter and smoother.  It was a very light and refreshing wine.  $6.99

La Fiera Pinot Grigio, 2010:  Alcohol content: 12%; This had a very floral nose with a hint of pears.  It was a little bitter also and citrusy.  I had this with the mediterranean pasta which made it taste smooth and less bitter.  It was also a very dry wine. $7.99

Nals Margried Pinot Grigio, 2010: Alcohol Content: 14% This wine had a very fruity nose that smelled like apples.  It was medium bodied but really refreshing.  It had a little bit of a "hot" finish.  I tried this with the mediterranean pasta.  $14.00

Lodali Moscato D'Asti 2011: Alcohol Content: 5.5% This had a very intensely fruity nose.  It was very fruity tasting as well and had hints of apple on the nose and taste.  I liked this wine.  I tried it with the salad with chicken. $12.99

Luca Primitivo del Salento Puglia: Alcohol Content: 13% This wine was very smooth.  It had a very heavy and musty nose.  It tasted like berries.  I couldn't really pick up what it smelled like because the mustiness overpowered my nose.  I tried this with the pasta with marinara sauce. $8.99

SUD Primitivo Pulgia, 2010: Alcohol Content: 13.5% This had an extremely vanilla nose.  It was a little hot on the finish.  It also tasted a lithe like berries and spices.  I also tasted this with the pasta with marinara sauce.  $11.99

Morli Neri Chiante DOCG, 2009: Alcohol Content: 12.5% This was a very smooth wine.  It was a little chalky tasting.  I detected hints of blackberries in this.  I liked this wine.  It is a medium-bodied wine.  I tried this with the pizza bread.  $9.99

Bibi Graetz Casamata Toscana 2010: Alcohol Content: 12%  This had a very berry nose.  It was very smooth and medium bodied.  It was a little spicy.  It was also very earthy tasting.  I had this with the pizza bread.  $12.99

Lodali Nebbiolo D'Alba Sant Ambrogio, 2009: Alcohol Content: 13.5% This wine was described to us as a Borolo wine but it could not be called this because it did not follow the laws that are placed for Borolo wines.  I thought this wine was ok.  It had a weird aftertaste to me.  It was very fruity and smooth with a hint of sweetness. $17.99