Mano a Vino - Eat, Drink, Write - Great Wine, Food, Beer and Places

New Italian Wines of Cantina Sociale Bergamasca, Valcalepio DOC, Bergamo, Lombardia

Little known in the United States, Valcalepio is a wonderful wine growing area in the province of Bergamo, Lombardia, Italy. I have a special reason for loving the enchanting city of Bergamo which has existed since 49 B.C. but I will tell you that story further on.

First I would like to talk about the wonderful wines I tasted this past week at an event held at the fabulous Enoteca DiPalo on Grand Street in New York City where we enjoyed some of the perfect wines of Cantina Sociale Bergamasca in the DOC zone called Valcalepio.

The charming and engaging wine-maker Vanessa Verdoni along with her fellow wine-maker the accomplished Emanuele Medelago Albani presented these very applaudable wines which we hope will soon be coming to the NY area.

Let me tell you about them...

Enoteca Di Palo, how have I missed this great Italian wine shop for so long

I had the opportunity to attend a wine tasting at this fabulous wine store in Little Italy. If you know Little Italy or the great places to get real Italian cheese, meats and pastas, etc. around NY than you must know the Di Palo name. They are family that has made some of the best fresh Italian cheeses here since the early 1900's.

Enoteca Di Palo is the creation of Sam Di Palo, son of Lou Di Palo who is the grandson of Concetta and Luigi... oh go ahead and read the history here Di Palo Legacy. It is a wonderful story

My connection to the Di Palo family started in 1971 when I moved to New York and rented a fourth story railroad apartment in a walk-up around the corner on Spring Street for $90 a month. I would often shop at their store on Grand Street and the other shops, bakeries, and produce markets in the area. I always loved how welcome they made me feel and just loved their fresh ricotta cheese.

I had not been to Di Palo's in years and was delighted to be back again. And very excited to discover the collection of boutique wines at Enoteca Di Palo. 

Chengdu 1 Chinese Restaurant Cedar Grove NJ Review

We are loyal TS Ma, Montclair, fans and rarely go anywhere else other than to places in NY. Well last night there was a 20 minute wait for a table at TS Ma. We were hungry so decided to go over Bradford Hill to a place I have wanted to try for years, Chengu 1 in Cedar Grove.

Many foodie friends have told me how good the food is there. It is true what most reviewers say it does not look like much from the outside but inside it is pleasant enough. Rather casual with some kids wandering about. There were many chinese diners which is always a good sign.

We loved our meal and will be back.  But next time with a group so we can taste a lot more dishes.

I always wondered what Chengdu meant since there are so many restaurants named that. Chengdu 46, Cheng Du 23...

Inexpensive Italian red wine Mio Valpolicella by Allegrini Corte Giara

This is one of the best inexpensive Italian red wines I have tasted in some time. It was the  favorite at recent informal wine tasting with friends and family where we served it with some dishes of the region.

Allegrini winery, under the stewardship of sixth generation Marilisa Allegrini, produces some of Italy's, if not the world's, finest wines. Their commitment to the wines of Valpolicella shows a passion for elegance and a commitment to a long tradition of true yet enlightened wine making.

In 1989 an innovative project  called Corte Giara was started with a select group of grape growers with "a philosophy to deliver high value wines for everyday drinking, that have a modern and stylish appeal, while staying true to their roots." Winebow Importer

One result is this deliciously fruity medium bodied red wine that sells for under $10.

Northern Italian White Wines of Friuli-Venezia-Guilia

Daughter Nell and I hosted a wine tasting dinner for new friends just setting out on their wine discovery adventure.

As is often the case with a 23 year old, we were in last minute preparation just the night before which demand a fast trip over to nearby Shoppers Vineyard to pick out some wine. We spent some time contemplating a theme and landed on wines of Northern Italy which included two whites from Friuli-Venezia-Guilia and a red from Veneto.

I was was excited to find that Shoppers Vineyard had expanded their selection of Northern Italian whites, previously thier selection had been focused on a lot of Pinot Grigio and just a one or two other choices of Northern Italian whites. That night they had more to choose from.

Let me tell you about the two wonderful whites we chose, a Savignion by Azienda Agricola Perusini and a Friulano from Tenuta Luisa.