Toscana, Toscana and one more time Toscana! The new festival is dedicated to Chardonnay (from two very authoritative producers – Fattoria Felsina and Avignonesi) and to Brancaia, a sound representative of modern Italian winemaking.

As for Chardonnay, all is rather evident: for sure little oak barrels, for sure impressive aromas of exotic fruits and spices. Both wines are from the south of Tuscany, Felsina’s I Sistri – from outskirts of Siena, Avignonesi’s Il Marzocco – from Montelpulciano. Yes, they have many things in common but finding distinguishes and comparing impressions upon tasting them is as enthralling as it is tricky.

Considering Brancaia, we could easily call its wines immodest. There will three of them introduced during the festival: two super-Tuscans (Tre and Il Blu), both are blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and also Chianti Classico - dark, rich, imposing, thus very non-classical Chianti Classico.

The new specials from Costantino Passalacqua abound in the seefood: octopus, grouper, clams, sea-bass, shrimps. Lasagne with porcini and pork escalope alla romana should balance menu.

We dedicate our new wine festival to the very special producer of Verdicchio – Villa Bucci and two recognized producers from Piedmont: Moccagatta (you will be able to try its Barbaresco of the vintage 1999 from the Bric Balin vineyard) and Azelia (two Barolo ’98 by the glass, including Cru Bricco Fiasco).

Here you could familiarize yourself with the new special menu from Costantino Passalacqua.

Our first wine festival of 2008 could be easily referred to as the festival of the modern Italian wine. All wines are big and powerful, even white ones. For instance, Poggio Argentato from Le Pupille which is a blend of Traminer and Sauvignon is pleasantly sweet and fruity on the nose with a properly luscious body, while in Sharjs from Livio Felluga the cream of Chardonnay is nicely balanced by the raciness and vivacity of Ribolla Gialla. With the reds the story becomes even more intricate. First of all it is hard (if possible) to decide which wine to start the tasting from. The price tags don’t help here, since Chianti Classico Riserva from Villa Cafaggio is not less impressive than neither Morellino di Scansano from Fattoria Le Pupille nor Brunello di Montalcino from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona. All wines are young but nevertheless ready to be drunk, thus confirming on of the most important features of the modern winemaking.

Besides the first wine festival of 2008 we a proud to present a first special menu of 2008. Obviously the author is our beloved chef Costantino Passalacqua. Just think of the ravioli with goose meat and of polenta with porcini…

Yes, again we are playing an unbeatable Piedmont card. This time – with another set of great producers: Gianni Gagliardo, Albino Rocca and Giuseppe Mascarello. All wines are local, meaning classical. Among whites there are Roero Arneis and Favorita from Gagliardo. The first one is easier and very quaffable, the second – rather serious if not the most important of all wines made from the odd Favorita grapes. As for the reds, the two ones from Albino Rocca – are convincing examples of the modern style in winemaking. Both Dolcetto d’Alba and Barbaresco are fruity and intense, although in Dolcetto the fresh aromas of dark berries almost eliminate any feel of tannins while nothing could hide hefty tannins of Barbaresco. On the other hand, they are two wines of different destinies; Dolcetto is to be drunk now whereas properly powerful structure of Barbaresco guarantees its long and successful future. Finally, crowning our festival is Barolo from Giuseppe Mascarello. Things could not get any more classical: very special vineyard (Santo Stefano di Perno of Monforte d’Alba), small harvest, extended aging in large Slavonian barrels. A magnificent wine.

Please learn more about the new specials of our chef Costantino Passalacqua.

Sergei Gusovsky

- this slogan will unite millions of people who share a passion for the celebration of this young wine’s arrival.  We would like to take the hat off admitting such a phenomenal success of the French marketing gurus and are happy to join this event with the wine from famous producer, “the King” of Beaujolais – Mr. Georges Duboeuf. The specials though are quintessentially Italian and we do not feel envious towards French people here.

Sergei Gusovsky

Our mini-festival is dedicated to two great wines by great Antinori. We are going to serve super-Tuscans Tignanello and Guado al Tasso by the glass. Five years ago we did just that. The difference between these festivals though is that in 2002 we did put the wines on sale right after their arrival to Kiev, but now gave them a chance to lie for a year in our cellar. Sure, Tignanello and Guado al Tasso of 2003 would have only gained by resting quietly for some more five-seven years, but we wouldn’t have been ready for such squandering as "by the glass" service. Anyway, you can taste these wines now, as well as buy a bottle to two for a further careful storage.

A few technical details:

The year of 2003 was very hot. That could not help influencing the style of wines – they appear utterly ripe and thick. They might not be destined for as long of existence as the wines of 1999 or 2001, but after all we are drinking them today, aren’t we?..

Tignanello
85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
A wine from the very centre of Tuscan, from the Chianti Classico area. Produced since 1970. The first wine of Sangiovese grape which was exposed to maturing in oak barriques, the first Italian wine which was produced with addition of foreign grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon) and finally one of the first red wines in Chianti area which they began to produce without using white grape varieties.

Guado al Tasso
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah
Produced since 1990. The vineyards are located in the surroundings of the village of Bolgheri, in immediate proximity to vineyards of Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia). This wine may seem richer and bolder than Tignanello. Maybe less Italian and more French. But we are getting too personal here.

Sergei Gusovsky

So, the autumn is here. Don’t you feel like going to Piedmont? Truffles, Barolo and Barbaresco, Toma’ and Robiola (these are cheeses), Tajarin (that’s pasta)… In fact, not that difficult to arrange – just fly to Milan, from there go to Alba and after checking for a week into on of the local hotels – start making a day-trips around. If for any reason though you have to stay in Kiev though, there is a way to mitigate the Piedmontese syndrome: participate in our wine festival. During the next week we will be serving two types of Gavi (from Azienda Broglia) and three Barbera’s (from Boroli and from the famous Braida). Needless to say, all of the wines could be ordered by the glass.

Please learn more about the new specials of our chef Costantino Passalacqua.

Sergei Gusovsky

With this new wine festival we are going to ignore our own tradition. Typically, when showing the wines from Friuli we were preferring only the white ones, particularly Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. This time, with the wines of Girolamo Dorigo, things will be arranged differently. Besides two whites (pleasant, fruity and flowery Ribolla Gialla and full-bodied Chardonnay) we will be serving by the glass two wonderful reds, both from the autochthonous grapes: a very fine, classically shaped, matured Tazzelenghe and a modern, powerful Pignolo (three glasses from Gambero Rosso if you care).
 
As always, the new specials of our chef Costantino Passalacqua are coming just in time for the festival.

Sergei Gusovsky

Our new wine festival is dedicated to whites from Friuli and reds from Italian South, namely from Basilicata and Calabria. The festival is a good chance to try:
• very nice duo of Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon from Casa Zuliani;
• a volcanic, prehistorical Aglianico del Vulture (in two versions) from D’Angelo;
• a wine from scarcely known autochthonous grape Gaglioppo from Santa Venere.

Needless to say, that the new specials of our chef Costantino Passalacqua are coming just in time for the festival.

New wine festival brings up a very predictable line of wines from Veneto: two whites (Soave and Bianco di Custosa) and three reds (Valpolicella, Ripasso and Amarone). A very recognizable types of wine, from rather unknown producer – Fratelli Zeni. Quick comment? Sure: pleasant, nicely fragrant wines. Comfortable alcohol level (not very high). Good “tipicita”. Great price/quality balance. What else one might want?..

Finally, please learn more about the new specials of our chef Costantino Passalacqua.

Sergei Gusovsky