My posts about the trip to Vinitaly will include two separate series - one about the show itself, and another about all of the wines we drank at our meals. This is the first post on the latter subject.
Our first night in Venice we went to our local favorite, all'Acuigheta, which is just across from our hotel. The restaurant has an incredible selection of wines at great prices and it's always nice to see our friends there. On this night, we arrived early taking shelter from the rain so there was one bottle of wine while we snacked on ciccheti (traditional Venetian appetizers). Our first bottle was the 1999 Quintarelli Valpolicella. The old master of the region, Quintarelli's Valpolicellas are quite an experience. They aren't as massive as those from dal Forno, but instead offer up an elegance that is quite remarkable. The 1999 is really incredible, with so much fruit, but such a harmonious, balanced profile. I am glad to say I was able to purchase a bottle and bring it home with me as well.
Next up that night with dinner (Taglioni neri with calamari for me) we stepped up to an Amarone. The 2004 Brig'aldara Amarone was a wonderful wine from one of our favorite producers. It is still young, but showing plenty of the telltale cherry and raisiny fruit of Amarone. It was a great cap to our first day in Venice, and just a hint of the great wines still to come.
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