Italian Rosato for Summer!

​As the title says, this 100 Sangiovese saw just a "few hours" maceration on the skins.  It is fresh and bright and made from certified organic grapes by Vittorio Navacchia and family.  Vittorio is here in town this week so ask me if you want us to come by and taste it with you.  And it is so inexpensive!

This has rapidly become our best selling rosato in just its second vintage back on the market after a long hiatus.  Crunchy is the new word for this type of ultr-light but flavorful rose`.  Or as the Italians say, "Crispy!".  The GD Vajra wines are still getting better every year and we are so happy that they are part of our family.

​

​The Rosacherosanonsei Rosato from Favaro is a perennial favorite.  This one is no exception.  Nebbiolo rosato with a few other grapes thrown in, this is a rose` de saignee that is produced in miniscule quantities.  So little in fact that you can't find it anywhere else in the United States but through Rinascimento Wine Company.

2018 Slow Wine "Snail" producers . . .

Every year, the Slow Wine Guide awards the symbol of the snail to wineries that are aligned with Slow Food values and that manage their vineyards without any herbicides or pesticides while also maintaining exceptional quality at affordable prices.  Here are the awardees for 2018 in the new guide from my portfolio of wines.  Congratulations to all of them for their hard work and dedication and for making great wine.

Abruzzo

Cirelli

Praesidium

Friuli Venezia Giulia e Slovenia

Ronco Severo

Piemonte

G.D. Vajra

Trentino

Pojer & Sandri

Veneto

Montesantoccio – Nicola Ferrari

 

New videos from G.D. Vajra website . . . . this is a little about Milena Vaira, matriarch . . .

Dinner with Francesca Vaira of G.D. Vajra at Officine Brera - Thursday, September 15th

Come meet Francesca Vaira of G.D. Vajra and Luigi Baudana from Piemonte, Italy and eat some great food from renowned chef Angelo Auriana at Officine Brera in DTLA. 

MENU

PASSED APPETIZER

merluzzo smoked salted water codfish, white endive, young onion, parsley oil

lardo cured crispy polenta, pork back fat, chestnut honey, pink peppercorn 

farinata chickpea flower, garda olive oil, cracked pepper

G.D. Vajra NV Metodo Classico Rose`, “N.S. Della Neve” 

FIRST COURSE

pisarei e fasö house-made bread dumplings, borlotti beans, cured pork, reggiano

G.D. Vajra 2014 Langhe DOC, Riesling “Petracine” 

G.D. Vajra 2013 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC “Coste e Fossati” 

ENTRÉE

guanciola wood oven braised beef cheek, polenta taragna, foraged mushrooms

G.D. Vajra 2011 Barbera Superiore 

G.D. Vajra 2011 Barolo, Cru Bricco delle Viole DOCG

DESSERT 

assorted dessert platter

G.D. Vajra 2015 Moscato d'Asti DOCG 

$150 tax and tip included

1331 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

officinebrera.com

(213) 553-8006

Thursday, September 15th

7 pm to 10 pm

Call for reservations!

Tooling around the Langhe on a scooter on one of our last days in Italy . . .

Checking out Luigi Baudana for the first time  . . . 

Grapes, they are a coming, in the Baudana vineyard

The Castello di Serralunga in Serralunga

Looking over the Langhe

New G.D. Vajra wines . . . .

Rose` from Vajra?  Sure . . . Rosabella!

2015 Luigi Baudana Langhe Bianco

2015 G.D. Vajra Langhe Riesling

Should I do the Langhe Rosso?

2015 G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba

2014 G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba Coste e Fossati - built to last

2013 G.D. Vajra Barbera Superiore 

2014 G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo

2012 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe - This is special.

2012 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 

2012 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole - always my favorite

2012 Luigi Baudana Barolo Serralunga

2012 Luigi Baudana Cru Cerretta - new label 

2012 Luigi Baudana Cru Baudana

2012 G.D. Vajra Langhe Freisa - I have this now and it is great.

2015 G.D. Vajra Moscato

Barolo dinner at Terroni with Giuseppe Vaira

BAROLO and TRUFFLES... a match made in heaven!   The Terroni Winemaker Dinner Series continues with:   BAROLO winery G.D. VAJRA   - 5 course menu - *5 wine parings included*     Thursday November 5th, 7pm Terroni Beverly - 7605 Beverly Blvd     Barolo is arguably the most important red wine of northern Italy. These are some of the longest aging and most complex wines in the country. However, there are other important grapes to be discovered here, including the ancient indigenous FREISA that the Vajra family helped put on the map.   Join us and the charismatic Giuseppe Vajra to learn -and taste- more. MENU   - Crochette di Baccala - salt cod croquette - Tortino di Spinaci - traditional Piemontese spinach flan, Parmigiano Reggiano - Agnolotti del Plin - house made pasta filled with veal, black truffle shavings - Brasato al Barolo - braised beef short rib slow-cooked with roasted baby vegetables - Salame Dolce di Ciocolato - bittersweet chocolate, hazelnuts, zabaione sauce     Hosted by: Chef Antonio Giordano Sommelier David Alfano   $95 per person plus tax and gratuity     RSVP: davefano7@gmail.com - seating is limited -

And the new container has arrived . . .

Praesidium Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2010

Vettori Valdobbiadene Prosecco Brut

Masiero Verdugo 2011 (100% Merlot from the Veneto)

G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 2011

G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba 2012

G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba 2014

G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2011

Tre Monti Petrignone Sangiovese Riserva 2011

Love the new package!

Tells you everything you need to know.

Favaro Rosacherosanonsei Rosato of Nebbiolo 2014

Cirelli Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2014

G.D. Vajra Barolo Chinato

Vettori Valdobbiadene Prosecco Extra-Dry

Tre Monti Thea Sangiovese Riserva Superiore 2011


And that is just the beginning.

The next generation

Little Aldo and big Giuseppe.

Slow Wine San Francisco . . . good fun was had by all . . .

A whole bunch of wines from my portfolio were selected for the Slow Wine guide this year but it is pretty expensive for the smaller producers to make it over this way and to NY etc so usually it is just G.D. Vajra that decides to make it.  And frankly, it is better for me to just have one of my guys here as it would get really complicated otherwise.  But maybe next year I will have them all come over and we can put them all on one side of the room and see how that works out.  In the meantime, here below are some pictures from before the tasting.

Bringing out the big map!

You are not funny, Justin!

Slow Wine likes G.D. Vajra

2013 Dolcetto Coste e Fossati

2010 Barolo Ravera - first vintage and sold out!

2010 Luigi Baudana "Cerretta" tastes really expensive.