Lunch!

On Thursday just gone my colleague Burdhound and I took Jemma who has worked with us without complaint for some time now but has finally had enough (not really she is going travelling), for lunch and yes of course it had to be Zucca. Starting with a glass of Franciacorta which I becoming a big fan of. We than had a red and a white, both proved worthy of comment:

Nova Domus 2009 Riserva, Terlano - This is an unusual blend of about 60% Pinot Bianco, 25% Chardonnay & 15% Sauvignon Blanc, it works though, enough freshness but also an ever so slightly off dry feel and a good weight, went really well with the normal assortment of starters...I am thinking Italy makes a far better range and quality of whites than I previously thought so give some a whirl and no list is better than Zucca's.

Then onto the main course, veal chop for me, probably had more that ten of these by now, quality is so consistently great! To drink? Barbaresco 1982, Roagna - This was seriously good and when you consider it is not from a Cru and from a good but not exceptional vintage even more so. Having said that about the vintage I have had several 1982 Baroli and Barbaresci  that have impressed with a great deal of elegance and fruit if not depth. This was in exactly that style, red fruit and a lovely backbone, gave way to a more savoury texture and saline quality, shows what this great estate can do!