Dinner - Zeppolis (Italy)

Every other Wednesday, Zeppoli's hosts wine tastings which typically includes 10-12 wines paired with a light dinner. Last Wednesday (February 28th) my friend and I attended "An Italian Journey with Jim Hutton." This was different from their typical wine tastings, serving only eight but more expensive wines and small plates for $24. Jim Hutton is from Vias Imports in Alexandria, VA.

Zeppoli's outside shot

Inside Zeppoli's wine bar with the wine server.

Here are the eight wines we tasted, from left to right in the order they were served. We started out with the whites: Prosecco, Cortese, then Greco Di Turfo. Followed by the reds in order: Nero D'Avola Terre Siciliane, Nebbiolo, Rubiolo Chianti, and then Brunello Di Montalcino. We finished up with a delicious dessert Moscato. 

The first wine we tasted was Le Dolci Colline Prosecco Brut, a non-vintage wine from Veneto, Italy. This wine has an abv of 11.5% that is very acidic and citrus-like. It was very fresh and crisp, with hints of apple and freshly cut grass or hay. It was paired with a lemon-garlic muscle, that brought out the fresh clean taste in the wine with the citrusy lemon. 

Here is my friend and our second pairing: a 2015 Castelvero Piemonte Cortese accompanied by cantaloupe topped with mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. The wine was more tart than the other white and very fruity. It was very refreshing and when paired with the fruit it was an excellent light starter. The tanginess in the wine was nicely balanced out by the creamy mozzarella and sweet cantaloupe, the acidic balsamic brought it all together for an explosive flavor blend!

The third pairing: Terredora di Paolo Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra 2015 with a crostini topped with marinated mushrooms a creamy marsala sauce. This wine was very aromatic, with a very fruity taste--specifically apricot and citrus. It was very acidic and my favorite of the whites. The mushroom crostini brought out the herbs in both the dish and the wine. 

Fourth pairing: Purato Nero D'Avola Terre Siciliane 2015 with salmon topped with a spinach spread and grilled artichokes. The wine itself I thought had hints of cherry, almost a limestone taste--very spicy and slightly tannic. The buttery salmon paired very nicely with the lighter red. This red was medium-bodied that complimented the rich salmon. 










Fifth pairing: Damilano Marghe Nebbiolo Langhe 2013, a wine from Piedmont, Italy, paired with a buttery eggplant parmesan. The Nebbiolo smelled of dark berry with herb and branch aromas. When I tasted it I had an overpowering taste of fresh flowers, almost like an epiphany wine. I felt like I could almost taste a freshly picked flower, specifically rose with an almost chemical hint. The eggplant really brought out the floral taste that was very complimentary of the wine. 

Sixth pairing: Gagliole Rubiolo Chianti Classico 2013, from Tuscany, Italy paired with a delicious pesto manicotti shell. The Chianti smelled heavily of dark berries, and tasted like dark blackberry and cherry with a spicy, leathery finish. Paired with the rich manicotti and vibrant pesto enhanced the spices in the wine, resulting in an explosion of flavor. 

Seventh pairing: Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino 2011, from Tuscany, Italy paired with Italian sausage and feta crostini sandwich. This was my absolute favorite pairing, both the food and the wine were amazing. The wine had a matured fruit smell and fresh flowers. It tasted of ripened cherry and plum with hints of cinnamon and clove spice. The meaty, melt-in-your-mouth sausage and creamy warm feta blended together with the wine creating a cozy Italian party! The crusty crostini sandwich brought out a velvety taste to the wine that I completely loved. I don't typically like sausage but I would come back again for this combo (minus the $65 wine cost though). 

Final pairing: Marenco Strev Moscato d'Asti 2015, from Piedmont, Italy paired with a banana french toast cake topped with creamed cheese and fresh strawberry and banana. The Moscato smelled fragrantly of sweet citrus fruit with bright herb. The taste was a magnificent blend of apricot, peach, and lemony herb with an exotic citrus finish. This was the most amazing way to finish a meal. The warm french toast dessert was absolutely mouth watering and the moscato offered a sweet-refreshing finish.





I had the most amazing experience at Zeppolis and would like to return for their normal menu. The food was absolutely delicious and paired perfectly with the wines chosen. Can't wait for my next visit here!