Fifty people joined us last Friday evening for the Quantum Theatre production of “Madagascar” – One of Quantum Theatre’s unique features is that every production is produced in a new space, almost never a traditional theatre space. And since “Madagascar” is a play set in a Roman hotel room overlooking the Spanish Steps, the fantastic century-old, marble-lined bank lobby of the Carlyle Building was chosen for this production. In keeping with Quantum’s multi-setting approach, our Grapenuts pre-show tasting turned into a tasting AND tour of several century old bank buildings along Pittsburgh’s Fourth Avenue. Despite the single digit wind-chills, our hearty Grapenuts Group enjoyed checking out the old buildings while tasting wines related to the show. Logically, we imagine guests of a beautiful, marble-lined hotel in Rome would be served Italian Wines, so here is what we tasted:
Wine Number One Veuve d’Argent Brut NV – a French Sparkling Wine created from blending two grapes: Chenin Blanc and Ugni Blanc. The Ugni Blanc grape is common in France for both still and sparkling wines, as well as for providing the main component of Cognac. Known in Italy as Trebbiano, which is likely the more well-known name, combined with the fact that this Brut is created using the tank method for secondary fermentation (just like most Proseccos), we had our Italian connection…. (PLCB Code: 32861 Veuve d’Argent Brut NV $10.99)
Wine Number Two Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2010 – As the name implies, a ‘classic’ Italian red, made from predominantly Sangiovese grapes in the Tuscan region of Italy (north of Rome). Intense cherry and tobacco flavors dominated this tightly-knit medium bodied red. An obvious match for heavy red sauces common to central and southern Italy, an hour or two open before drinking might soften this one a bit – a serious wine and very tasty! (PLCB Code: 32941 Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2010 $12.99)
Wine Number Three – Secoli Ripasso della Valpolicella 2011 – Northern Italy has several famous wine making areas. In the Valpoicella region Ripasso is a popular style from the central northern region of Verona (not far from Milan). Ripasso reds slot between the inexpensive and easy-drinking standard Valpolicella reds on the bottom, the Ripasso in the middle, and the rich, expensive Amarone reds on the top. The principal red grapes of Valpolicella are Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara and a portion of these are dried to reduce moisture before pressing, thus producing thicker heavier juice for fermentation of this Ripasso. This wine was popular with the Quantum attendees, possibly due to its rich, silky mouth feel and new-world style fruit forward drinkability. (PLCB Code: 33197 Secoli Ripasso della Valpolicella 2011 $13.99)
Jack Brice Wine 