This dinner was organized by Mannie Berk of The Rare Wine Co in Sonoma, CA. Here is the email announcing this dinner:
Unprecedented Tasting of Rare Produttori Barbaresco Crus
January 14, 2009, New York CityWine lovers everywhere know that the greatest sources of Nebbiolo are Barolo and Barbaresco. But what is not widely known is that the two areas, though only a few miles apart, took completely different paths to fame.
For nearly a century, Barolo has been known to connoisseurs throughout Europe and even in America. But until the 1990s, Barbaresco was little-appreciated outside Piedmont and central Europe. Wider fame awaited the rise of Angelo Gaja and Bruno Giacosa, and the great commercial success of the 1989 and 1990 vintages, which, together, informed the world of Barbaresco's magic.
But what of the period before then, when such great vineyards as Asili, Rabaja, Montestefano and Montefico were already long established, and farmed by old families with names like di Gresy, Rocca, Vacca and Rivella?
Much of the production was sold to Gaja, Giacosa or merchant houses in Barolo, and few growers had the means to make and bottle their own wine. Instead the growers banded together and made and marketed their wines communally as the Produttori del Barbaresco.
The old Produttori bottlings constitute the history of this glorious area. But what are particularly important are the "Cru" Riservas made in outstanding vintages. Representing the greatest vineyards, the Produttori riservas not only represent the essence of the individual terroirs, they chronicle the great Barbaresco vintages of the past few decades.
The Tasting
On January 14th, the Produttori's managing director Aldo Vacca will lead Rare Wine Co. customers through an unprecedented tasting of classic Produttori Cru Riservas. With Aldo (whose family has been growers in Barbaresco for generations), we will explore five of the greatest vintages of the past thirty years: 1978, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1996. Altogether 20 cru riservas from these five vintages (including five 1978s!) will be tasted. The crus will represent all nine of the Produttori crus, including, of course, Asili, Rabaja and Montestefano.
The venue will be the extraordinary Convivio, the latest achievement of Chris Cannon of Alto and L'Impero fame. Opened just this summer, Convivio is in the old L'Impero space and has won raves for the inspired cuisine of chef Michael White (who also ran the show at L'Impero). Michael will prepare five courses with which to pair this astonishing line-up of Produttori wines.
Seating is limited. The cost per person for the event (including dinner, wine, sales tax and gratuity) is a very modest $295. For reservations, call or email The Rare Wine Co. ( 800) 999-4342 or sales@rarewineco.com. Payment in full by credit card required to secure.
Wednesday, January 14th, 6:30 pm
Convivio
45 Tudor City Place at 42nd St.
New York, NY 10017
212-599-5045THE RARE WINE CO.
www.rarewineco.com
phone: (800) 999-4342
fax: (800) 893-1501
email: sales@rarewineco.com
All original content © Ken Vastola