Favorite Wine Stores in NYC

Astor Wines
Astor wines has a large selection, and you can find both Cavallotto and Vietti. What I like about Astor Wines is they don't just have the Barolo's, they have Barbera and Dolcetto, and also inexpensive white wine.  Check out their website here.

Moore Brother's Wine Company
Discovered completely by accident, this wonderful wine store is located right next to La Pizza Fresca. To my delight, I found Ettore Germano's wines there! Dolcetto, Barbera, Langhe Nebbiolo, Barolo and his Langhe Chardonnay! I did not see his Herzu, which is my favorite, but I am still impressed! Learn about their impressive efforts to bring great wine to the US here.

Flatiron Wines
This store is small, yet has a great selection. Their burgundy sections is great, along with their Piemonte section. The staff is helpful and friendly, and the prices are pretty good. Definately a go to when in New York. Check out their website.

Chamber Street
Although I have never actually been here myself, I know this is one for the books. At Chamber Street you can find old gems at a decent price, and from what I hear, the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. It's on my "Barrel list" for sure! You can find more information on their website.

Lupa Osteria Romana

If you are ever in NYC, check out Lupa in Greenwich Village on Thompson street. 
Lupa is one of Mario Batali's restaurants, one tier above Otto and one tier below Babbo.Mr. Batali openened Lupa in 1999 with Joseph Bastianich, Mark Ladner and Jason Denton.

Just make sure you book a table, they fill up quickly. You can drop by, they have a few tables available for walk-ins, but reservations are recommended.  

The food, mainly Roman, is superb, wine list wonderful and staff exceptional. You can look at their Wine List.

I have been going to Lupa for years, and will keep going. My usual dinner consists of assorted meats for an antipasti, Bucatini al'amatriciana as a main course, and cheese for dessert. I usually also go for the Ettore Germano Herzu, one of my favorites. 

Check out their website here.  

 Cheers!

DIY Gift: Cork Key Chain

When visiting someone, I try to bring something. This time, I brought Key Chains for everybody. Easy and simple, yet a nice gesture. You can see how to make them here.

Mangé

 Mangé is a new restaurant in La Morra. The owners used to have a restaurant in Casteglione Falletto, Le Torri, but they moved. The food is excellent, the wine list is fantastic and the people are wonderful. 

For lunch we had a Ettore Germano Herzu and Mauro Veglio Langhe Nebbiolo. The wine is so cheap compared to Norway, so we are all in heaven. 

We will definitely go back here. In fact, we are having dinner there tomorrow night!

Welcome to Lago di Como

Ettore 'Sergio' Germano

Ettore 'Sergio' Germano produces wine in Serralunga D'Alba in Piemonte, Italy. At a tasting this summer, I had the pleasure of tasting both his reds and his whites. My personal favorite was the Herzu riesling, a refreshing white wine that is a recurring one in Cantina Granveien, also know as my home. I don't have much experience with his reds, but from what I can remember, they were quite good. I met Sergio for the first time this summer, and will be sure to return again soon.

Sergio Germano, current producer of Ettore Germano

Summer 2014

The calendar is filling up, mostly with wine visits. Earlier, Italy has been the only place on the agenda, but this year I am expanding my horizons, and the adventure continues in France. The whole family is renting an apartment in Beaune, allowing me to experience wine there as well. 

I believe we are visiting Louis-Michel Liger-Belair, and attempting to visit a few others. One of my favorites, Matrot, is high on my list of wineries to visit. 

foto: piemontegirl

elio altare, summer 2012

And, of course, Piemonte is on the agenda. As previous years, Altare is first on the list. Bartolo Mascarello, Vietti, Cavallotto and Ettore Germano are also on the schedule. We are trying to add some new wineries to the list, since we rarely visit new ones, but I love seeing old friends again. 

With the vacation fast approaching, the excitement is growing and growing. I can't wait!!