Sweet and Sour Spectator

Getting started

• N.V. Ruggeri Prosecco di Valdobbiadene - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
  Nice mousse of really tiny bubbles that turn to cream in the mouth. Slightly sweet, noticeable yeast on the nose, low acidity, pleasant and refreshing. (88 pts.)

The lightest reds

Antipastas

• 2003 Corte Gardoni Bardolino Le Fontane - Italy, Veneto, Bardolino
  A bit of bubblegum on the nose. Light body with sweet candied fruit, low acid, and no tannins to speak of. An easy drinking quaffer. (86 pts.)
• 2002 Allegrini Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella Classico
  Good fruity palate with a nice backbone of soft tannin. Well balanced, no discernible residual sugar. Nice finish. Goes down easy. (87 pts.)

Medium Reds

The pasta course

• 1999 Le Salette Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ca' Carnocchio - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore
  Nose shows some reductive products from sulfur compounds which blew off and got better over time. Palate shows a bit of sweetness, with soft tannins. A friendly wine that doesn't make any demands. (87 pts.)
• 1998 Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese IGT - Italy, Veneto, IGT
  Nose shows licorice and wet stones along with black fruits. On the palate there are soft and friendly tannins and a medium body with a nice finish. Tastes like an Italian pinot noir. Very good. (90 pts.)
• 1995 Allegrini La Grola Veronese IGT - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
  Leather on nose. Soft tannins with good bright acidity and good fruitiness. Long finish. (89 pts.)

Amarone Big Boys

Served with some lamb, steak and veal.

• 1997 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  Deep, opaque red color. Nose shows tar and spices. Low acidity, rich and lush with raisins, spice, brown sugar and chocolate. Very ripe with a long finish. A delicious wine that will last a long time and will reward patience. (91 pts.)
• 1990 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
  Redish color lightening a bit at the rim. A fresh and youthful wine with great balance and structure showing sweet fruit and good acidity. Long raisiny finish lingers for a minute. Just incredible how fresh and balanced this wine is. Super stuff. WOTN (92 pts.)

Dessert

• 2001 Allegrini Recioto della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
  Very sweet and port-like showing tastes of chocolate with good tannic backbone and nice balancing acidity. A quality dessert wine. (91 pts.)

Every wine was good, and the 1990 Amarone was great. Stylistically, Corvina seems to be a bit more serious Italian version Gamay (though I have to admit that I've never heard of anyone making something like Amarone in Beaujolias). It is an easy drinking and food-friendly wine. We tried about 10 different things from Bacco's menu and found everything to be of high quality. We didn't break up until almost 11:00, so it seems we had a good time! If only studying could always be this much fun.