Valter Scarbolo is one of the best dudes in the business. He took me in for a week last year, fed me from his restaurant La Frasca (where he also let me bartend despite my unstable Italian), and showed me a lot about the life of a Friulian winemaking family. Valter has been an inspiration to American characters like Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey (who named his Boulder, CO restaurant after Valter’s joint) and California guy Steve Clifton (of Brewer-Clifton and Palmina) mostly because he treats the world like his ever-expanding family. It’s a family you should likewise join (as an aside: although I’m not usually one to quote scores, Valter’s wines just made out very well in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Both Ramato and Refosco scored 91, and Campo del Viotto and My Time each scored 92). --ESS Wine Director Steven Grubbs
Here’s to celebrating St. Patty’s Day with a really nice Italian guy, a chef from Pennsylvania, a sous from Jersey, some wine guy from the Ga. ‘burbs and a weird Canadian with one eyebrow.
To start: a tasting of Valter’s Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet -- Hugh
Scarbolo wine dinner with Valter Scarbolo
6:30 p.m.
$95 per person plus tax and gratuity
1.
seared razor clams with arugula, smoked paprika vinaigrette, fried herbs,
chorizo and pickled sunchokes,
pinot grigio, Scarbolo, ‘Ramato XL’, Friuli, Italy, 2008
2.
monkfish with pepperonata, bacon and farro
Bianco, Scarbolo, ‘My Time’, Friuli, Italy, 2007
3.
roasted pheasant breast over ravioli of thigh, leek soubise and spring vegetables
merlot, Scarbolo, Friuli, Italy, 2008
merlot, Scarbolo, ‘Campo del Viotto’, Friuli, Italy, 2007
4.
dekle steak with tiny roasted potatoes, baby Nantes carrots, herbs and olive oil
refosco, Scarbolo, Friuli, Italy, 2006
5.
almond napoleon with housemade limoncello
Please call ESS at 404-541-1105 for reservations.
Seating is limited.
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