Dessilani Spanna Riserva

Attributes:
Producer:

Dessilani
Region:

Colline Novaresi, Italy
Varietal:

Nebbiolo
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 84
Acidity:

zesty
Body:

medium-bodied

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 88
Body:

medium- to full-bodied
Complexity:

complex
Flavors:

cedar, flowers, plum

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 87
Acidity:

fresh
Body:

medium-bodied
Flavors:

licorice, plum

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 84
Acidity:

bright
Body:

medium-bodied
Flavors:

cedar, grapey

1997: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Body:

light
Compliments:

pleasant
Flavors:

berry, dried cherry

1990: WineSpectator Rating: 79
Complexity:

rustic
Flavors:

earthy, peppery
Fruit:

fruity

1990: WineAdvocate Rating: 86
Body:

medium-bodied
Complexity:

rich
Compliments:

delicious
Flavors:

spices

1988: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Acidity:

crisp, lively
Flavors:

cherry, cranberry

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese, Parmesan
Fish or Shellfish: Salmon / Trout, Bluefish and Mackerel
Pasta & Grains: (Grilled) Tofu, Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauces, Pasta with Meat & Tomato Sauce, Polenta, Squash or Pumpkin Ravioli
Poultry & Eggs: Duck Confit, Game Birds, Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Ham, Hamburgers, Lamb Shish Kabobs, Pork Chops, Pork w/Fruit Sauce, Salami, Salami or Sausage, Sausage, Variety Meats or Organ Meats, Veal Scaloppini, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Bagna Cauda, Red Wine Sauce, Tomato Sauce
Vegetables: Arugula (Bitter Lettuce), Beets, Cabbage, Eggplant, Fennel, Grilled Vegetables, Mediterranean, Grilled, Onions, Leeks, Peppers, Radishes, Shallots, Tomato, Vegetable Gratin or Stew, Wild Mushroom Strudel, Wild Mushrooms

Nebbiolo:

This noble variety from Italy is used primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco, two Piedmontese wines. It is a powerful, lusty grape, high in both tannin and acidity but balanced by an ample alcoholic content. Its color can be deep when the wine is young, but orangey tinges can develop within a few years. Its complex aroma is fruity, earthy, woodsy, herbal and floral.

Glass Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Attributes:
Producer:

Glass Mountain
Region:

California, United States
Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2001: Tastings Rating: 85
Body:

medium-bodied
Flavors:

black currant, clove, herb, herbal

2001: NatDecants Rating: 89
Body:

full-bodied

1996: WineSpectator Rating: 84
Acidity:

soft
Body:

light

1993: Tastings Rating: 82
Flavors:

cherries, oak, smoke, smoky, spice

1992: WineSpectator Rating: 84
Body:

light
Complexity:

straightforward, supple

1992: Tastings Rating: 86
Body:

medium body
Complexity:

straightforward
Compliments:

tasty
Flavors:

berry, spice

1990: WineSpectator Rating: 84
Complexity:

supple
Flavors:

currant, herb, red plum

1988: WineSpectator Rating: 85
Acidity:

crisp
Body:

lean
Compliments:

pleasant, tasty

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese, Brie, Provolone
Fish or Shellfish: Sea Bass
Herbs & Spices: Basil, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme
Poultry & Eggs: Game Birds
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Game, Kidney, Roast Beef, Sausage, Variety Meats or Organ Meats, Veal Carpaccio
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Potatoes, Roasted Mixed Vegetables

Cabernet Sauvignon:

(cab er nay saw vee nyon)—This highly adaptable grape grows almost anywhere it is relatively warm, but the best wines come from the Burgundy region of France (where it is a noble variety), California, and Australia. It became famous through the red wines of the Médoc district of Bordeaux and is now grown in Washington, southern France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes make wines that are high in tannin and medium- to full-bodied. Usually identified as having black currant or cassis flavors, the grape can also possess vegetal tones when the grapes are less than ideally ripe. The best wines are rich and firm with great depth, and are often aged for fifteen years or more. Because it is highly tannic, Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with other less-tannic grapes such as Merlot.


California:

California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.

Giacomo Grimaldi 'Sotto Castello di Novello' Barolo

Attributes:
Producer:

Giacomo Grimaldi
Region:

Barolo, Italy
Varietal:

Nebbiolo
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: Tanzer Rating: 88(+?)?
Flavors:

cedar, chocolate, currant, medicinal, menthol, oak, spices

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 92
Flavors:

spices, toasted oak
Fruit:

fairly intense

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 88
Aromas:

floral
Body:

medium- to full-bodied
Flavors:

cherry, strawberry, vanilla

2003: Tanzer Rating: 88(+?)?

2003: WineAdvocate Rating: 88
Flavors:

cherries, flowers, spices
Fruit:

sweet

2001: Tanzer Rating: 88
Complexity:

rich
Flavors:

coffee, nutty, oak
Fruit:

concentrated, sweet

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 94
Body:

full-bodied
Flavors:

berry, plum, ripe fruit, toasted oak

2001: WineAdvocate Rating: 88

Food Matches:
Cheese: Blue Cheese, Parmesan
Fish or Shellfish: Salmon / Trout, Bluefish and Mackerel
Pasta & Grains: (Grilled) Tofu, Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauces, Pasta with Meat & Tomato Sauce, Polenta, Squash or Pumpkin Ravioli
Poultry & Eggs: Duck Confit, Game Birds, Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Ham, Hamburgers, Lamb Shish Kabobs, Pork Chops, Pork w/Fruit Sauce, Salami, Salami or Sausage, Sausage, Variety Meats or Organ Meats, Veal Scaloppini, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Bagna Cauda, Red Wine Sauce, Tomato Sauce
Vegetables: Arugula (Bitter Lettuce), Beets, Cabbage, Eggplant, Fennel, Grilled Vegetables, Mediterranean, Grilled, Onions, Leeks, Peppers, Radishes, Shallots, Tomato, Vegetable Gratin or Stew, Wild Mushroom Strudel, Wild Mushrooms

Barolo:

Considered the king of Italian wines, Barolo is made from the Nebbiolo grape in the Piedmont region of Italy. Full bodied, high in tannic, acidity, and alcohol, their aromas suggest tar, violets, roses, strawberries, even truffles. Very similar to, if a little more full-bodied than, Barbaresco. Barolos need to be aged for at least three years in the winery (five years if it is a Reserva), but benefits from additional aging. More recent vintages are fruitier in flavor, often a bit oaky, and may be ready to drink as soon as two to five years after release.


Nebbiolo:

This noble variety from Italy is used primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco, two Piedmontese wines. It is a powerful, lusty grape, high in both tannin and acidity but balanced by an ample alcoholic content. Its color can be deep when the wine is young, but orangey tinges can develop within a few years. Its complex aroma is fruity, earthy, woodsy, herbal and floral.

Spinach Salad with Cheese

Rated

Ingredients

2 pkgs. fresh spinach, washed and broken into bite-sized pieces
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 cup water chestnuts, sliced
2 chopped hard-boiled eggs
1 small onion, sliced
8 oz. Swiss cheese, cubed
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup safflower or vegetable oil
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2-1/2 tbsp catsup

Preparation

1. Combine vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan and heat until sugar melts. Add all remaining dressing ingredients and mix well.

2. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl; toss with salad dressing and serve immediately. Garnish with croutons if desired.

Yield

4 servings

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is provided as a resource. Values will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Size: 1
Number of Servings: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 488 Calories from Fat: 268
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*  
Total Fat 29.83g
45%  
Carbohydrates 40.22g
13%  
Dietary Fiber 2.74g
10%  
Saturated Fat 10.98g
54%  
Calories 488.41kcal
24%  
Cholesterol 52.16mg
17%  
Protein 18.22g
30%  
Sodium 355.34mg
14%  
Calcium
9%  
Iron
1%  
Vitamin A
11%  
Vitamin C
8%  
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.