European Wine Lists

European Wine Lists
Episode #113

Karen MacNeil is joined by Savvy Traveller Rudy Maxa, host of public television’s Smart Travels — Europe With Rudy Maxa, on a tour of three European restaurants: Spanish, Italian and French. Along the way, they sample the fare, pair each country's most flavorful wines with national dishes and show you the best ways to navigate each country's wine lists.

	Manzanilla Sherry Color: White Taste: crisp, bone dry and tangy with almost a sea spray character Geography: the south of Spain Memory Cue: Dramatic – as the snap of a bullfighter’s cape
	Rioja Color: Red Taste: Complex, rich and earthy with notes of dried leaves Geography: Northeastern Spain Memory Cue: As beautiful as a walk in the forest on an autumn day
	Barolo Color: Dark Red Taste: Majestic structure and aromas and flavors that seem like rich black earth, black licorice and violets. Geography: The Piedmont region of northwestern Italy Memory Cue: Luciano Pavarotti
	Sancerre Color: White Taste: Super crisp and clean and has a faint meadowy character Geography: The Loire Valley in central France Memory Cue: As bracing and fresh as a mountain stream
	Côtes-du-Rhône Color: Red Taste: Soft earthy, berry flavors with notes of cocoa Geography: Rhone Valley of southern France Memory Cue: Like the guy next door: handsome, dependable and fun to be with

When confronted by a thick wine list – don’t panic.
Try wines by the glass. It’s an exciting way to get to know different varieties.
Don’t worry about vintages. Even in an off year, every wine is interesting for a different reason.
Order the second least expensive wine on the list. Frequently, it is a special wine chosen by the owner or chef.
Use your wine steward. The wine steward can be your guide on a tasting journey through European wine lists.

Trofie Al Pesto (Hand Rolled Pasta Made with Chestnut Flour Served in a Traditional Basil Pesto with Potato and Green Beans)
Filetto di Bue Alla Salsa D’olive Nere (Roasted Filet of Beef with Black Olive Sauce)

SIP TIP: Buying Wine

Buying a wine for dinner might not be one of life’s easier tasks. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. The fact is, even a small wine store can have hundreds of bottles and a large wine store can have thousands. So how do you get comfortable in a wine store? Three easy ways. First, choose a wine store where you feel really comfortable. Forget those places that are stuffy and make you feel like a dunce. Choose a wine shop where you can browse around and ask simple questions. Second, stay in one section of the store for six months or so. Get to know the types of wines in that section really well before you move on. It doesn’t matter if it’s Bordeaux, Zinfandel, or Australian reds. Finally, let food help you. If you’re making a spicy chicken dish, take that recipe with you. Find the clerk in the store who knows the most about food and ask for recommendations. You’ll be in for a really great bottle. Wine shops are truly a lot of fun. So go out there and enjoy them.

Rudy Maxa
http://www.rudymaxa.com

Taberna Del Alabardero
http://www.alabardero.com

Gallileo
http://www.galileodc.com

La Ferme
http://www.lafermerestaurant.com

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European Wine Lists Episode #113

European Wine Lists
Episode #113