On October 25th we had Egle Capilupi and Federico Armani from the Veneto producer Albino Armani visiting Sweden.
Daniel Eriksson had arranged a winemakers dinner featuring their wines at Brezza, a local Italian restaurant in Uppsala. The proprietor of the restaurant, Mats Ekizean, is a big fan of Veneto wines in general and Albino Armani in particular. The fifteen customers that attended the event where greeted with a glass of 2020 Campo Napoleone Sauvignon Blanc meant to keep them well hydrated through the initial presentation of the winery.
With the first course, a veal tartar, 2020 Colle Ara Pinot Grigio and 2019 Valpolicella Ripasso. Both pairings where interesting since the Pinot Grigio is a quite full-bodied style and the house style of reds is light and fresh due to the high elevation of their vineyards.
The main course of venison with carrot puré and a rich red wine sauce was accompanied by their 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella and the top wine from the producer, 2016 Cuslanus Amarone della Valpolicella. Both were excellent companions to the dish but Cuslanus stood a head above its sibling with impressive balance and concentration that completely masked the 16 degrees (sic!) of alcohol in the wine.
The dessert was a chocolate fondant with a caramel sauce and raspberry coulis to which was served the 2020 Recioto della Valpolicella.