Sforzata/Valtellina lesson

[Botafogo]

Joey, the Balgera stuff is as old school as Robert Johnson dueting with Satchmo and they are more like Burgundy in texture and aromas and should be served accordingly. The Fay Ronco del Picchio was described thusly in our newsletter:

Fay Sforzato di Valtellina Ronco del Picchio 2001, Lombardia
Direct from The Ridge of the Woodpecker (gotta love that name) comes this intense distillation of the essence of the Valtellina: aromas of cherry and plums preserved in brandy, a whiff of Bresaolo (the famous air dried beef of the zona) and the perfume of wild roses float over deep red and black fruits and a hint of smoke on the palate, all solidly grounded in the soil of the terraced vineyards painstakingly built up the steep sides of the mountains of the zona. A HUGE hit at our Il Forno tastings this fall, this is also riding high on the Euro Crit Hit Parade and is a testament to the future superstardom of young winemaker Marco Fay.

The best lesson will be openning them with some good food and a friend or two...Roberto