Toasting to a lovely wine dinner at the Italian Market

Italian Wines for your Thanksgiving and Christmas feast? ABSOLUTELY!
Andrea, Maria Pia, and Viviana of 100 % Italiano Wines featured four of their Italian Wines
paired with delicious foods at Cafe Coco’s Italian Market.

I like this!

Chuck Cinelli owner of Cafe Coco's Italian Market

Thank you, Chuck, for this lovely, warm and authentic Italian Restaurant. I encourage
anyone in the Nashville area to experience the feel of being in Italy casually dining at
a charming restaurant owned and operated by the family. And, if you are visiting Nashville,
this will surely be a treat for you and your family.

Cafe Coco's Italian Market Nashville,TN

Bruschetta with Giant White Beans,Peppadew,Feta and Proscuitto di Parma

Teroldego Azienda Agricola Pisoni (biodynamic) Red Italian Wine

Agricola Pisoni is an elegant and earthy red wine from Trentino, Italy and is made from 100 % Teroldego grape which only grows in this region. This thick-skinned grape imparts a deep, intense color, slightly tannic, dry and smooth with dark berry and cherry aromas. This wine would pair perfectly with many side dishes and meats served at the holidays as well with
the rustic bruschetta with the creamy giant white beans, sweet and salty peppadews and feta.
And, this wine is produced biodynamically, purely organic which makes it even more
appealing for your dining experience.

Maria Pia and Viviana of 100% Italiano Wines

Sweet Potato Gnocchi sauteed in brown butter, sage,caramelized onions & red peppers

Lugana Pilandro Italian white wine

The Lugana Pilandro crisp, white wine from the Veneto region of Italy was a delight!
This is one of Andrea’s favorite wines and I know why. The fruity and floral Trebbiano di Lugana grape gives us this refreshing white wine with a slightly creamy texture on the tongue. The buttery pillows of the sweet potato Gnocchi were a perfect match to
the creamy texture of the Pilandro. This too, has become one my favorite wines and will
be included in my holiday feast as well as a casual bistro-style dinner at my home on Saturday night.

Panettone

Panettone is the traditional Italian sweet, fruit-filled dessert bread traditionally served at Christmas time in Italy. This was served with Recioto della Valpolicella from Veneto, Italy.
Its rich, concentrated sweetness with intense dark berry and raisiny flavors is produced from
the grapes Corina, Molinara and Rondinella that were dried on straw mats under the hot Italian sun to concentrate their flavors. Then, they are pressed into an elegant wine often used as a dessert wine. This wine would definitely be a perfect match for chocolate, minced meat and pumpkin pies topped with thick, rich whipped cream. Get a bottle of this to serve with your holiday desserts!

Recioto della Valpolicella

Andrea Danti (left) and a lovely wine dinner guest enjoying the Bruschetta

Tre di Terre Verdiane Ceci Sparkling Italian Wine

Sparkling wine for everyday meals? Of Course! Tre di terre verdiane Cantine Ceci, a straw-colored spumanti or sparkling wine from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy should be enjoyed with appetizers such as salty olives, cheeses and meats such as the antipasto platter
Ceci also pairs well with fried foods, spicy Indian foods as well as pasta and seafood dishes. The aromas of apples, pears, pineapple and bananas are well- balanced with the slightly sweet and bubbly finish. Everyday is a celebration and Italian Sparkling Wines
should be enjoyed anytime!

Antipasto Platter of hot copa, buffalo mozzarella, salami milano,buttermilk bleu

These lovely boutique Italian wines are unique, earthy and delicious. Expand your wine
palate by trying these fun wines.

100 % Italiano Wines can be found throughout the Nashville area’s Wine Shops including
Grand Cru on Murphy Road and J Barleycorn Wine Shop on Harding Place.

Delerium Wines

Stan Dibin with Delirium Wine & Spirits sampling the wine Marina Alta Alicante (Spain.) This was one of many lovely wines that were available for the tasting. 100 % Italiano Wines were featured as well and Andrea Danti the manager suggested that I try his favorite Azienda Agricola Pilandro Lugana Trebbiano.

Andrea - 100% Italiano Wines

The Pilandro Lugana has become my favorite, too! It’s crisp freshness and high acidity makes it a perfect complement to a vinegar based Italian salad and roasted fish.

Sparkling Brut Wine

Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rose

This elegant Brut Rose from Burgundy was another one of my favorite picks. This Sparkling Wine from France rivels many of the Champagnes available and is priced just right at around
$16.99. This must be included in all of your holiday celebrations or just because!

100% Italiano Wines

Teroldego Azienda Agricola Pisoni (biodynamic) Red Italian Wine

Terre del Barolo Dolcetto d’Alba represents all that is right with Italian Wines. The deep cherry flavors with hints of anise and lively tannins are straight from the Piedmont terroir. And, the Ceci La Luna Malvasia, sparkling, light and lively should be served with your next seafood meal.

Lisa and Kermit

Oh What a night! Kermit Lynch-the Rock Star of Wine and Music- treated a lucky crowd of lovers of wine and music to his wonderful CD “Man’s Temptation.” Kermit’s music style is comparable to Jaques Brel and Leonard Cohen.

Chateauneuf du Pape 1997

Thank you! Mr.John Brittle,Jr for providing the fabulous bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape 1997. This magnificent bottle flowed into wine glasses and we all got enjoy everyone’s favorite Kermit Lynch wine.

Billie Joyce

My friend and fellow wine lover Billie Joyce,manager, of JBarleycorn Wine Shop on Harding Place in Nashville,TN is no doubt talking about Kermit Lynch wines and about her recent visit to the vineyards in France.

Jeremy Barlow

Chef Jeremy Barlow of Tayst Restaurant set up his traveling kitchen at The Basement and whipped up some fantastic creations: bite-sized sweet potato cakes and chicken corn bread muffins topped with smoked caramel. Yum!

Rumour's East

I just recently attended Rumour’s East Fall Wine Dinner.  Billie Joyce,manager of J Barley Corn Wine & Spirits, provided five fabulous and interesting wines that were paired perfectly with the courses expertly prepared by the executive chef Hernan Borda.  The sparkling wine “Tre di Terra Verdiane” Spumante from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

This pleasantly crisp ,fresh slightly sparkling wine with hints of pineapple and apple was lovely paired with the artisinal cheeses and cured meat appetizer: manchego, taleggio,drunken goat cheese, Tennessee White Cheddar, salami,chorizo and andouille.