Friends of Ricco - The Hardwick

The Hardwick at Abergavenny

Having dealt with the Hardwick for upwards two years, it’s always a pleasure to deliver wine to this top restaurant - Michel Roux Jr's favourite in Wales! Nestled in the rolling hills just two miles from Abergavenny, this restaurant (with accommodation) sources locally produced ingredients of the highest quality and is owned by Stephen and Jo Terry. Stephen won his first Michelin star aged 25 and at the Hardwick has created a restaurant of genuine quality, hospitality and inspiration. From a well-chosen menu, bolstered by an equally knowledgeable wine list, Stephen and his team have created an absolute gem with the Hardwick.

In a nutshell, if you are in this area and wanting good food, some great Italian Wine (from Ricco of course) and perhaps accommodation, a visit here is a must. Since supplying the Hardwick I have even been able to overcome the emotional trauma of the Welsh occasionally beating the English at Rugby.

A recent highlight was the experience of Stephens' rump of Lamb with Black Olive Gnocchi, accompanied by a glass of Piergiovanni Giusti's L'Intruso - one of our wines to be found on Stephen’s wine list.

Ricco's Winemaker of the Month: Piergiovanni Giusti

Piergiovanni Giusti is a man of considerable warmth and humour. Married with a wife and three children, he is deeply rooted to the culture and wine making traditions of Le Marche. In his company his presence and wit are infectious and the hospitality of the Giusti's is of the highest quality - the food is well worth a detour, salute!

Based in Le Marche, the winery of Piergiovanni specialises in the wines of La Crima di Morro D'Alba. This is an ancient, red grape variety particular to the sub-zone of Morro D'Alba, producing wines of great character and quality and of a style of its own.

Cantina Giusti produce several styles from this remarkable grape variety:

The base La Crima for everyday drinking - brilliant with salami, terrines, all meats and game and meat based pasta.

Rubbjano - a complex, full bodied red wine that has an intense bouquet of rose petals and brambles, mouth filling fruit on the palate and long aftertaste, perfect for a Sunday roast, lasagne or cheese. My preference here would be semi-mature goats cheese.

L'Intruso is a wine of 40% La Crima D'Morro D'Alba, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Montepulciano and 10% Merlot, and is named 'The intruder' because of the 10% Merlot included in this simply stunning, very drinkable medium bodied wine. Good bouquet and an abundance of soft fruits and tannins - we have never had such a response to a wine.

For someone with a sweeter tooth Piergiovanni hasn't forgotten you, Bollanera - a semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine of just 8-9% alcohol, just perfect for a summer pudding, tiramisu, oven baked peaches or even as an aperitivo! But for a more complex dessert, the La Crima Passito is simply brilliant, or just sip on its own at the end of a meal.

The Giusti cantina will be one of the wineries that we will visit with Ricco in our forthcoming wine tours.

Taste of Italy Weekend

Corks popped, wine flowed and orders rushed in as Ricco hosted its annual Taste of Italy event last weekend.

With more than 40 top quality wines available to taste and plenty of thirsty customers, it's no surprise that demand was high and we are now busy restocking the cellar!

Alongside the wine, customers also had a choice of food - Mary's biscotti and Valeriana's Ciabatta were joined by authentic cheeses, pasta, Olive oil and premium balsamic vinegar.

On Sunday we were very pleased to be joined by Jonathan and Roberto from Shardana, (top of Guildford High St) - authentic Italian food and great ambiance, Ricco recommends a visit!

Thanks to all that attended, we enjoyed it immensely and it was great so see such a good turn out - we will announce the winners of the competition shortly.

Off to the bottle bank now, followed by supper and a glass of Mazzamurello

Thanks again,

Trevor.


P.S. Watch this space with regards to our planned wine tours to Italy - looks like Florence for the first trip!

July with Ricco Wines

Our English summer is here, and with it some sure hits from Ricco for your garden party or barbeque (or lunch indoors when the rain comes) with friends, family; Wines that will satisfy even the most demanding mother in law.

As an aperitivo, served with antipasti: Althea's Frizzante Prosecco. Being semi-sparkling, clean, crisp and dry, it's a perfect beginning for any occasion. Our friend Marika (from Althea) considers it the perfect remedy to British reserve.

Something for a problem menu, meat? Fish? Vegetables? Torre Dei Beatti's Rose-ae Cerasuolo is a perfect match for a problem menu and nothing like those insipid, pale imitation Rosé wines you will find on a supermarket shelf. Cerasuolo is a Rose with attitude and class.

For your White choice – Il Palagione’s Hydra Vernaccia di san Gimignano, is a wine of ample fruit and complexity, matched with good levels of acidity and a good clean aftertaste. A very food friendly wine.

From the Colli Senesi region of Chianti, also from Il Palagione comes this fine example of an everyday drinking style of Chianti. Caelum is a medium bodied wine with good levels of fruit and finished with rounded tannins - A perfect match with all meats (barbequed or roasted) and rounded enough to accompany some fish dishes (grilled Sardines, Mackerel, Salmon etc.) A very regional style of Chianti and very drinkable.

Ricco are fully licenced, so why not come for a glass at Ricco HQ, here at Plestor House?

Happy Drinking, if you have nobody nice to eat and drink with this summer give Trevor a call on 01730 894751.

Trevor

PS. Having Chocolate or seasonal Cherries? Our Visciola Cherry wine from Pergiovanni Giusti, served straight from the fridge is simply sensational! With the above, or simply to sip on its own with your favourite guest - don’t forget my number.