CorkRules - Episodes | Bar Mezzana Bar Mezzana

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About this Episode

Sam Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas talk wine, food, and wine producers as they explore the wine list at Bar Mezzana in Boston. Sam identifies some interesting finds and introduces wines made from hybrid grape varietals, organic vineyards in Greece, and great vintages from family-owned vineyards. If notes of roasted nuts and flower petals, and beautiful bright flavors of apple and peach sound delicious to you, or if you don’t know what to order with PEI mussels, or the Paccheri pasta with lobster, Sam will point you in the right direction.

Wines reviewed include:

2016 Erbaluna “Rocche Dell’Aannunziata” Borolo
1701 Franciacorta Satèn, Lombardy, Northern Italy
2020 Kontozisis “A-Grafo” Assyrtiko

Transcript: Bar Mezzana

Bar Mezzana

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Sam, it’s great to have you!

SH: Hi Robert! Great to be back.

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well… it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Today, Sam and I are reviewing…

Overview

Bar Mezzana is located in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. They feature Italian coastal cuisine with a focus on their crudo selection and homemade pasta.

Where to start

Bar Mezzana’s beverage list has classic Italian cocktails and some interesting finds for wine bottles. This wine list is set up by sections that have titles like “Cabernet Adjacent” and “Not Quite Chard” so if you know what you usually like, find the section and experience something new in your preferred taste profile.

What stood out to me right away was their section from Chertok wines. These wines are made by Max Rose, who is originally from Boston and set out determined to make wines that are basically New England in a bottle. He’s worked with fruit from vineyards all over New England before finding a farm in Vermont where he grows grapes and apples. He does the farming by hand and is deeply committed to the health of the farm’s ecosystem and the products he creates. The bottle called “Midrash” is made from Marquette which is a hybrid grape varietal created for cold climate growing, ideal for Vermont. It tends to have a medium body with notes of cherry and dark berries and would make a great partner with pasta, like their Agnolotti stuffed with duck confit.

Value

A bottle that would pair really well with a lot dishes on the menu that is also affordable would be the 2020 Kontozisis “A-Grafo” Assyrtiko. Assyrtiko is a classic Greek grape varietal and this bottle comes from the Kontozisis organic vineyards in the Thessaly region. A-Grafo means “unchartered” in Greek, and this bottle definitely stands out from other Assyrtikos. The grapes were fermented whole-cluster so it gives it more structure, it’s got that shining acid the grape is known for, but also some lovely floral notes and refreshing citrus as well. It would be delicious with the PEI mussels, or the Paccheri pasta with Lobster, since it’s so good with seafood and the acid would be a great palate cleanser to the lobster crema.

Celebratory

So I just have to mention a few options for your shindig because there are some great choices. First, the Barolo and Barbaresco section can’t be ignored. They have some really amazing options that you can get by the bottle or glass!! What an awesome opportunity to have some really beautiful Italian wines. I would go for the 2016 Erbaluna “Rocche Dell’Aannunziata” Borolo. Erbaluna is a family-owned winery in La Morra known for their high-quality wines. The 2016 is a great vintage so this bottle is not going to disappoint. Notes of strawberry and delicate floral tones, soft on the palate with balanced tannins.

Maybe your night calls for some bubbles? The 1701 Franciacorta Satèn is made from 100% Chardonnay from Lombardy in Northern Italy. This Franciacorta winey has been around for centuries and grows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The current owners focus on preserving all of the rich history of the estate and want tradition and purity to shine in their wines. This bottle is aromatic with notes of roasted nuts and flower petals, and has beautiful bright flavors of apple and peach. It’s got these delicate bubbles too, so it’s elegant and fun to drink. Try it alongside one of the fish crudos, or it would be great with subtle sweetness in the seared scallops. Totally indulgent and delicious!

RT: Sam, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Bar Mezzana.

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules. If you would like Sam to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@CorkRules .Com or visit our web website where we have a request form.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @CorkRules

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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