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About this Episode

Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head to Las Vegas where they review the wine list at North Italia. If Italian wine is your jam, then this review should not be missed. Maria offers tasting notes and pairing suggestions on wines from a variety of varietals and regions. Want to know what to pair with pizza or your favorite pasta dish? Maria can help you choose with confidence.

Wines reviewed include:

  • Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico

  • Ferrari Blanc de Blanc Sparkling

  • Marchesi di Gresi Barbera d’asti

Transcript: North Italia

\North Italia Las Vegas in Summerlin

RT): Hi Everyone, welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that’s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists.

I’m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert! Today we are checking out an Italian spot that’s a favorite amongst the locals  here in Las Vegas

RT: That's right, today we are talking about the wine list at North Italia Las Vegas in the suburb of Summerlin. This national chain restaurant is different from most: the food is made from scratch daily with lots of love and there are daily specials that add to the menu of Italian-American favorites. This casual hotspot is always buzzing and busy, for Lunch, Brunch, and especially dinner.

RT: Sounds like a place that probably has plenty of Italian wines on offer, so Maria walk us through the wine list at North Italia Las Vegas.

MV: Sure thing. I frequent this place a lot and I have also been to one of their Arizona locations. It is always reliably good. The wine list by the bottle is short and sweet, offering just as much by way of California as they do Italy, but what impresses me the most are the wines by the glass – they offer more than most restaurants and they have some interesting wines at that plus the pours are also available by the Terzo !

RT: The terzo?

MV: Terzo means third in Italian so (3rd of the bottle) basically 8 ounces.

RT: Got it...  I like that option. so, what are the impressive standouts?

MV: for instance, they have a Vermentino by the glass for white, the Gianni Gagliardo “Fallegro” Lange (where here they call it Favorita) And they also have a Pecorino by the glass… The Terra d’aligi “Zite” from Abruzzo and I know what you’re thinking…nope it’s not the cheese. It’s a grape too. It usually has these nutty citrus and stone fruit aromas.

RT: Yeah you don’t see either of those by the glass much... do they have some interesting Italian reds as well?

MV: YES, they do!   In Reds they have a Frapatto from Sicily – the donnafugatta “bella assai” a lighter bodied red... Barbera, the Marchesi di Gresi Barbera d’asti and another fun one, the negroamaro Li Veli “Pezzo Morgana” Riserva from Salice Salentino (Puglia). All native grapes to Italy... a negroamaro and the Italian meatballs with creamy polenta is going to hit the spot..

RT: Great yummy options there to begin with, so what about by the bottle – I know you said it’s limited but what are your top 2 choices for value bottles on the list?

MV: I’ll give you more than that because honestly what’s great about this list is that most of the wines are under $100! Amazing!!!

RT: WOW! That’s incredible… A RAREITY! Soo then... give us all your favorites…

MV: My ultimate line up would be to start with the

Ferrari Blanc de Blanc sparkling from way up north In Trentino... made in the champagne method from 100% chardonnay grapes aged for over 30 months on the lees this to pair with the burrata starter… then I would choose a lighter-bodied white... the Jermann Pinot Grigio (everyone who knows me knows I don’t often drink PG but this one is my fav) perfect for the arancini or the Mediterranean mussels.

RT: Then what, a richer white?

MV: You guessed it… the ZD Chardonnay when I want that rich buttery style.. butternut squash Anolini  OR chicken pesto pasta with this bad boy…

RT: ooohhhh… now What about a good pizza red? I bet their pizzas are pretty darn good …?

MV: oh yeah the PIG pizza (meat lovers obviously) I like barbera and also sangiovese with pizza.. so the Viberti la gemella barbera d’alba  or the Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico - tomato paste..  could go with that PIG and the Bolognese tagliatelle too.

RT? And the finale … how about a real big red?

MV: I’m going for it.. the roasted porchetta and braised short ribs are not to be missed and for these, I’d end with the Allegrini Amarone... Veneto 45% Corvina Veronese, 45% Corvinone, 5% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta intense concentrated ripeness here…

Now If dry wines aren’t your thing then the sangria could be right up you taste bud alley.. they have one that’s made with a sparkling rosé and of course a red sangria. both are fantastic. I can vouch! Lol!

RT: well, thank you Maria for giving us an incredible wine lineup at North Italia Las Vegas. Thank you everyone for joining us today you can find more wine tips from Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Be sure to download the CorkRules app! And remember, the only rule in wine is “drink what you LOVE”.

MV: Have a favorite wine list? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at info@CorkRules.com You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on

The CorkRules website. Be sure to follow @CorkRules on Instagram for episode and app updates. Prices and selections subject to change, please drink responsibly.

 

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