CorkRules - Episodes | Osteria Delbianco Osteria Delbianco

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About this Episode

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Osteria Delbianco. Located in midtown, a stone’s throw from Manhattan’s fashionable shopping and theater districts, this is a charming Italian gem where you can enjoy authentic Italian fare in comfortable setting. They also offer an extensive list of award-winning wines which Maria helps us navigate.

Wines reviewed include:

● The Jermann Pinot Grigio

● The Sella e Mosca Cannonau Riserva

● The Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore

Transcript: Osteria Delbianco

Osteria Delbianco NYC

RT: Hello and 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, Certified Sommelier and Wine educator also known as Maria the Wine Blonde

Hello Maria

MV: Buongiorno Robert I love a good Osteria…

RT: Yes me too Maria… and today we are reviewing the wine list from the midtown Manhattan gem, Osteria Delbianco. Chef Diego Bigucci honed his culinary passion in his homeland of Italy specifically in the region he was born, Emilia-Romagna, which is often referred to as the FOOD capital of Italy. His love of cooking all things flavorful, came from the influence of his Nonna, Maria Delbianco so it makes perfect sense that when he opened his own restaurant in NY in 2020, he named it after his grandmother. You will find traditional refined northern Italian fare featuring his family’s time-tested recipes at this warm and inviting, elegant upscale eatery.

RT: Maria tell us what you think of Osteria Delbianco’s wine list.

MV: I think it’s a fairly easy wine list to navigate. There’s new world California and old-world selections from Italy which makes sense given the menu… eeeehhh lacking in selections of other regions but I do love that there are lots of options in the $50-$60 dollar range

RT: That’s a really great price point to be in …So would you start us with an old world or new world wine Maria:

MV: well, I don’t have a by-the-glass list here to choose from (That’s why we all need some CorkRules in our life so we can find all of the wine options online)

RT: Comment and throw.. (so true. Good plug maria! Lol)

MV: Given that, I would start out with the old world, something a little lighter like one of the pinot grigios listed… not all PG is equally interesting. in fact some can taste like watered-down wine… but here they have a producer that I just love: The JERMANN (yher Mahn) Pinot Grigio $65, This is from the Friuli region of Italy, up in the northeast corner it has a lot more flavor than probably any pinot grigio you have EVER tasted. a rounded palate with ripe orchard fruit, pears and peaches, and a little honeydew and a tangy bright finish. a lovely compliment to the fritto misto or the Prosciutto di parma and Burrata. Fun fact the famous salty-sweet aged ham Proscuitto di parma hails from Chef Diego’s hometown region of Emilia-Romagna.

RT: That’s great what vintage is that?

MV: actually, Robert they don’t have the vintages for white wines only the reds. often that is because they change so quickly…

RT: That’s unusual. maybe it’s just the online version?

MV: you live close by you’ll just have to make a night of it for dinner and let us know!

RT: I can do that…challenge accepted! Haha! So As you peruse the wine list anything else that is a must-try? Something fun? Or funky?

MV: a fun wine that’s different and worth checking out is this reasonably priced Sella e Mosca Cannonau Rsv , a wine from the island of Sardinia, here they call the grenache grape cannonau. it’s a fresh lighter bodied ruby red that’s really delicious. Cherries and plums, medium tannins, salted herbs and earthy notes surrounded by spices, I even like this wine with a little chill on it so don’t be afraid to ask them to cool it down a notch…try it with the cured meat plate, or the mushroom risotto. I love risotto!

RT: me too . so that wine is a good value. as I see it’s under $60 any other tips for us for value wines to try?

MV: Yes here’s another option under the $60 mark: The Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2015 $58 Ripasso in Italian literally means “repassed” and that describes the winemaking process here perfectly. This wine develops its rich concentrated flavors and softer profile by going through a second fermentation on the warm grape skins used to make their Amarone. Therefore, we will often refer to a Ripasso Valpolicella Classico as a “baby Amarone” because you get a lot of the complexity and depth with a tad less alcohol and a much better everyday drinking price point than an Amarone, Try it with one of Strozzapreti sausage and mushroom pasta plate which should bring out the bing cherry, candied dried figs and leathery flavors.

RT: You know where we are heading next. we want to get to entrees and are ready for something special to go with them, what do you suggest Maria?

Tommasi "Ripasso" is the unique result of refermenting Valpolicella Classico Superiore on the warm grape skins from which Amarone has been fermented. This process, used only in rare vintage years, imparts the richness of character and personality of a great wine to an already superior wine.

MV: There’s a really intriguing wine worth seeking out and spending a little extra money on. the Tenuta San Leonardo San Leonardo 2014. This is a family-run estate in the Trentino-Alto Adige region in Italy ALL the way up north, protected by the Alps. Their winemaking is Steeped in tradition and this is their flagship wine, a Bordeaux blend, 60% Cab Sauv, 30% Carmenere & 10% merlot. This wine has layers of wild berries, mountain-top herbs, vanilla-coated cassis, and green pepper. (most likely that last note from the Carmenere grape) This bottle is for the wine drinker that likes to THOUGHTFULLY drink their wine. it is incredibly complex and there’s so much to discover in the glass.

RT: Is there a new world option you like worth spending the money on?

MV: I would steer you to the Groth Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. I love the Groth estate wines. Groth is based in napa valley in the Oakville AVA they always get rave reviews, everyone is going to love this wine it is a real palate-pleaser. Think ripe mulberry fruit, blackberries and juicy plums plus those integrated oak tannins that give it standout structure, you are going to love this wine! Try it with the spicy roasted chicken entrée or the roasted Porchetta (the pork chop).

RT: That’s a great wine and food pairing for our listeners to try as we wrap up today’s episode. Maria, thank you for ALL of your helpful wine information and suggestions from Osteria Delbianco’s wine list. You can find Maria on instagram @Mariathewineblonde.

Thank you EVERYONE for joining us on CorkRules, 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 and be sure to Check out all of our episodes on CorkRules.com; Please drink responsibly.