Wine recommendation for tonight?

Question

I'm going out to dinner tonight and I'd like a wine recommendation off this list (see link)

http://www.postinorestaurant.com/menus/wine.html

I usually like sweet, fruity stuff. My favorite is Napa Cellars Chardonnay & Ponzi Pinot Gris.

I like a good red also as long as it's not too dry or oak tasting.
I'll probably be pairing it with an appetizer like bruschetta or a vegetarian marinara or pesto based pasta.

See anything I might like?

Answer 1

I grew up in Lafayette. I have not been to this restraint. They have very impressive wine list. They are doubling the price of their wines. This is not uncommon. Just be aware that when the wine is listed for $50.00 it is $25.00 in the store. They do have some wines to get extra excided about!!

My first choice is the DR Stevens. These guys make outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. It will probably be the best wine you will ever have. You will need them to decant it and plan to spend at least two hours drinking it. Most of the big reds on the win list are not ready to drink. They need some time in the bottle. Probably true of the DR Stevens, but it would be hard to turn down.

Next is another small producer called Paulmeyer. Pahlmeyer are different: lots of flavor, Smooth, full body and outstanding. The Merlot will probably be the best merlot you have ever had. It is a very difficult to find wine, and I love these wines. I have found that Paulmeyer wines do not need aging.

The rest of the stuff is good, but not to get excited about. It is hard for me to spend a lot of money for white wine. Many wineries over oak and over butter Chardoney; thus, the fruit gets lost. Ferrari Cerrano makes some good top end Chardonnay, but they are not on the list. I would choose a Sauvignon Blanc over a Chardonnay for that reason. Most wineries have success with this grape.

Zinfandel: No on Ridge, Seghesio, and Montelena. Rombauer makes a lot of different Zinfandel; thus, you cannot keep track of them. Probably the top one is good. Gamba I have heard good things about. I have the Lamborn in the past. Some of the past Brown (1999. 2001) was some of the most enjoyable wines I have ever drank. It was like drinking liquid chocolate. I do not think it would be good with food.



Pinot Noir – I do not know these labels. This is a very difficult grape to make wine out of, and there are a lot of bad pinots. I usually proceed with caution when choosing a Pinot, and particularly the least expensive ones.

Meritages: No on Opes. Although it is the most expensive win listed, it is not ready, and there are better choices. Most of the big cabs I would not choose for the same reason. No one the Groth, Plumbjack, Montelena and Far Niente. The Stages Leap Petite Syrah may be fun. I believe Honis doe good stuff at the lower end. Have fun

Answer 2

Wow...that's a toughy. Are you buying just a glass or a bottle? If bottle I would get the Arneis from Vietti. An italian white kind of sort of like Pinot Grigio. Would go great with the pesto. You could also do the Grgich Sauvignon Blanc from Napa.

If you are going by the glass I would either get the Honig Sauvignon Blanc or the Chianti Classico from Coltibuono

Though not that it would go with any of your food, I would buy the Jade Mountain Mourvedre. I just really like that wine.

You might also want to ask your server at the restuarant. I have been to Postino in Lafayette, California, and they are usually quite helpful. Just ask the same question you did here and they should be able to help.

Answer 3

Ahh, Postino. I used to work at the lovely Lafayette restaurant! If their website has their winelist up to date, I would recommend you start with a glass of the 2006 Pinot Gris, Inman. A good way to get the palate warmed up. Move on to either a fuller bodied white, the Latour chardonnay is going to be dry, while the Ferrari Carano will be more fruit forward. If you don't like those choices try the Ramsey Pinot Noir or the Handley Zinfandel. If you want to do bottles and not glasses, try these 1/2 bottle selections. Variety for a good price. 2001 Pinot Noir, Kent Rassmussen Carneros
2005 Zinfandel, Rombauer . Strictley going for a bottle? 2006 Pinot Grigio, Alois Lageder fabulous wine from up in the mountains of northern Italy, or 2005 Pinot Gris, Mac Murray Ranch. Red? 2005 Lagrein, Tiefenbrunner or 2004 Sangiovese, Ferrari Carano "Siena" or 2005 Rosenblum Zinfandel. The Chef, Mike Zeiter is great, and Kat Kora of Iron Chef fame used to be the chef there. The wait staff should be very knowledgeable and can make good recomendations as well. Tell them Tony from Bistecca said hi! I worked there in 1999.

Answer 4

For a red, try a rhone or pinot noir. Pinot Noir is normally the lightest red you can get and cotes de rhone is one step heavier.I try to get pinot noirs that are made in Santa Barbara... Either would be nice with italian food. If you decide on a white, then Sauvigon blanc is lite and fruity!

Answer 5

I'm shocked that there is hardly any Italian wine on this list (by the glass) ....

I'm sorry, I'm on the east coast and I'm not used to such highway robbery on mere half bottles, and the by the glass selection spends too much time shilling for California wineries for a place with an ostensibly Italian aesthetic

If you're just doing appetizers, I assume you don't want to be robbed blind on half bottles ... with that, and based on your palate, I think I'd just get the prosecco by the glass, or perhaps go somewhere else .... if I wanted New World wine, I'd go some sort of fusion restaurant or wine bar