Toast to the Italians and their Big Wines

by Frank Mangio

I’ve always wanted to go to Vinitaly, the annual gathering of the world’s Italian winemakers and for the past 45 years, a vast April trade show in Verona Italy. Friends and associates who have attended have proclaimed it the largest and most influential wine event on the planet.

So it was with a large dose of excitement that I was on the guest list at TOAST, the popular Italian “Enoteca and Cucina”wine bar and restaurant next to PETCO Park downtown San Diego. TOAST recently honored Vinitaly and selected some of the best-of-show wines to pour for a select group of wine lovers. The wines had scored the highest rating available from Gambero Rosso’s yearly guide to Italian wine, equivalent to Wine Spectator’s 97+point wines.

Owner-Chef Martin Gonzalez was serving his most requested Italian menu dishes, like Pizzas, Tortellini and Rigatoni. He is well known for his award-winning Acqua Al 2 Italian Ristorante in the Gaslamp District.



Martin Gonzalez, shown by an Enomatic Wine Server at his Cucina and Wine Bar, TOAST.

Gonzalez works diligently, with the certainty of his culinary and wine experience in Florence, Italy, to present wines like no other in the metro area; over 400 wines by the glass, from state-of-the-art Enomatic Servers. These are automated portion-controlled servings that are self-served with a digital price display, name and wine description. The server has 16 bottles that customers can access and make choices through pre-paid debit cards. TOAST can change the wine menu at any time.

Some extraordinary Italian picks this day included: a 2006 Chianti Classico, Fattoria Le Fonti from Panzano, Toscana; a blend with an unusual oak and fruity character, different from many of the region’s wines. Another Toscana favorite was the Brunello from Montalcino, the 2005 Tenute Silvio Nardi which has Italy’s highest rating. All Brunellos are a minimum 4 years in barrel and one in bottle before release, and generally still considered young at 10 years.

Then I stopped at the Antinori table where the classic Tenuta Tignanello 2007 was being served, and stayed there. I was tutored by video on the internet by the great patriarch of the family, Piero Antinori. His Tignanello is considered the original “Super Tuscan.” It is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet and 5% Cab Franc. Truly exquisite Italian wine making!

This rare opportunity was hosted by TOAST, one of many more wine/food events set to make its mark in San Diego every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Visit its web site at www.toastenoteca.com for more information, or call 619-269-4207. Weekday happy hours are from 3 to 6pm, with Sunday happy hours all day. Private parties are a specialty in the wine lounge or on the outdoor patio.

Sonoma Favorite J Cellars Names New Winemaker

Melissa Stackhouse has been named Vice President of Winemaking at the J Vineyards and Winery located in Healdsburg, Sonoma.

J has a 25 year reputation as a top sparkling wine house with fine estate-driven varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

She is a graduate of UC Davis and was winemaker at La Crema from 2003 to 2010, and was most recently at Jackson Family Wines where she was master winemaker of all Pinot Noir.

Find out more about Stackhouse and J Wines by visiting www.jwines.com.

Melissa Stackhouse

Wine Bytes

* Canapes Restaurant and Wine Bar in San Marcos is now open every day from 4 to 10pm, with weekly outdoor movies on Wednesday nights at 7:30pm. The first one was ” The Hustler” with other greats to follow. For more, call 760-510-2088.

* Bacchus Wine Market downtown San Diego is planning a Cabernet Franc tasting, Fri. June 10, from 4 pm to 8:30pm. Wine from California and France will be compared. Cost is $20. Phone is 619-236-0005.

* The new Mahogany Mountain Winery Tasting room in Ramona has Port-style wines, chocolates and other food delights, plus Zumba Classes on Sat. June 11 from 4:15pm to 6:15pm. Cost is $20. pre pay and $25. at the door. Check it out at 858-248-1612.

* PAON Restaurant and Wine Bar in Carlsbad is presenting an Orfila Wine Tasting Sun. June 12 from 2 to 5pm. Cost is $25. pp. For more information call 760-729-7377.

* The 28th annual Wine & Roses Charity Event is Sun. June 12 from 3 to 6pm at the Westgate Hotel, downtown San Diego. Lots of food, wine and entertainment. Silent auctions, drawings and 40 wineries. $65. pre-pay, $75. at the door. Call 619-583-9463.

* Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas brings in Cakebread Cellars with a great wine dinner on Tues. June 14 at 6:30pm. Call 760-635-1066 for an RSVP.