EATING OUT AGAIN

18 August 2020

What a relief that during August life was becoming a little freer, insomuch that as a group of friends we could organise a day out in the countryside near the small town of Montecarlo in the province of Lucca. Organised by Jim and Sheri who are acquaintances of the Rossi family, they booked a lunch for fourteen at ‘Il Poggio’, an agriturismo typical of the region. Giancarlo Rossi, as head of the family have owned and developed the property since 1963, concentrating on wine and oil production and hospitality that today can accommodate over a thousand guests for lunch or dinner. Proud of their set menu, they serve in generous proportions traditional food sourced locally. However, because of the recent pandemic, business, especially the hospitality sector, has suffered and yet we were welcomed warmly as virtually the only guests for lunch!

As a group, we travelled by train from Lucca to Pescia where we were met by members of the family, driven to the fattoria and given a small, guided tour.

The lunch was combined with wine tasting of three white and three red wines that began with:

Montecarlo Rosso DOC: grape variety: 60% Sangiovese, Sjrah, Canaiolo, Malvasia and Merlot 40%, vintage 2017, production 20,000 bottles with an alcohol content of 12.5%

Montecarlo Bianco DOC: grape variety: Trebbiano Toscano 50%, Vermentino, Roussanne, Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc 50%, vintage 2017, production 25,000 bottles with an alcohol content of 12.5%

These two wines blended from several grape varieties sell at the very commercial price of 8 euros per bottle, discounted to 5.60 euros per half case. Most of our group considered these two wines to be excellent, great value and ideal for a lunchtime meal.

The next two wines were:

Otium Rosso DOC: grape variety: 50% Sangiovese, Sjrah, Cabernet, Merlot 50%, vintage 2017, production 3,000 bottles with an alcohol content of 13%, aged in wooden barrels for 4 months.

Otium Bianco DOC: grape variety: Trebbiano Toscano 40%, Vermentino, Roussanne, Sauvignon and Chardonnay 60%, vintage 2017, production 5,000 bottles with an alcohol content of 13%. These two wines slightly altered the blend and are of a limited production costing 10 euros per bottle.

The last two wines we tasted were their most complex labelled as Incantate meaning ‘enchanted’.

Incantate Rosso IGT Toscana: grape variety: Merlot 60%, Syrah 40%, vintage 2017, production 3,000 bottles with an alcohol content of 13.5%, aged in barriques for 18 months. The website describes this wine as: ruby red with violet reflections, intense perfume of fresh fruit, especially black and sour cherry, a good structure with a dry flavour, harmonious, soft, and persistent. They suggest pairing this wine with “tasty first courses with meat sauces, grilled red meats, delicate stews and roasted white meats”. It sells for 20 euros per bottle.

Incantate Bianco IGT Toscana: grape variety: 100% Chardonnay, vintage 2017, production 5,000 bottles with an alcohol content of 14%, aged in wooden barrels for 6 months. The wine is described as golden yellow in colour, a clear and delicate aroma with a dry, harmonious flavour. Suggested pairings are with white meats, fish, and savoury flavoured foods. It sells for 16 euros per bottle.

The fattoria also sells an excellent cold-pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Vin Santo, and Grappa.

For the food we were served the Menù “Assaggi”, the tasting menu that consisted of two pasta dishes (from a variety of choices), mixed grill beef and pork with a vegetarian option, choice of various contorni and a choice of dolci. Water, coffee, and the usual choice of grappa, limoncello etc appeared to be added at no extra cost! With two pasta dishes, it felt like a four-course meal!

With the weather being sunny and warm, the company convivial and ‘Il Poggio’à living up to and surpassing our expectations, we all had a great time and vowed to return when the ‘virus’ allowed.