On Halloween we went to the Ristorante Frescobaldi, London, for a dinner hosted by Castello Pomino winemaker, Livia Le Divelec, who guided us through the unusual and exciting wines of Pomino’s mountain environment and the unique history of the estate where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were planted for the first time in Italy in 1855.

Pomino boasts an environment unique inTuscany: a perfectly-balanced ecosystem of vineyards, fir forest, chestnut trees, and olive groves. The estate covers 1,458 hectares lying along the wooded slopes of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, with 108 hectares in vineyards, at elevations ranging from 300 to 750 metres.

Ristorante Frescobaldi London is the first standalone restaurant and bar in the UK from the famed Frescobaldi family of Tuscany.

Canapés

A selection of canapes, paired with  Leonia Brut 2012, Metodo Tradizionale Millesimato

The wine had an initial aroma of intense bread crust and patisserie, which gave way to a fresh bouquet of spring flowers with citrusy hints, before ending with spiced nutmeg and thyme leaves.

The sparkly starter was a perfect tipple to pair with the canapés of traditional Tuscan meats, fish and cheese.

Antipasti

Sea bass tartar with artichoke and fresh salad leaves, paired with Castello Pomino 2016, Pomino Bianco d.o.c.

2016 Bianco had an intensely flowery, frangipant and jasmine nose, mixed with fruitier notes of apricot and quince. In the glass it releases exotic scents of tropical fruit and fresh cardamom.

Primi piatti 

Rabbit tortelli with winter tomatoes and olive taggiasche, paired with Pomino Pinot Nero 2015, Pomino d.o.c.

An explosion of fruity aromas with a prevelance of cherries and blackberries mixed with cinnamon, cloves and notes of tobacco an coffee.

Secondi 

Turbot with topinambur pumpkin and crispy artickhokes, paired with Pomino Benefizio Riserva 2015 & 1997 vintages, Pomino Bianco d.o.c.    

(On the left) The 2017 Benefizio is a barrique aged white, elegant and distinctive with a rich array of aromas and flavours such as apple, pineapple, citrus and honey.

(On the right) The 1997 Benefizio was a unique experience, a deeper amber colour yet retaining its acidity and freshness superbly. The bottle ageing had developed the honey notes, baked apple and hazelnut.

Dolce 

Pear strudel and hot custard cream, paired with Vinsanto di Pomino 2008, Castello Pomino, Pomino Vinsanto d.o.c.

To finish a sweet delight, on the nose; spicy notes of vanilla and nutmeg. The palate was enveloped by elegant softness, while the finish brings back memories of toasted hazelnuts and walnuts.