An Historical Barolo Dinner - 2008 to 1961

I will be hosting a remarkable Barolo dinner at Vivere Ristorante at The Italian Village in Chicago on Tuesday, July 17. The focus of the dinner will be cru Barolo from the last fifty years, as we will taste ten wines, ranging from the newly released 2008s back to the Fontanafredda 1961, one of the 20th century's greatest Barolo vintages.

These are wines that I have taken from my cellar, bottles that I have been bringing back from the Barolo area over the past decade. I have put together a mix of the finest producers, such as Elio Grasso, Vietti, Marcarini, Roberto Voerzio and Fontanafredda, to name only a few, representing various Barolo communes as well as winemaking styles.

Here is the menu and list of wines for the evening:

Welcome wine: Bruno Giacosa Brut

1st course: Vitello Tonnato with Caper Berry

2008 Ceretto "Brunate"

2008 Elio Grasso "Gavarini Chiniera"

2nd course: Tajarin pasta with Albese Sauce

2007 Elvio Cogno "Ravera"

2007 Marcarini "La Serra"

3rd course: Barolo risotto with Figs

2004 Fratelli Barale "Cannubi"

2004 Roberto Voerzio "Brunate"

4th course: Hazelnut Encrusted Ribeye with Fontina Fonduta

2001 Vietti "Brunate"

2001 Fontanafredda "Lazzarito"

5th course: Selection of Piemontese Cheeses

1996 Poderi Colla "Bussia Dardi Le Rose"

1961 Fontanafredda

The price for this dinner will be $175 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. Considering that a single bottle of the 2004 Voerzio Barolo will cost you more than that (if you could find it), the total charge for this dinner is quite reasonable. 

Please note that this dinner will be at a single table in Vivere and will be limited to ten people. Thus it is important that you need to contact me as soon as possible to reserve your seat, as this will no doubt fill up very quickly.

If you are interested in attending, contact me, Tom Hyland, by email at thomas2022@comcast.net and I will let you know about payment options. You will be required to pay me before the dinner to reserve your seat. Please do not contact Vivere or The Italian Village - you need to contact me.

Tuesday, July 17

Vivere at The Italian Village

71 W. Monroe, Chicago

7:00 PM

I look forward to seeing you at this special dinner, one we will all remember for quite some time, as we celebrate the best in Piemontese food and wine!