When my dad was in town I took him to one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Jeffrey’s Grocery.  We shared a seafood tower (with which I enjoyed a crisp sauvignon blanc) then moved on to the skirt steak as our main.  I asked the som, Erika, for a recommendation of a red wine to enjoy with my steak.  After describing my ideal glass of wine (fruit forward, balanced, not too tannic) she brought me a glass of the 2011 Blina Barbera D’Asti.  

Made of 100% Barbera (Italy’s 3rd most planted grape, and slightly more approachable than the more famous Nebbiolo of the Asti region) the wine was a beautiful cherry red color.  It was aged in stainless steel for 10 months allowing the fruit to really shine through, bright juicy red fruits, balanced with acid and minimal tannins.  This formula really makes it a food friendly wine.  It continued to open up and got better with every sip throughout my meal.  

Wine:  Blina 2011 Barbera D’Asti