### Sommelier Report 🍷 and Food Pairing for Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino 2016.

In the tapestry of Italian wines, Barbaresco holds a prestigious thread, and the 2016 Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino is a testament to the art of winemaking in the Piedmont region. This particular vintage emerges from the Montersino vineyard, which is renowned for the meticulous care that goes into each grape, promising a wine of exceptional quality and depth.

The Nebbiolo grape, from which Barbaresco is exclusively crafted, bestows upon this wine a complex bouquet of aromas. As you pour the 2016 vintage into the glass, you are greeted with a harmonious blend of ripe red fruits and a hint of the earthy undertones that Nebbiolo is celebrated for. Swirling the wine, you'll notice its garnet hue, an inviting preview of the sensory journey to come.

On the palate, this wine offers a symphony of flavors. Initial notes of cherries and raspberries are elegantly interwoven with subtler hints of rose petals, truffles, and a whisper of vanilla. The oak aging imparts a delicate touch of spice, bringing forth a finish that is both graceful and enduring. The tannins are assertive yet refined, indicating a wine that has the structure to age beautifully, while the balance of acidity ensures it remains lively and engaging.

To complement such a wine, one must consider dishes that resonate with its character. From my knowledge source, I have curated a quartet of pairings that would honor the wine's complexity and enhance its inherent flavors:

1. **Seared New York State Venison with Sunchoke and Morel Mushroom** - The gamey richness of venison, coupled with earthy mushrooms and the nutty nuances of sunchoke, mirrors the depth and earthiness of the Barbaresco.

   

2. **Pigeon with Parsnip, Pear and Vanilla** - A dish that plays on the sweetness of pear and parsnip to accentuate the red fruit flavors in the wine, while the vanilla echoes the subtle oak influences.

   

3. **Rabbit Loin with Mustard Sauce and Baby Carrots** - The mild flavor of rabbit, enhanced by a piquant mustard sauce, allows the vibrant acidity of the Barbaresco to shine, creating a delightful contrast.

4. **Braised Beef Cheeks with Polenta and Gremolata** - The succulent, slow-cooked beef cheeks offer a velvety texture that complements the tannic backbone of the wine, while the creamy polenta and zesty gremolata highlight its aromatic profile.

I will provide a detailed cooking instruction for one of these dishes, to inspire not just the palate but also the culinary spirit. Let us take the **Seared New York State Venison with Sunchoke and Morel Mushroom** as our guide into the kitchen.

Begin by marinating the venison loins in a mixture of Barbaresco wine, fresh thyme, and juniper berries to infuse them with flavors that will echo the wine in your glass. Allow them to marinate for at least two hours, or overnight for a deeper connection.

For the sunchokes, cleanse them thoroughly and then roast them until they are tender, with a caramelized exterior that will add a sweet nuttiness to the dish. The morel mushrooms, a luxurious counterpart, should be sautéed gently in butter, with a touch of garlic and shallots until they are fragrant and tender.

Once your components are prepared, sear the venison loins to your preferred doneness, allowing for a rest before slicing to ensure the juices remain intact. Plate your venison atop a bed of roasted sunchokes, adorning the plate with the sautéed morels. A final drizzle of a reduction made from the marinating liquid will bring the dish together, creating a canvas of flavors that celebrates the 2016 Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino's journey from grape to glass.

In the realm of Barbaresco, each vintage tells a story, and the 2016 Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino narrates a tale of tradition, terroir, and the tender care of winemakers who are dedicated to their craft. It is a wine that not only stands proudly on its own but also enhances the culinary creations with which it is paired, creating an experience that transcends the sum of its parts.

I invite you, should you wish to explore further, to request cooking instructions for the other dishes at oldworldmarket@gmail.com, where the journey of taste continues to unfold. Enjoy the embrace of this Barbaresco with each bite, and with each sip, as they dance together in a celebration of flavor and time.

In closing, the 2016 Orlando Abrigo Barbaresco Montersino is more than just a wine; it is a reflection of a place, a passion, and a history. It is a vintage to be savored, a vintage to be shared, and above all, a vintage to be remembered.