Men Are Like Fine Wine

BY RICCARDO TARABELSI

Over the course of my 20-year restaurant career, I have had the privilege of hearing and seeing some pretty strange things. They say that Stephen King gets all of his horror story ideas, which have turned into best-sellers, by sitting in a booth at restaurants. Then, he casually sips his coffee as he eavesdrops on his neighboring booths’ conversations. That should give you an idea of just what occurs in a restaurant setting.

Over the years, I’ve observed blind dates gone awry, couples breaking up, people leaving without paying, and families sitting in silence. I’ve witnessed little kids throwing sauce-drenched pasta, half-eaten chicken strips, forks, knives, straws, crayons, candles, plates, and tantrums. My personal favorite is patrons with split personalities: “What?! The wait is an hour-and-a-half?! This is outrageous! Do you know who I am? This is ridiculous. You have no clue what you’re doing. This is the worst experience ever…” Then, after the meal: “Wow! This was amazing! You’re the best! I’m telling everyone about your restaurant. Can’t wait to come back! Love you!” I’ve seen patrons cry, sob, yell, scream, swear, fight, condescend, and break things.

But I’ve also seen the magic… Fiftieth wedding anniversaries, surprise birthday parties for the mom that never gets recognition, proposals, engagements, puppy love, prom nights, hundred-dollar tips, compliments, and bachelorette parties. I remember this one

particularly inebriated bachelorette who said to me, “Men are like fine wine!” Of course, as an avid wine guy, she caught my attention. She then continued, “They all start off like grapes, and it’s a woman’s job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something we’d like to have dinner with!”

How true…

For those of you seeking a mature wine to have dinner with, I highly suggest looking at fine wines from Italy. There are two that come to mind almost immediately, both from Tuscany. The first is the highest Riserva Chianti from longtime wine producer Ruffino, and the other comes from Tuscan wine royalty Castello Banfi.

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro was first produced in 1947, and is an evolution of Ruffino’s Riserva Ducale. The Oro is appropriately decorated with a beautiful gold label, a replica of the Riserva Ducale label. What makes this wine a significant event on your palate is the length of time it is given as it matures. After malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine is aged about 36 months, first in vats for about 3 months, then in oak casks for about 24 months, and lastly in the bottle for a minimum of 6 months. This wine is absolutely superb, and well worth the price. Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro is one of those hidden treasures in the wine world, winning many accolades in wine competitions but often overshadowed by its neighboring Tuscan competitor to the south: Montalcino.

Brunello di Montalcino is arguably the most sought-after Italian wine in recent history, especially after the 1997 vintage blew the socks off of every wine aficionado on the planet. Castello Banfi has been making award-winning Brunello wines for decades, and the care that is taken when harvesting these special Sangiovese Grosso grapes in the small town of Montalcino is evident in the bottle. Meticulous grape selection is followed by a 10 day wine vinification and subsequently aged for 2 years in oak barrels of various sizes: 350 liter barriques and 60 and 120 hectoliter barrels. Then the wine is aged in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months before it is released. Just when you thought this couldn’t get any better, Banfi also produces a Brunello di Montalcino called Poggio all’Oro which is even more mature version of the Brunello, only aged an extra year in the barrel. Talk about a big wine! It is one of my all-time favorites.

“They all start off like grapes, and it’s a woman’s job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something we’d like to have dinner with!”

South Dakota's delightfully unique winery Enjoy Our Wines: Fruit • Rhubarb • Grape • Honey

Sunday in the Vineyard

September 6th • 2 to 5 pm • Live Music ~ Geoff Gunderson • Wine Bring your lounge/lawn chair, blanket and friends.

Yoga & Wine Evening in the Vineyard

September 10th • 6 pm • Yoga taught by Certifed September 25th • Billy Lurken Yoga Instructors from Sanford Health. Kabob King Food Truck

Harvest Festival

October 3rd • Kabob King Food Truck • Vermillion Brothers 1 to 5 pm Grand A Alpacas, Bounce House, Face Painting, Pumpkin Painting, and Vendors • See website for more details.

Hours: Thursday through Monday: Noon - 6pm 605-582-6471 | wildeprairiewinery.com | 48052 259th St. | Brandon, SD Directions: From I-90 take exit 406 at Brandon, go 1 ½ miles North TASTING TOURS on Highway 11, then West on 259th Street for 1 ½ miles to our winery. SALES

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention three other wines that are made in Italy, only this time in the regions of Piedmont and Valpolicella. Barolo and Barbaresco are the reigning wines of Piedmont, both are huge and aged in oak barrels for years, yielding bold Nebbiolo wines that rival any high-end Napa Cab you’ve ever had. The other is Amarone della Valpolicella. Only the best grapes from this region are hand-harvested and then laid on wooden racks for 3 to 4 months before they’re pressed and doublefermented to create one of the driest wines I’ve ever tasted.

Next time you’re looking for a little more sophistication out of your wine, look no further than your friends in Italy who are making outstanding, mature wines. Carpe Vino!

Riccardo and Marybeth Tarabelsi own R Wine Bar & Kitchen on the East Bank of Downtown Sioux Falls. When they’re not busy taking care of guests at the restaurant, they are busy getting their three sons back to school: Dante (sophomore in college,) Berent (senior in high school,) and Jaxon (junior in high school.) Contact Riccardo at riccardo@rwinebar.com.

• local artists & artisans • handmade jewelry • furniture • photography • stones and crystals • reclaimed & re-imagined pieces • trendy clothing

27102 Albers Ave • Sioux Falls, SD 57108 I-29 Exit 73 then 2 blocks east. Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5:30 • Sat & Sun 10-4