BAR PRIMI
RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!
A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Josh Ardizzoni, Certified Sommelier and wine consultant.
JA: Hey Robert! Happy to be here :)
RT Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.
We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that those lists can sometimes be intimidating and even a little daunting.
Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list with confidence, find those hidden gems, value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.
RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.
RT: Today we talk about one of the most fun Italian food and wine experiences in New York – Bar Primi.
JA: Robert, excited for this one – few things are closer to a Somm’s heart than a small, eclectic wine list that’s totally on-brand and full of discoveries.
RT: I hear that! Bar Primi is such a joyful little spot – co-owner Chef Andrew Carmellini is sort of the ambassador for exactly this kind of experience. It’s focused on “Primi” which are the “appetizer” courses of the traditional Italian meal, including all the antipasti offerings and, of course, pasta.
JA: Who needs anything more in their life? Maybe a great steak once in a while… but I think I could eat and drink like this every night of the week and just be blissed out all the time.
RT: Hah, that’s good. So, at a glance, what’s the vibe on the wine list here?
JA: It’s pretty immediately obvious that the theme here is casual and fun Italian wines, mostly from emerging regions and almost all representing tremendous value. The restaurant wants you to drink in a very specific way, which is in lockstep with the more convivial mood of the place.
RT: What do you mean when you talk about emerging regions?
JA: Well, in wine terms, Italy is a huge and diverse country – thousands of different indigenous grape varieties, varied climates from north to south and from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic coast, wines from the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, just so much to discover. Like, old school Chianti is classic and great in many ways, but there’s so much more to see.
RT: Cool. What do you like?
JA: On this list there is representation from way up in Alto Adige near the Swiss border, like the subtle and inviting Schiava from Alois Lageder, one of northern Italy’s greatest winemakers. There is also wine ranging from way down near the bottom of the boot in Basilicata – a robust Aglianico (that’s the grape by the way) that is more full-bodied, rich and tannic, in this case from the Grifalco winery. Two great wines, two immensely different styles, and so affordable you can try them both side by side.
RT: What are some other highlights, maybe some under-the-radar bottles that can really deliver?
JA: For white – I’m going with the Ronchi di Cialla Ribolla Gialla. It’s a mouthful of Italian words to say but this wine is so darn good. It’s from Friuli in the Northeast, and the Ribolla grape is sort of like Pinot Grigio’s way more interesting cousin. Dry, racy, floral, but also complex and textural. Red wine – I’m either thinking Girolamo Russo’s Etna Rosso from Sicily, which has really striking fruit paired with a great cutting texture, sort of the hallmark for modern Sicilian reds. Or if I’m in the mood for something more stately I’d go with the San Polino Brunello di Montalcino. One of the most expensive tickets on the menu, but still really approachable as Brunello goes. They are an organic and biodynamic producer that gets it totally right.
RT: Sounds like plenty of different directions to take, even though the selection is concise.
JA: They are always featuring great little gems from these smaller Italian regions. This is the state of Italian wine today – it’s more exciting than ever and you can literally never run out of new wines to try. I recommend Bar Primi as a place to do some more research.
RT: Josh Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Bar Primi’s wine list.
To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules. If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@corkrules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.
We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.
And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.
Thank you.
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