The wine list

Restaurant-Pasta e Vino

This month on the wine list we visit Pasta e Vino situated in Cerro Concepcion, Valparaiso and talk to the manager and first year sommelier student Paolo about, of course, wine and pasta.

• When did Pasta e Vino first open?

We opened in september 2003

• How many tables do you have and what is the capacity of the restaurant?

There are 12 tables and the restaurant has a capacity for 35 people

• Is it true that you have to reserve a month in advance for a table?

Its true, with respect to the weekends, but you are more likely to get a table during the week without having to book.

• Do you have a somellier?

I act as the Somellier in terms of what we buy and how we store, but we basicly let the customer, who knows what they want choose. We offer advice when it is needed.

• Are there certain types of wine chosen for certain dishes or dishes for wines?

No, what we try to do is have a large selection of grape varieties to choose from which should complement the dishes.

• What wines do you serve by the glass?

We serve 6 by the glass, 3 whites chardonny and Sauvignon Blanc and 3 reds Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Caménere.

• How many reds do you have in relation to the amount of whites?

48 Reds and 13 Whites

• Do you sell late harvest?

We do, but its not sold that much

• Do you use a specific provider for your wines?

We use a variety of providers and we by direct from some vineyards such as Errazuriz and Concha y Torro that´s how we are able to have a large variety of wines in stock.

• Are all your wines Chilean?

Yes

• If you had access to wines from other countries what would they be?

Maybe some Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and perhaps Bordeaux, also some Italian varieties.

But we are happy with the varieties we have and with the varied Chilean climate there will be more introduced.

Here are three dishes recomended by Paolo accompanied by three wines from the Pasta e Vino wine list.

Dish 1
Sea food Spaghitti.

Wine 1
Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Casa Marin, laurel vineyard
Año: 2007
Taste: Very fresh, crisp and mineral
Price:$ 17.000


Dish 2
Duck Ravioli in a port and plum sauce.

Wine 2
Nebbiolo
90% Nebbiolo 10 % Carignan
Vineyard: Botalcura, Maule valley
Year: 2005
Taste: Good acid, good tanins, long taste and full bodied, a unique taste.
Price: $27.000



Dish 3
Pumpkin Ravioli with dried and fresh tomatos, goats cheese and Basil.

Wine 3
Carmenere
Vineyard: Errazuriz, Acocagua valley
Year: 2005
Taste: Dark fruits , good body and structure which complements the tomato and goats cheese.
Price: $16.500