SIMON HOGGART
THIS is a particularly exciting mini-bar: fine Italian
wines from the admirable John Armit company of Notting Hill. They'll be holding a tasting of these and other wines from 5.30 p.m. to , 7.30 p.m. in their offices on Tuesday I July. They've also arranged a special meal that night at a discounted price for Spectator readers at the near by Ark restaurant, which specialises in superb Italian cuisine. The three-course menu costs £25 for the food. Yum. I hope to be there, Book for the tasting — which is free — and the dinner, through Armit's: 020 7908 0660.
All the wines are heavily discounted, starting with the gorgeous Soave Classico Superiore 200110 from Stefano Inama. Forget ordinary watery Soave: this is fat and luscious, soft and velvety, with a taste of plump pears. It's reduced to just £9.33.
Gianni Voerzio's Arneis 200112) from Roero in the Piedmont is made from a grape — Arneis — which has recently been revived, to remarkable effect. I love this aromatic, almondy, peachy taste — full-flavoured yet supple. The £10.75 price
is £1.25 off.
Armit's own brand Italian Red 2001(s) is a superb Tuscan red — better, 1 think, than most Chianti Classicos. GiuseppeMaria Sesti makes a single dedicated hogshead every year for Armit's. The result is scrumptious and will whisk you to dinner on a verandah overlooking the hills and the cedar trees as the evening begins to cool. . Elisabetta Foradori's Rotaliano 2001(41 is made from Teroldego, a grape which is grown only in a minute area of the Trentino. It is wonderfully rich and complex, including flavours of cherries and damsons and smoke. The £10.33 is a £1 reduction.
Finally, and not in the sample case, a lovely summery rose — Rosato from the Castello di Ama 2002(5). This is made from the Chianti grape. Sangiovese, and is the Armit staffs favourite wine. The price is a £1.25 discount.
Delivery is free, and if you live within the M25 there's a further 5 per cent off for 36 bottles or more. I do hope you can come to the tasting, and the dinner too.
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