M'tucci's Montepulciano Arrives
/We’re pretty excited to share this incredible wine with you! When M’tucci’s Partners John Haas and Austin Leard visited California last summer to find a supplier for the next vintage of our wines, they found the “Mother Lode” in Gold Country. Amador County is where the famous 1849 California Gold Rush took place.
They knew they wanted to create a blend for a new Rosso (which arrived a week ago), but they also were determined to find a single varietal that would stand out and pair perfectly with our food.
“As a single varietal, the Montepulciano was far and above the best we sampled directly from the barrel during our visit to the winery. It’s very rich, well aged and features balanced tannins,” said Austin.
If you are a fan of Italian wines, don’t confuse the Montepulciano grape with the town of the same name. The hill town of Montepulciano is in Southern Tuscany and is known for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is predominantly made with the Sangiovese grape. Some wine writers have suggested that the two grapes are related, but there is no scientific evidence to prove this. Ironically, the Montepulciano grape is not grown in the vineyards surrounding Montepulciano.
A shop in the town of Montepulciano, Italy
The Montepulciano grape is the second most widely planted grape in Italy after Sangiovese. Vineyards range from Emilia Romagna north of Tuscany to Puglia in the heel of Italy’s boot. The most popular examples are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from the Abruzzo region in east-central Italy. The Italian wines made with this grape are known for low acidity and soft tannins. The same description applies to the Amador County grape.
The sun-baked hills of the Eastern Sierra Mountains features a micro-climate of warm days and cool nights, perfect for producing a wine with character and balance.
Compare it to the Rosso on your next visit. My wife and I had both with a Pepperoni & Green Chile Pizza at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and we had a hard time picking a favorite. Both had a nice balance and interesting fruit flavors on their own, then became a bit richer when paired with the pizza.
Twinkie d’ Italia
It’s hard to improve on a classic, but Executive Pastry Chef Brianna Dennis found a way. Beginning today, the new and improved Twinkie d’ Italia is available at all locations.
New Brunch Menu at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Saturday & Sunday 11:00 - 3:00
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli: Three Mushroom/Ricotta (Portabella, Crimini & Porcini), Caramelized Onion, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Herbed Balsamic Cream Sauce with Local Lions Mane Mushrooms $23
16 oz Hand Cut NY Strip: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $31
Pan-Seared Ruby Trout: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $25
Sackett Farms Braised Pork Shank: Braised in Rosemary & White Wine over Creamy Polenta, Braised Carrots, Potatoes in a Tomatillo Sauce $25
Weekend Cocktail
M’tucci’s Bramble: Beefeater Gin, Mixed Berries, Peppermint Leaves, Gunpowder Tea Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice
M’tucci’s Moderno
6 oz Certified Black Angus Beef Tenderloin: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $34
Pan-Seared Icelandic Cod: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roast Artichoke, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $22
Shrimp Diavolo: Shrimp, Caramelized Onion, Capers, Green Chile, White Wine Marinara Sauce $19
Weekend Cocktail
Femminello: Duke Bourbon, Apple Liqueur, House Made Cinnamon Syrup and Fresh Lemon Juice
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Hand Cut 12 oz. NY Strip Steak: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $29
Pan-Seared Icelandic Cod: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Seared Artichokes, Lemon Butter, Capers $22
Duck Risotto: Seared Duck Breast, Red Beet Mascarpone Risotto, Sautéed Spinach, Garnished with a Mint/Vanilla Oil $21
Weekend Cocktail
Port of Call: Bombay Sapphire Gin, Ruby Port, Blackberry Shrub Purée, Allspice Dram, Fresh Lemon Juice
Live Music for October at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Moderno
Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30
10/22
Lani Nash @ Moderno
10/28
Melissa Rios @ Moderno
RJ Perez @ 25
10/29
Cali Shaw @ Moderno
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao.
