Italian Wine's Path to Excellence
/In the years after the end of WWII, Italy was rebuilding and the wine industry was no exception. In the 50s and 60s, Italian wine suffered from few rules and wine makers more concerned with quantity, rather than quality.
Inspired by the French wine regulatory system which that country created in the 1930s, the Italian government created the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) in 1963.
When DOC appears on the label, the wine comes from a narrowly defined area and with very specific requirements such as: permissible grape varieties, maximum yield per hectare, and aging requirements.
Eventually, four classifications were created. The highest has the most stringent production rules: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), followed by DOC, then Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT), which are given to wines produced in specific areas. The broadest and lowest classification is Vino da Tavola.
Classifications and protection of food products, such as olive oil and cheese, were put in place in 1996. We will cover the Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) and which products are given DOP status and protection in a future La Gazzetta.
The DOCG classification has more regulations to follow, including type of grapes, maximum yields, minimum alcohol and acid levels and regimented aging requirements. A local consortium of growers decides what characteristics a specific wine must have.
However, there are highly prized (and priced) wines that have the IGT designation but not the DOC or DOCG designation. Most notably are the growers in the area around Bolgheri in Western Tuscany.
Some of the top producers in the area, notably Angelo Gaja (who originally had vineyards in the Piedmont making Barolo and Barbaresco) and Piero Antinori, resolved to make wines of distinction and rebelled against the rigid Chianti standards of 70-80% Sangiovese and created what became known as Super Tuscans. These wines blended Sangiovese with Cabernet and/or Merlot according to the wine maker’s tastes and were not eligible for the Chianti designation. However, their quality caught on with wine writers and critics, and soon became wildly popular with wine lovers - at least those who could afford the prices these special wines commanded.
Antinori created Tignanello, the most well-known and one of the most expensive wines from Tuscany. I shared a bottle with friends in Italy a few years ago and it was sublime (I’ll leave the snooty wine adjectives to wine writers).
While it’s easy to recognize the DOCG and the DOC wines by the band around the neck of the bottle, IGT wines usually have the full name somewhere on the front or back label. Look for all classifications at all M’tucci’s locations.
Five Course Cocktail Pairing Dinner - Thursday, February 9 @ 6:30 @ M’tucci’s Italian
Book and Prepay Online by clicking here.
Valentine’s Day Menus
Every location will have a special Valentine’s Day Dessert created by Chef Brianna and M’tucci’s Pastry Palace
Cherry Shortcake Entremet: Cherry Morello Mousse, Vanilla Cake, Cherry Compote, Vanilla Cherry Shortcake Crumble, Velvet Cocoa Cookie, Limoncello Cherries
M’tucci’s Moderno
6 oz. Filet, Herb Roasted Carrots, Port Beurre Rouge, Roasted Purple Potatoes
Lemon Pistachio Crusted Ruby Trout, Warm Orzo Salad, Spinach, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Garlic Tarragon Bearnaise
Pan Seared MonkFish, Roasted Artichoke, Garlic Sauteed Broccolini, Mashed Potatoes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Smoked Prosciutto Powder
24 oz Porterhouse, Salsa Verde, Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Garlic Sauteed Broccolini
Lobster Ravioli, Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Lobster Cream Sauce
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass, Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Seared Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce
Ahi Tuna & Scallop, Fresh Mango, Braised Heirloom Carrots, Roasted Turnips, Saffron White Balsamic Reduction
Fried Oysters- Nduja Aioli, Fresh Orange, Marinated Fennel, Spring Mix
Bison Short ribs, Braised Root Vegetables, Smoked Tomato Mostarda,Sauteed Spinach, Roasted Fennel Farrotto
Brodetto (Cioppino), Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, White Wine Tomato Brodo. Served With M’tucci’s garlic bread
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
We will have a Prix Fixe menu for couples, in addition to our regular menu. The meal begins with a Strawberry Spritz, then a choice of one of the three appetizers, and one of the three entrees, and finally share the dessert. Each couple has a choice of a bottle of M’tucci’s Private Label Wine.
Appetizers
Pesce Fresco: California Halibut, EVOO, Microgreens, Citrus Reduction, Passion Fruit Pearls.
Charcuterie: 2 Year Prosciutto, Double Cream Brie, Onion Mostarda, M’tucci’s Sourdough Bread.
Insalata d’arte: Shredded Purple Kale, M’tucci’s Vinaigrette, Pecorino Romano, Garlic Butter Toasted Bread Crumbs.
Entrees
Ravioli di Mare: Butter Poached Sugar Snap Peas, Slipper Lobster, Pink Patagonian Shrimp, 5 Cheese Ravioli, Pancetta and Lobster Brodo, Shaved Parmsaean, Microgreens.
Osso Buco Bianco: Milk Braised Pork Shank, Rosemary Polenta, Braised Greens, Parsley Glass, Cacio Di Roma.
Melanzana Ragu: Cold Smoked and Roasted Eggplant Ragu, Roasted Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Red Wine, M’tucci’s Rigatoni, Fresh Herbs, Pecorino.
Dessert: Vanilla Vodka Mousse, Morello Cherry Compote, Chocolate Glaze, Dark Chocolate Brownie, Pine Nuts, Caramelized Rice Puffs.
Explora Science of Wine
M'tucci's will be at Science of Wine at Explora in February! Join us for charcuterie bites at this 21+ only event complete with tastings, cash bars, hands-on wine-themed activities, and all of Explora at your fingertips! Tickets are pre-sale only and can be purchased at:
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Calabrian Chile/Ricotta filled Ravioli, Sautéed Pink Shrimp, Cockle Clams, Asparagus, Capers, Lemon Cream Sauce, Pecorino & Fennel Sprouts $27
24 oz. Hand Cut T-Bone: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $39
Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $31
Braise - Rosemary Pineapple Braised Sackett Farm Pork Belly: Creamy Risotto, Carrots, Green Peas, Red Pepper Pineapple Relish $29
Weekend Cocktail -
Jalisco Fuego - Exotico Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Muddled Cucumber, Hot Honey Syrup
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz. Ribeye - Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $39
Pan-Seared Corvina Sea Bass - Roasted Artichoke, Braised Escarole, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $29
Entree Special: Balsamic Glazed Pan Seared Chicken, Fresh Linguine Pasta Tossed with Sun Dried Tomato, Spinach, Broccolini, Butter and Garlic $21
Weekend Cocktail
The Stuff - Slow and Low coffee liqueur, Hazelnut and Peanut Butter Liqueur, half & half, vanilla syrup, Oreo cookie rim . $8
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
9 oz. Black Angus Picanha - Grilled Broccolini, Whipped Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Blackberry bone Marrow Butter $32
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $42
Pan-Seared Lamb Loin Chops: Haricot Vert, Wild Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Porcini Risotto, Truffle Butter $42
Weekend Cocktail
Key Lime Pie - Absolut Vanilla vodka, Liquid Alchemist Coconut, Fresh Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice, Half & Half, Graham Cracker Rim
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Whiskey & Apple Wood Smoked Elk Chops: Rosemary Risotto with Shrub Fruit and Red Beet Puree, Grilled Asparagus, Apricot Mostarda $39
Pan-Seared California Halibut - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Arugula with Garlic, Seared Stem-on Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $37
Weekend Cocktail
Purple Maize - El Tesoro Tequila, Dos Hombres Mezcal, Nixta Corn Licor, Cassis del Dijon, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup
Live Music for January & February
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30. Sunday noon-2pm
1/29 Xandra
2/1 Alex Maryol
2/5 Gilbert Uribe
2/8 Nathan Fox
2/12 RJ Perez
2/15 Shane Wallin
2/19 Lani Nash
2/22 Eryn Bent
2/26 Shane Wallin
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30
1/27 Lani Nash
2/2 Eryn Bent
2/3 Gilbert Uribe
2/9 Alex Maryol
2/10 Lani Nash
2/16 RJ Perez
2/17 Matt Jones
2/23 Shane Wallin
2/24 Justin Nuñez
M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30
1/27 John Martinez
2/2 Lani Nash
2/3 RJ Perez
2/9 Shane Wallin
2/10 Justin Nuñez
2/16 Matt Jones
2/17 Eryn Bent
2/23 Alex Maryol
2/24 Javier Ortega
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
