Balera

what would you drink?

Balera, a newish, fantastic pizza+ restaurant on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn, has a stellar, intriguing list.

Don’t expect these wines to be available when you go, because Oliviero Lucchetti is selling lots of bottles and these shots were from late April, shortly after opening.

(By the way, Oli is hosting what should be a joyous tasting with friends of his. It will be called Brindisi, June 15/16 with a rollicking dinner with the winemakers on the 16th. Check it out)

The wine prices are reasonable and if you want to dump a lot of money, you’ll delight in the offerings. And if you have less to spend you will not suffer.

Here are three random and out of date pages from the growing list. And the rosé? Completely eye-catching with the unexpected.

Take a look at the Praesidium Cerasuolo. From Abruzzo: dark and infinitely interesting. Tecce, volcanic wine on steroids. Great call. But I love them and know them and I was into tasting something new.

Sonia Gambino’s Gustinella? Oli said, “You don’t know her? Well you have to.” And that’s the way it went.

She’s newish. Started in 2020. Situated in Maletto which is about 23km west of Cave Ox wine bar, a little north of Bronte, famous for Pistachios (where she was born but not bred). The wine comes from a single high-elevation plot, 1300 meters up This is a field blend of about ten varieties, all fermented in stainless. Use of sulfur is minimal. And we were so very happy with the wine that I want to taste everything she makes. Rosé drinkers, seek it out. It’s cherry-ful with a color like a delicate rusty nail tea—and the saltiness to match.

And what would you drink?

Take a look above. Fancy names up there and rare, like the Mascarello. Not the Barolo but the Barbera; don’t see that around a whole lot.

The glorious 2014 Canonica. Oh, how I loved that vintage. But alas, I can only drink it if you’re paying.

However I will not complain about that very pretty Chiussuma. I adore that wine and also Nebbiolo. Besides, I’m a sucker for the dramatic, steep slopes of Carema. But the Bramaterra— ah— there we go.

Choices, choices!

I adore Antoniotti and haven’t had the 2019. But if you haven’t had the Santuvario Rosso—-it’s a beauty and made by beautiful souls too. (And don’t we all just love Alto Piemonte?)

And finally? A more modestly priced page, also with a variety of vintages—commendable in far too many lists with nothing older than 2024. The Sangiovese drinker will be happy. But for me? I’m going north. I love the wines of Valtellina, where perhaps the original Nebbiolo (here called Chiavennasca) is from.

The 2024 Marco Ferrari. Rosso. $128 is awfully appealing but I do not know the Terrazzi Altri wines, and one with a little age on it? $90? That’s the one I’d go for. Have you had it? If so, please let me know.

Yes please.

And you? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section!