Notes from the Underground (cellar) Special Edition
with Sommelier Michael Garofola

Have dinner with Master Sommelier Richard Betts as we explore the wines of Ar Pe Pe – the ‘Romanee Conti’ of the Valtellina.  Join us this Sunday, October 9th at 6pm.

Not to be confused with…

Richard comes from the long tradition of highly-educated people whose passion for food and wine draws them to the restaurant business from drier pursuits like law or respiratory therapy.  After graduating with a master’s in, ahem, Paleofluvialmorphology (not making this up), Richard started in the wine business at Janos, one of Tucson’s most revered restaurants. He later moved onto The Little Nell in Aspen and while there passed the Master Sommelier exam in his first try.  This is quite a feat, when only nine others prior to him have such an accomplishment.  He’s widely considered to be one of the great wine professionals in the US, and our dinner is a rare opportunity to be able to break bread with the best of the best.

For certain, Richard will be a pleasure to have at the dinner table, as he is bringing with him some very exciting wines!! He will be showcasing some of the wines he imports from the Valtellina region in Lombardia, a region which is a champion of alpine Nebbiolo.  This area produces wines with expressions that are more elegant and feminine than the Nebbiolos made in Piedmonte to the west. Richard will be pouring wines from Ar Pe Pe (Arturo Pelizzatti Pelego), which is widely considered to be the benchmark producer in Valtellina.

This is Ar Pe Pe. Note how the vines shoot straight up behind the cellar . . .

This is where they’re going . . .

David and Daniel will be presenting a special five course menu to be paired with these wines. $120 per person covers all food and wine but excludes gratuity. For further information or to make a reservation please contact Michael at Michael@genoarestaurant.com or call(503)238-1464. Hope to see you there!