WTN: Castel Noarna Lagrein

Castel Noarna 2012 Vigneti delle Dolomiti Rosso, Lagrein, "Cimber." 12%, $27, imported by Selection Massale. We wanted something like this to go with our annual (approximately) May Day meal of salumi, young pecorino, and favas, and this did the trick well. A savory, meaty push and a floral pull, lifted by acidity, deliciously juicy and mouthwatering, enough grip to hold your attention but not enough to distract. Sort of like a Gamay that's been working night shifts in the abbatoir. I'd buy a bunch more for this spring and summer if we weren't moving...

...May Day meal of...favas..

Nice. I loved favas when in Berkeley and also in the North East. I mean they are delicious in their own right, but it was also an easier and cheaper way to get a similar spring-time hit as peas. Unfortunately neither are very plentiful in the NC farmers markets. (Although we will get some peas for a bit, but never favas)

These were from California. We typically get local favas for a period of 2-3 weeks in late May or June, but it's not usually warm enough for them to mature in the Midwest in time for May Day.

When the stars align and we manage to get some local artichokes before the chefs grab them all, we make a vignarola (a Roman-style stew of artichokes, peas, favas, and new potatoes, with copious olive oil) with local produce. Usually just manage it once a year, but it's (late) spring in a bowl.