NB:This has already been posted. Unfortunately (I'll blame jet lag), I posted everything under "Wines in France." Even I know Liguria isn't in France. I'm reposting to up the odds that Luk, Mike, or Fillipo will see (Nils was also there, but I figure he is more likely to read "wines in France" post) . I'm hoping they will correct any nomenclature mistakes, and tell me how wrong I am about the wines (I find disagreement much more stimulating than agreement!).
After a gorgeous drive through the Rhone-Alps region, Val'Aoste, and Piedmont (ok, the Piedmont part wasn't gorgeous, we were east of Alba), we had dinner Friday at Agrodolce in Imperia. Tasting menu with very good seafood- eggplant/pepper flan with mussels, a crudo of white fish (hake?) , baccala, calamari stuffed with buffalo mozzarella, clams in a squid ink with pasta, plus another white fish with couscous and fried leeks. Very good food, though the staff was a bit overwhelmed this night. Filippo and Luca chose the wines:
2006 Terre Rosse Pigato- bright, minerally, with a real core of fruit. I kind of expected a good Ligurian white to be very light and high acid, but this is more structured. Good acids, but not sharp. Lots of depth and minerality, I'm quite impressed. Probably my favorite bottle of the trip. A-/B+(?) Neris Pinot Grigio Ordered because they were out of this producer's Tocai Friulano. Perfectly acceptable inoffensive white, but lacking the interest of its table companions. A little too round for me. C+/B-
2005 Arcagna Rossese di Dolceacqua Bright red fruit, a little pine undertone, medium length. Develops nicely over an hour or two. Someone says it's like a good Nuits St George- not quite to my tastes, but it would do very well in a contest of Mercurey 1ers. B+Very fine night with nice people! I'll also note that the Relais San Damian that Mike suggested is maybe the most beautiful inn/B&B/hotel I've ever stayed in. Highly recommended (as is Agrodolce)
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency