Join us on March 1st from 5 – 7 pm for an outstanding and rare tasting of
five Tre Bicchieri award winning wines!

The Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri (three glass) award is given to wines which are seen by the editors as outstanding, and of the highest quality. Come to Basil T’s on March 1st to enjoy a complimentary tasting of these award winning wines:

Poggio dei Gorleri Cygnus 2010

All the wines being tasted will be available for purchase at special pricing available during this tasting only! As always, this is an open tasting, so no reservations are necessary. Italian cheese and salume will be served.

Victor Rallo Jr.’s book has arrived! Join us for book signings at various local venues, celebrating the release of Victor’s new book, Napoleon Wasn’t Exiled. In this wine and travel journal, Victor recounts his journeys through Italy in 2011, the food he enjoyed, the wines drank, and the people he met. Victor will be signing books available for sale for $29.99. A must read for any wine and food lover!

Join us for the first book signing this Saturday at Sickles Market!

Saturday, February 18 |  Sickles Market , Little Silver NJ.
From 12 – 2 pm, book signing, cheese and wine.
www.sicklesmarket.com

 
Thursday, February 23 | River Road Books, Fair Haven, NJ.
From 7 – 9 pm, book signing, cheese and wine.
www.riverroadbooks.net

Wednesday, February 29 |  Undici Taverna Rustica , Rumson, NJ.
From 6  – 8 pm, book signing, cheese and wine.
www.undicirestaurant.com

 
Thursday, March 1 | Basil T’s, Red Bank, NJ.
From 5 – 7 pm, book signing, cheese and wine.
www.basilt.com

 
Thursday, March 8 | Dearborn Market: Homdel, NJ
From 7 – 9 pm, book signing, cheese and wine
www.dearbornmarket.com

BIG VIC’S 26^th ANNIVERSARY “ROLL BACK” SPECIALS
MONDAY THRU THURSDAY IN MARCH

BIRRE & VINI

Vini di Casa: Vino Rosso – Vino Bianco  $4

Birre: a mug of Award winning house made micro brewed beer  $3

Bevande: Pepsi, seven-up, diet pepsi $1

ANTIPASTI & INSALATE

Caesar: fresh romaine, traditional Caesar dressing shaved Reggiano, ciabatta toast $6

Inverno: mesculin greens, crushed almonds, ceci beans, house made balsamic vinaigrette, provolone  $7

Mozzarella e peperoni: fresh mozzarella and house roasted peppers with ciabatta toast $7

Cozze: fresh black shell mussels, ceci beans, garlic, white wine and extra virgin olive oil $7

Zuppa: house made pea soup with pancetta and grated Pecorino Romano $4

Sicilian Calamari: fresh calamari sautéed with capers, black olives, garlic, tomato, olive oil & toasted ciabatta $7

PIATTI DEL GIORNO

Spaghettini Pesto: House made spaghetti, rapini pesto, broccoli rabe, pignoli nuts, olive oil & Parmigiano Reggiano  $12

Pasta Fagiola: Cannellini and ceci beans, pancetta, San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, basil, Sicilian extra Virgin olive oil and house made ditalini pasta  $11

Spaghettini and Meatball – Big Vic’s Famous meatball slow cooked in Italian tomato Sauce with house made spaghetti  $12

Lasagna al Forno – House made lasagna pasta, layered with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, baked in the oven served with Parmigiano twill  $12

Salsiccia – grilled Italian sausage, with sautéed broccoli rabe and roasted fingerling potato $13

Costata di Manzo: – slow roasted boneless beef short rib, brussel sprouts and Yukon gold potato puree $14

Pollo Francese – Tender chicken cutlet, white wine, capers and lemon with spinach risotto and lemon gremolata $14

Gamberoni: Three Grilled jumbo shrimp marinated in olive oil, over creamy risotto with fresh tomato concassé $14

Salmone: Grilled Fresh Loch Duarte salmon, red and yellow beet salad, sauté fresh spinach  $15

Pizza Napoletana: with DOP Italian tomatoes, mozzarella, provolone, Parmigiano Reggiano, extra virgin olive oil $8

DOLCI

Mini Cannoli: Fresh filled chocolate & traditional cannoli, sweet cream and chocolate curls $4

Tiramisu: “pick me up” Big Vic’s recipe  $4

Torta di Mele: house baked Tuscan apple cake with powdered sugar and fresh cream  $4

Caffé & Tea $1

*Menu subject to change based on seasonal availability

*Please no substitutions

*Gratuity of 18% will be added to parties of 6 or more

Taste the Wines of Tenuta di Tavignano
with Winemaker, Stefano Aymerich di Laconi
February 16th, from 5 – 7 pm

Join us February 16 from 5 – 7 pm for a complimentary tasting of Tenuta di Tavignano wines from the Marche region of Italy!

Taste and talk about the wines from this outstanding producer with Victor Rallo Jr. and special guest, winemaker Stefano Aymerich di Laconi.

Rosso Piceno 2009

Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi, Tavignano 2010

Verdicchio, ‘Misco’, Tavignano 2010 (Tre Bicchieri award winner)

All the wines being tasted will be available for purchase at special pricing available during this tasting only! As always, this is an open tasting, so no reservations are necessary. Italian cheese and salume will be served

Join us Thursday, February 2nd from 5 – 7pm at Basil T’s for a complimentary tasting of these great Primitivo Selections!

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PRIMITIVO………the Working Class Hero

By Bob Rallo

Puglia. A vast open land that’s sunny, dry, hot (almost too hot), but saved by the cool Adriatic breezes. These characteristics create the perfect environment for growing primitivo grapes in abundance. These grapes; a clone of zinfandel; create dark, bold, flavorful wines. Puglia is the second largest wine producing region in the world’s top wine producing country. It has quietly lent a strong loving hand to the lighter, softer red wines of the north. However, over the years, Puglian winemakers have created some outstanding wines of their own; blue collar wines that are not only satisfying, but a great value as well.

Will it have the great tannins and structure of the $100 Nebbiolo wines of Piedmont? No. Will it have the elegance and international flair of a great $100 Super Tuscan blend? No. Will it have the power and age-ability of its neighboring Aglianicos? No. What it does have, is a wine that is rich, ripe, and explosively fruity with high alcohol content. A very satisfying and rewarding wine that you can drink now!

The working class hero gets the job done now, at a great price, and it never disappoints!

Botromagno Primitivo Rosso IGT Puglia 2008

Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Varietals: 100% Primitivo

Primitivo is one of Puglia’s most noble and ancient grape varieties. Benedictine monks first imported it into the area in the early 19th century, probably from Croatia. It is trained exclusively to the bush (alberello) method, and its yield per hectare is by nature quite low. Because of their exposition and elevation, the vineyards exhibit a distinctive personality compared to primitivo vineyards elsewhere in Puglia; the wine is not quite as high in alcohol, although it remains powerful in this respect, and it possesses an elegance and fragrance that set it apart from other wines produced from the same grape.

Tasting Notes: Luminous, deep ruby red, with purplish rim; Bouquet: Fruity aromas of dark cherry, wild cherry, red mulberry, complemented by nuances of vanilla, cinnamon, sage, mint, and tobacco leaf; Palate: Velvety smooth, appealing, with medium-level tannins

Charcuterie, semi-aged cheeses, roast lamb, wild game

Leone de Castris Villa Santera Primitivo 2009

Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Varietals: 100% Primitivo

Cantele Primitivo Rosso 2008

Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Varietals: 100% Primitivo

The color is a lively ruby red with delicate garnet reflections. The bouquet is mineral with undertones of cherries and plums; the finish is of flowers and spices.

Tasting Notes: Soft tannins, good acidity and the soft mouth feel are characteristics of the bounty of Primitivo; which was once a strong and rustic wine and is now one of elegance and nobility. Serve with pasta and meat sauce, red meats including lamb. An ideal partner for medium to well seasoned cheese.

Masseria Altemura Primitivo  2009

Country: Italy
Region: Puglia
Varietals: 100% Primitivo

The wines of Masseria Altemura reflect the Zonin family’s dedication to expressing the utmost respect for the traditions of a given territory, as well as the family’s deep-rooted production philosophy which has always been geared towards promoting and giving new life to indigenous grape varieties. Consequently, in the Salento area, an extraordinary zone which yields wines of both great flavor and charm, the Zonins have sought to highlight the products’ links with vineyards of special quality (the crus) and their interrelationship with the human, historical, cultural and environmental heritage of the area.

Tasting Notes: This wine offers the nose full and intense aromas with hints of plums, jams of red fruits and sweet accents of spices. A wine of a good body; it has a mouth-filling flavor that is warm and soft and expresses a highly mature fruitiness that’s supported by a pleasant complex of sweet tannins.

Join Victor Rallo, Anthony Verdoni “The Wine Professor, and Bobby Rallo as they taste the stunning white wines of Kofererhof Winery in the far north of Italy at this renown white wine producer.

Join us for a special meet and greet tasting with Isabella Oddero!

November 4th, from 5-7pm.

In her long awaited return appearance to Basil T’s, Isabella will be signing bottles, taking pictures, and give us the latest on winemaking in Piemonte. Wines being tasted will be available special pricing, with signed bottles will also available.

The Wines Being Tasted

Langhe Nebbiolo 2008

Barolo 2006

Moscato d’Asti 2010

About Oddero

Oddero Winery was founded in 1878 in the area of Santa Maria, a Hamlet of La Morra. It is definitely one of the oldest producers of Barolo, a family that kept the distinctive traditional style of wine making for over a century. Over the generations, the Oddero family has gradually expanded its vineyards to today’s impressive 60 hectares, many of which lie in the illustrious Barlolo vineyards of Brunate, Rocche di Castiglione, Villero, and Mondoca.

DINE DOWNTOWN 2011

Every Tuesday and Wednesday evening in October, enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner from our Dine Downtown Prix-Fixe menu! Includes your choice of appetizer, entree, and desert from our Dine Downtown menu for just. $30.00

Click Here for Our 2011 Dine Downtown Menu

BBQ is definitely an old world tradition, and a tradition that is alive in all of the USA in the summer months. There is nothing like the smell of grilling meats whether its beef, lamb, veal or pork, that’s your pick! I love to grill porter house steaks. I first apply liberal amounts of a good olive oil to both sides of the steak then I encrust the steak with this great Sardinian sea salt rub that has rosemary, oregano , sea salt and other spices. I get my Weber natural gas grill super hot 600 degrees and I sear the outside of the steaks. After the searing process I turn the heat down and grill the steaks to rare, always let a steak rest for a few minutes after taking it off the grill, then slice it onto a platter and drizzle with olive oil and juice renderings.

This week, I’m delighted to offer a group of Chiantis that call out for something off the grill. These are Chiantis with the kind of presence, spiciness and structure that highlights the rustic, crunchy, almost primal taste of grilled food. So much of Italian life and cuisine is about grabbing those moments that you can eat outside and enjoy Italian wines with their acidity, their flavor, and their gusto are perfect partners for food you make and eat al fresco. So fire up your grill, throw something tasty on it, cook it with attention and care, and enjoy one of these Chiantis. It’ll make you fall in love with your grill all over again.

This is a complimentary tasting, so no reservations are necessary.

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Featured Chiantis

Donna Laura Bramosia Chianti Classico 2007
85% Sangiovese 15% Merlot
Bramosia means “desire” in Italian and as artist Rik Olsen has illustrated on the label, the underlying theme here is romance. Bacchus and Venus make great company, but the magic begins only when Cupid strikes. He is the fundamental ingredient in any romance, just like Sangiovese is the key component in Chianti Classico. The acidity of Sangiovese and the fruit of merlot make this a summer BBQ favorite.
Bottle – $12.99
6-Pack – $75.00

Farnatella Chianti Colli Senesi 2007
92% Sangiovese, 8% Merlot
The Farnetella area is a unique micro-district, as a glance at a map will show: southeast of Chianti Classico, north of Montalcino, and almost bordering on the production area of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. While the classic Chianti cherry and dusty earth are tasted in the foreground the licorice and anise overtones are apparent only in Farnatella style.
Bottle – $14.99
6-Pack – $86.00

Palladio Chianti DOCG 2008
90% Sangiovese 5% Merlot & Syrah
Palladio was the name of an architect from Venice who created many innovative designs during the Renaissance. This modern twist on a classic is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 5% each of Merlot and Syrah that is vinified and matured entirely in stainless steel tanks. Bright ruby-red in color, Palladio Chianti offers inviting aromas of ripe black cherries and wild berries with undertones of tobacco and black pepper. Fresh and easy going on the palate, this Chianti offers soft, integrated tannins, refreshing acidity and a generous finish. This is the wine of choice for barbecued fare.
Bottle – $12.99
6-Pack – $75.00

Luiano Chianti Classico DOCG 2009
90% Sangiovese 5% Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
This Chianti classico is refined in oak for six months. Brilliant Ruby red in color with purple hints. On the tongue you taste Raspberry, Cherry, Violet Flower and Tea Leaves. This Chianti is Robust, Meduim bodied and fruity. An excellent compliment to grilled sausage.
Bottle – $14.99
6-Pack – $86.00

La Mozza I Perazzi Morellino Di Scansano 2009
85% Morellino (the local name for Sangiovese in Maremma) 5% Syrah, 5% Alicante, 2% Colorino, 3% Ciliegiolo
Perazzi, the foundation of the La Mozza winery, was created to be unlike most typical Morellino di Scansano. The blend, which includes Mediterranean varieties, is more expressive and better demonstrates the potential of Maremma’s terroir. I Perazzi is named after the pear-like fruit that grow on our estate and are depicted on the label.
Bottle – $13.99
6-Pack – $80.00

Thanks to all who came out for our Summer Whites Tasting! Click here or on the picture below to view the photo gallery from the event.

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