The Tasting Panel magazine

August 2012

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/76623

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 21 of 128

A Window on the World of Wine Y ou know you've got a Riesling fan on your hands when they attest that 5,000 bottles of a 6,000- bottle personal cellar are devoted to the variety. Master Sommelier Nunzio Alioto Sr., owner and President of Alioto-Lazio Fish Company and the eponymous Alioto's restaurant, which has served fresh, local seafood to Fisherman's Wharf visitors and locals alike for more than 87 years, did just that. Alioto caters to a wide-ranging, international audience and has what amounts to a "window on the world" of destination wine consumption trends in San Francisco. "I would only characterize about 20 percent of our customers as 'wine enthusi- asts,'" said Alioto. "The majority are looking for comfort factor and the remainder are destination diners who have little or no interest in wine." Consequently, Alioto's list is built around recognizable brand names and peppered with the extraordinary to mirror the demographics of his clientele. He credits American consumers as being his most discerning and knowledgeable customers, particularly when it comes to New World wines. Naturally, Chardonnay and aromatic whites are popular at Alioto's, but there has been a notable a shift in red wine consumption. "Cabernet Sauvignon was king, but Pinot Noir is now equal to and surpassing it in popularity," he observes. "People are moving away from heavy, tiring reds and looking for crisp, unoaked wines that have bright, rich fruit without being over extracted." Regulars look to Alioto for discoveries, including North Coast Pinot Noirs from wineries like Drew, Brewer-Clifton and Tyler, along with light, fresh styles from Italy and Spain. As for the extraordinary, the best kept secrets here are the house wines, which are made by Santa Barbara wine- maker Jim Clendenen at Au Bon Climat. Alioto buys barrels directly from the winemaker and passes along the quality and value directly to his unsuspecting clientele. —Deborah Parker Wong Nunzio Alioto Sr., owner and President of Alioto's in San Francisco. Discover WAVE™ Baja, a delicious explosion of sweet lime and tropical flavor that brings an irresistible twist to any drink. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY ©2012 WAVE™ FLAVORED VODKA 30% ALC/VOL (60 PROOF) BOTTLED BY BARTON DISTILLING COMPANY, LOUISVILLE, KY. PRODUCT OF USA. 9916_wave_tasting_panel.indd 1 august 2012 / the tasting panel / 21 7/17/12 1:30 PM PHOTO: DEBORAH PARKER WONG)

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - August 2012