Wine With Wanda

A Timeless Taste of Tuscany: The Wines of Cecchi

When your family has been making quality wine since 1893, it takes an extraordinary amount of work and dedication to maintain such an impressive legacy. But perhaps more than anything, winemaking at this level requires passion without limits. This passion fuels the Cecchi brothers, Andrea and Cesare, as they guide their family through another era of extraordinary winemaking where tradition and innovation co-exist beautifully. 

I recently had the pleasure of sharing wine and conversation with Andrea Cecchi during one of his whirlwind visits to New York. The quintessential Tuscan gentleman, Andrea has an elegant but approachable demeanor and Cecchi wines also exude grace, warmth, and openness. 



La Mora Vermentino 2014 ($19.99)
Tuscany is known throughout the world for exceptional red wines but don't ignore the whites. Cecchi produces this pretty Vermentino in the coastal Maremma region.  Vibrant and refreshing with perky citrus and floral notes, La Mora Vermentino is Tuscan sunshine in a glass. A perfect apéritif and an absolutely winning match with seafood. 

La Mora Morellino di Scansano 2013 ($22.99)
Everyone who loves Chianti should give Morellino di Scansano a swirl to experience a different expression of the Sangiovese grape. Morellino is the local name for Sangiovese in the Maremma region and Scansano is a village in the region. Maremma's gentle sea breezes and diverse soils nurture grapes with soft tannins. Soft and round with hints of red cherry, this juicy red from the Maremma region is easy elegance personified. Pair with pasta, meat, and even a burger. 


Cecchi Chianti Classico 2014 ($20.99)
Look closely at the label of this bottle and you will see gold script that says "Storia di Famiglia" - family history. This is the vino that tells the Cecchi story to wine lovers around the world. Well-structured with a rustic elegance, this wine really captures the essence of Chianti Classico with its earthiness and flavors of dark cherries. Pair with hearty dishes and sharp cheeses. 2016 marks the 300th anniversary of Chianti Classico and a bottle of Cecchi is a delicious way to celebrate the occasion. 



Cecchi Chianti Classico Riserva di Famiglia 2013 ($40.99)
Refined and nuanced, Cecchi only produces this wine in years that the grape harvest is of the highest quality. Aged for 14 months in oak casks before bottling and then bottle-aged for another 4 months before release, the Sangiovese grows in richness and complexity. As the wine breathes, it opens up to reveal gorgeous flavors of rich cherries, black currants, and plums that are balanced by a touch of spice and earth. This is the wine I would reach for when eating a rare and juicy Porterhouse steak/Bistecca Fiorentina. 



Cecchi COEVO 2011 ($105.99)
This wine holds a very special meaning for the Cecchi brothers because it was inspired by their late father, Luigi. Signore Cecchi was enamored of the Maremma region and COEVO (which means contemporary) combines the more modern style of the Maremma wines with the classic techniques of Chianti Classico. This outstanding tribute is a blend of Sangiovese combined with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. COEVO is full-bodied but elegant and silky with impressive freshness, minerality, and balance - it will elevate every meal to a higher level. A wonderful match with roasts, braised & grilled meats, and aged cheeses.

It was such an honor to share these wines with Andrea Cecchi. Cecchi's excellent wines certainly speak for themselves but our conversation reminded me of wine's unique ability to create a bridge between people of different cultures. The world needs more of that. Cheers! 



P.S. If you're planning a trip to Tuscany, Cecchi welcomes visitors at Villa Cerna in the heart of Chianti Classico and at Val delle Rose in the Maremma (I was at the Maremma winery last year and it is stunning!)
 

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Living it Up in Las Vegas

I know they say "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" but, since I'm amongst friends, I'm going to share SOME highlights from my whirlwind weekend in Sin City (hey, a girl has to keep something to herself!) When yours truly was recently invited to enjoy a weekend in Vegas as a guest of the Monte Carol Resort & Casino, I packed my little black dresses and hopped a flight quicker than you could say Elvis has left the building!

Monte Carlo Resort & Casino

Yes, I have visited Las Vegas before but things in this town happen so fast that I knew I was guaranteed to see something shiny and new. In fact, the blingiest thing on the Strip right now is the City Center (a multi-billion dollar gaming, dining, hotel and retail complex). Conveniently, the Monte Carlo is a gateway to City Center via a high-tech & futuristic free 3 minute tram ride.

My Vegas weekend included tasty food, stellar entertainment, and even a little pampering. Time stands still in Vegas and sleep is an afterthought, so a weekend here is equivalent to 4 days anyplace else. Here are a few places worth adding to your itinerary on your next trip to Vegas.

Where to Stay

If unpretentious luxury is what you desire, then book your room at the Monte Carlo With rates as low as $59 per night, you will have plenty of money left over for FUN!  While not as glitzy as some of the other Vegas hotels, the Monte Carlo boasts spacious and comfortable rooms and many amenities. Book a poolside cabana, get your latte fix at the on-site Starbucks, or relax with a spa treatment (I highly recommend the Refreshed & Radiant Facial to erase the signs of jet lag. It is a well-spent $70 for 25 minutes of beauty bliss and wonderful conversation with a lovely facialist named Flower.)

Standard room at the Monte Carlo
 

If you want hotel accommodations with more Vegas sparkle, swankiness awaits you at Hotel 32 on the 32nd floor of the Monte Carlo. This boutique hotel within the Monte Carlo opened about a year ago after a fire ravaged the 32nd floor. Rising from the ashes like a sidelined showgirl who knows the show must go on, the sexy Hotel 32 emerged and its fifty rooms include suites, studios and two-bedroom penthouses. The guest lounge has a breathtaking view of the City Center where the mesmerizing curves of the complex can be viewed while you sip on cocktails. Lavishly yet tastefully decorated, Hotel 32 is a high-tech wonder -  the room's drapes, lights and electronics can be controlled with a nifty remote system. Also, a BluRay player and TV are integrated into the bathroom mirror (no need to miss your favorite show while getting dolled up!) Hotel 32 makes it easy to create your own in-room spa experience - each suite features a hydrotherapy soaking tub and comes stocked with luxurious Kiehl's toiletries. Hotel 32 treats you like the VIP that you are and every guest has exclusive access to a dedicated Suite Assistant who provides butler and concierge services throughout your stay. All reservations also include round-trip limo transportation to and from McCarran airport. That's Las Vegas baby! Best of all, this level of luxury is very accessible - rates at Hotel 32 begin at $150 per night.

A rose petal adorned bathtub at Hotel 32.


Hotel 32 employee Ashley displays an IPhone that is loaned to guests from which they can access concierge and hotel services via a special application.

Hotel options within the new City Center include ARIA, Vdara and the Mandarin Oriental - the ARIA alone has more than 4,000 gorgeously appointed rooms!The attention to detail at City Center is astounding - each property even has a custom scent. If you love art, City Center is Las Vegas's first major collection of contemporary art to be displayed in a public space and includes pieces by Maya Lin and Frank Stella. Indulge in some retail therapy at CRYSTALS - City Center's upscale shopping and entertainment complex houses prestigious brands like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Kiki de Montparnasse.  Best of all, the City Center is a marvel of sustainable design and has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

City Center at night (image courtesy of MGM Resorts International)

Public art at the Mandarin Terrace: Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, Typewriter Eraser, Scale X
(image courtesy of MGM Resorts International)

Where to Eat
Vegas has an endless buffet of fine-dining options but I am going to focus on two within the Monte Carlo.

Brand Steakhouse
Something about Vegas brings out my carnivorous side and being in this lusty town made me want to indulge in a big juicy steak. Located in the heart of the casino floor at the Monte Carlo, Brand is amazingly intimate and retains its own personality while allowing you to soak in the ambiance of the casino. My word of advice: book your reservation here before gambling away all of your money. You must order the Hot Rocks - this thinly sliced and marinated sirloin is served raw alongside a steaming VERY hot rock (don't touch it, really).  Use your chopsticks to place the sirloin on the hot rock and watch it sizzle and brown within seconds. Delicious! I also give the juicy and tender Beef Short Ribs high marks along with the New Wedge Salad (a wedge of lettuce served with red onion, tomato, blue cheese, egg, and bacon mustard dressing.)

Hot Rocks preparation.

    Juicy short ribs!

Andre's Restaurant
Although I did not get a chance to dine at Andre's Restaurant it ranks high on my list of places to visit on my next trip to Las Vegas. I did get to take a tour and I was amazed that this elegant and quiet oasis was tucked in the corner of the Monte Carlo. A AAA- four diamond establishment, many people consider Andre Rochat to be Vegas's first celebrity chef - he's been wining and dining this town for 30 years! The restaurant serves classical French fare and delights oenophiles with their wine list which features over 15,000 vintages. Andre's also has an intimate Cigar and Cognac lounge that looks like a jewel box and has an amazing filtration system - not even a hint of smoke sullied the air. On my next trip, I hope to win the jackpot so that I can indulge in a snifter of 1914 Maison Lheraud Grand Siecle Cognac. David Borowik, the General Manager of Andre's said that, "The 1914 is the 'Year of the Lady.' It marks the start of the First World War when all the men in France went off to fight, leaving their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters to tend the fields. The Year of the Lady is said to be a very elegant and feminine vintage. " Sounds like the perfect Cognac to sip while wearing a little black dress.

   

The Cigar Lounge & Main Dining Room at Andre's

Entertainment 

Here I am with Frank Caliendo as he makes one of his funny faces.

Last but not least, you can't visit Vegas without seeing some live entertainment. I was invited to comedian and master impressionist Frank Caliendo's popular show and even had a chance to meet him backstage - he is a sweetheart. Frank does amazing impressions of everyone from Kermit the Frog to Charles Barkley. And, Frank has an amazing band on stage with him that warms the crowd up. It was hard to contain myself from dancing when they played that timeless 80's anthem Jesse's Girl by Rick Springfield.

If you are fan of magic, Lance Burton ends his 13 year run at the Monte Carlo (the longest of any Vegas entertainer at the same theater) on September 4th. Lance has been voted "Best Magician" 11 years in a row by the Las Vegas-Review Journal.

There you have it - glitzy and decadent with a dash of magic, just another weekend in Vegas!

Luck Goes Luxe: ACES to Atlantic City

I must confess that my last trip to the Atlantic City casinos was sponsored by my Grandmother's church group. Picture me and a busload full of sassy seniors with visions of jackpot riches in their eyes. Once the bus arrived, I wished Granny luck and made a beeline for the Boardwalk. Gambling isn't my shtick but snacking on saltwater taffy while strolling alongside the Atlantic Ocean was worth the tedious bus ride.

New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds enjoy escaping to Atlantic City for the casinos, concerts and the opportunity to let their hair down but getting there can be a hassle. Now the actual trip to Atlantic City can be a part of the fun with the appropriately named ACES express train service. ACES is scheduled to begin service from Penn Station on Friday, February 6 and will only run on weekends.

Believe it or not, direct train service from the Big Apple to AC was previously non-existent. While more expensive than taking the bus or driving yourself. ACES lets you start the party even before you hit the slots. A $150 first class ticket includes leather seats with extra legroom and food & beverage service. You can go coach for $100 or travel high roller style by taking over the train lounge for an extra charge. ACES only runs on weekends.

Maybe Grandma and her posse will want to give it a try.

For more information, visit www.acestrain.com.