Get Classy Tonight! Milan-Style!

Have some extra time tonight to make dinner for you and a loved one? We all know how tedious it is to cook risotto but we swear this recipe and wine pairing is worth it. This week, we want you all to try one of the featured wines, the Contadi Castaldi Brut Rose' Franciacorta paired with a delicate yet filling, saffron risotto! But first, a little history about Franciacorta: Franciacorta, Italy, is located to the east of Brescia and it is a relatively small wine region encompassing an area which is 25 km wide and 10 km high. The wine region was originally developed by Bourgundian monks who settled here in the 13rd century. They became such a powerful presence that they were exempt from paying taxes to the bishops of Brescia. Because of this the area became known as Francae Cortae (Free of the Courts in Latin) which over the centuries evolved into Franciacorta. Today Franciacorta DOCG is a synonym for high quality sparkling wine produced according to the Methode Traditional, or in other words produced by a second fermentation in the bottle and aged on the lees for at least 12 months and a further 6 months in the bottle. The FranciaCorte NV wines can only be released 25 months after harvest. Grapes used to produce the wine are Chardonnay, Pinot Nero (Noir) and Pinot Bianco. BACK TO THE TASTE! This sparkling Italian beauty has white flowers in the bouquet, with enveloping fruity notes and hints of aniseed, nougat and honey. This freshness is felt again in the palate, which is tangy, full and plump. To bring out the essential "sparkle" of this wine, pair it with Saffron Risotto, a savory one-of-a-kind dish that will leave you full yet satisfied. We have taken this week's recipe from Giallo Zafferano kitchen. Below is a YouTube link that has the recipe listed under the video and a small tutorial of the meal. Get stirring!! Recipe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsFQ7NFl5Xg Wine by the Bottle: $27.99 - As part of a mixed case: $23.79