Wine Stores We Love: Potenza Wine Shop
written by Amanda
on 10/21/2010
This is the second installment of Wine Stores We Love from the team at EatMore DrinkMore.
By Jenna Golden
EatMore DrinkMore
I have been a huge fan of Potenza since it opened in 2009 on the corner of 15th and H Streets NW. The restaurant is part of the Stir Food Group, which is also responsible for bringing us Zola and Zola Wine and Kitchen.
The team at Stir Food Group developed a brilliant concept with the
Potenza franchise as it includes a delicious and rustic Italian
restaurant, a large bar area with a great happy hour, an old-style
bakery with everything from gelato to pasta specials at lunchtime, a
grill outside in the summer serving Italian sausages to go, and the
small and tasteful Potenza Wine Shop,
tucked away on the side of 15th Street. I love this wine shop because
it's not too overwhelming in size, and it has a great selection of
Italian wines at many different price points.
Wine shop manager
Jeremy Silva explained that the restaurant group's Ralph Rosenberg built
the great foundation for wines in the store, but over time through
tasting and personal preferences, the shop has come to offer a diverse
collection of wines that are from Italy and beyond.
The Potenza Wine Shop also sells some cheeses, sauces, oils, tapenades and other Italian accoutrements.
 Three wine picks for three price points.
Courtesy EatMore DrinkMore
I asked Jeremy to select his choices for great wines under $15, $30 and $50 for our readers, and here is what he suggested:
• Under $15
La Carraia Montepulciano Tizzonero 2005, $14
Tasting notes:
Jeremy describes the Tizzonero as complex and not too dense with a
smokiness on the end after it opens up. With the cherry from the
Sangiovese, it produces a solid and very reliable wine option at a low
price point. Pairs nicely with pizzas or a roasted pork or chicken.
• Under $30
Tenuta Roveglia Lugana 2008, $20
Tasting notes:
Lugana is
made from the Trebbiano grape variety and has a vanilla richness to it
as well as a distinct peach fruit flavor. This wine is a great
alternative to a dry Riesling. Pairs nicely with a grilled whole fish
or light cheeses.
•Under $50
Conte Ferdinando (Massi di Mandorlaia) Guicciardini Maremma Toscana Colpetroso 2005, $49
Tasting notes:
The
Guicciardini family has had a winery in the family for more than 700
years. The Colpetroso comes from the Maremma area of southwest Tuscany.
The rich and powerful wine has a balsamic quality to it which integrates
nicely with the fruit and the tannins and pairs nicely with meats or
stews.
The Potenza Wine Shop holds a tasting every Thursday from
5-7 p.m. where they typically provide a few wines to sample. It's a
great spot to pick up a bottle of wine for your next dinner party.
Potenza Wine Shop
731 15th St. NW
202.638.4444
Also check out Wine Stores We Love: Screwtop Wine Bar.
 EatMore DrinkMore is a team food blog providing restaurant reviews, news,
recipes and generally anything food and drink related that we think is
awesome. When we’re not contributing to Metrocurean, you’ll find us
eating and drinking in the DC area and blogging about it on EatMore DrinkMore.
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