Uncorked: Allegra Antinori
Tell us about the moment you first became interested in wine
There was not one single moment but many moments since the beginning. I was always surrounded by the rhythm of agriculture and I spent a lot of time with my father and grandfather: wine was always the subject of our conversations.
Describe your wine list at Cantinetta Antinori
The wine list will be as carefully curated as the food menu, with exclusive vintages from the Antinori family estates. A knowledgeable sommelier team will be on hand to offer guests a bespoke service and wine pairings from the extensive cellar.
Over the course of your career, have you had any wine-related disasters?
When hail, frost, heavy rains or drought comes at the wrong moment... that is a real disaster. Personally, I made many mistakes but luckily with a glass of wine I forget all about them.
Name your top three restaurant wine lists
Affinatore in Milan, La Bottega in Napa Valley and Osaka Palermo in Buenos Aires.
Who do you most respect in the wine world?
Wineries that are patient and take time to exalt the varietal expression and specific terroir in the most precise way.
What’s the most interesting wine you’ve come across recently?
Boggina from Petrolo winery in Tuscany.
What are the three most overused tasting notes?
Elegant, fine and crisp.
What’s the best value wine on your list at the moment?
Conte della Vipera is a wine with an unexpected potential of ageing. It has great balance and strong varietal expression.
What is your ultimate food and drink match?
Thai green curry soup and a glass of ‘A’, the rosé wine from Fattoria Aldobrandesca (a producer based in Tuscany).
Old World or New World?
Old with a touch of new and new with the tone of old.
What is your pet hate when it comes to wine service in other restaurants?
Too much description on the menu.
Who is your favourite producer right now?
Chakra wine from Patagonia, which is made by my cousin Piero.
What question do you most get asked by customers?
How does it feel to continue the family legacy?
Which wine producing region or country is underrated at the moment
Portugal because they still need time to express the incredible range of local wine they have.
It’s your last meal and you can have a bottle of any wine in the world. What is it and why?
Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape 2011. I tasted it once and am waiting for a special occasion to drink it again.
