Johnny Costa's Offering Tasty New Selections This Season

In addition to a great happy hour menu, Johnny Costa's Ristorante in downtown Palm Springs has some tasty new vino to accompany an array of flavorful small plates and homestyle Italian dishes.

In terms of whites, I enjoyed the 2010 Sortesele Pinot Grigio from one of Italy's most storied producers, Santi Winery. This seafood-friendly wine is slightly floral and lacks the predictable bite that characterizes many examples of this varietal. Instead, there is a smooth, almost buttery-like finish on the palate that I really enjoyed. For $6 per glass, there is true value here, and while this selection hasn't made it to the full menu yet, it will soon.

I also tasted the Barco Reale di Carmignano Cappezzana, a hearty Sangiovese-Cab blend that really needs food! This wine is quite rustic, with a lot of tannin to be tamed, ideally with a rich bolognese or hearty veal dish. At $9 per glass,I would also drink it with one of the restaurant's tasty wood-fired pizzas.

Special thanks to:
Johnny Costa's Ristorante
440 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs
(760) 325-4556
http://www.johnnycostaspalmsprings.com/