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WINE LIST
My starting point in any discussion of wine is the food. The heart and soul of Insalata's is Heidi's cooking, and my job is to make sure the wines complement and enhance what is set on the table.
In creating a list that will do so, I keep a few things in mind. First, I want to respect our guests walking through the door in their wine decisions knowing full well it is a subjective endeavor. Secondly, I want to have variety and versatility in the wines to allow people to constantly experiment, and third, I want to keep myself surprised and excited about the wines which will translate to those looking at the list.
I've learned over the years that our guests don't need me to tell them what wines they should like. I approach it the way people approach music. We don't listen to a spectrum of music in the same way. A person's tastes, knowledge and experience have a great deal to do with what they enjoy. A song someone can't listen to will be another's favorite, and that's the way I approach wine. Drop any pretense and allow the diner to make his or her decision. If there are any consistent wine rules, that would be my first. Given that, I offer people a wide spectrum of wines so people can go a variety of ways.
The wines are there to embellish. A great dining experience has many variables, but it should always be enjoyable and satisfying. Have a sense of adventure as if you're traveling in these lands where the food in derived and experiment. Above all, have fun. The dining pleasure will certainly follow.
Jim Warren
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