Master Sommelier Xavier Rousset, co-founder of 28:50 restaurant in London, picks his top wines to drink with Michel Roux Jr's Vitello Tonnato recipe.
See below for Xavier Rousset MS choices of wines to drink with Michel Roux Jr’s Vitello Tonnato recipe.
Az Agricola F.lli Cigliuti, Serraboella, Barbera d’Alba, Italy 2012
Plenty of dark fruit, liquorice, plum, great balance between acidity, fruit & tannins. Soft use of oak which helps for drinkability. Really enjoyable.
UK stockist: Lea & Sandeman / US stockist: Solano Cellars, California, $29.6
Domaine Grand Veneur, Le Fontaine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, France 2013
100% Roussanne, Fleshy white wine, well integrated oak to lift up the fruit, aromatic, peppery to counter balance the capers and anchovies. Has enough depth and delicacy to match the dish without overpowering it.
UK stockist: H2Vin / US stockist: The Wine House, California $59.99
Pittnauer, Blaufränkisch Rosenberg, Burgenland, Austria 2008
I got caught in blind tasting and thought I had in front of me a very high quality Burgundian style Pinot Noir. Finesse, purity of the fruit, beautiful harmony, a real gem. Probably as good example of what Austria is capable at its best when it comes to red wine.
UK stockist: Clark Foyster £244.44 (x6 bottles)
*Wine stockist search aided by Wine-Searcher.com
About Xavier Rousset MS:
Xavier Rousset MS started working as assistant chef sommelier at Gerard Basset’s Hotel du Vin in Bristol at the age of 20, after studying to become a sommelier in Saumur.
His career took off in 2002, when he was promoted to head sommelier, won the Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year competition, and became the youngest Master Sommelier in the world at the time.
In 2004, Rousset was appointed head sommelier at Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a position which introduced him to head chef Agnar Sverrisson.
Rousset and Sverrisson launched Texture restaurant in 2007, which has received a lengthy list of awards including a Michelin star in 2010, the Rémy Martin London Restaurant Awards Newcomer of the Year 2008-2009, three rosettes in the AA Guide 2008-2009, Best Newcomer in the 2010 Caterer & Hotelkeeper Catey Awards, and UK Best Restaurant Wine List 2012 at the National Restaurant Awards.
Rousset and Sverrisson’s second venture, 28-50 Wine Workshop and Kitchen, was launched in 2007 in Fetter Lane. Due to its success, two more venues were opened on Marylebone Lane (2012) and Maddox Street (August 2013).
Since June 2015, Xavier has stepped down from Texture and 28-50 and he’s spending some time with his family while researching his next venture.
