If you’ve ever spent any time in Italy, you’ll be familiar with the perfectly time-honored tradition that is aperitivo. That’s when Italians, whether mid-passeggiata or just getting off work, all head to their favorite bar. But more than just a pre-dinner drink, aperitivo is a time of day and a state of mind: no longer afternoon but not quite evening, it represents that delightful moment when the working day is through and another pleasant evening of good food and company awaits.

This uniquely Italian ritual has its origins in Northern Italy, which saw a boom in cordial and liqueur production in the early twentieth century. By the 1920s the fashionable bars of Milan, Turin and Florence would swell each evening with thinkers and drinkers sipping Campari, Punt e Mes and Cinzano. Only in recent years has the modern aperitivo hour taken form; today bars all over Italy offer a delicious selection of free antipasti with their wine or cocktails, making it a popular choice for young and old.

The custom of aperitivo may seem deeply connected to the pleasurable lifestyle of Italy, but the hectic pace of Manhattan? At I Trulli, we see no reason why you should miss out on such an elegant practice — after all, even New Yorkers deserve to unwind sometimes. Join us every weekday evening from 5:30-7:00pm for I Trulli’s aperitivo hour: choose from our brand new cocktail and sparkling wine list and enjoy complimentary small plates from Chef Patti Jackson’s kitchen! Salute!

For more information and reservations please contact 212-481-7372 or info@itrulli.com.

I Trulli’s aperitivo launch has already captured the attention of the local press. Just check out some of these recent mentions (click on the logos):

It’s that time of year again! Seems like summer’s barely over but here we are just a week away from Thanksgiving, and chances are you’re faced with the familiar problem of what wine to pair with your turkey and pumpkin pie. If this is you look no further than Vino: introducing our Thanksgiving Six-Pack 2009!

As is tradition at Vino, each November we compile a selection of six of our favorite Italian wines designed to only enhance your yams and cranberry sauce. From the crisp bubbles of Prosecco to the lush nectar of Malvasia passito, these six great bottles are guaranteed to guide you and your loved ones through another epic and cheerful holiday feast.

Vino will be pouring all six wines this Friday afternoon from 5:30pm.

The Thanksgiving Six-Pack is available for just $150: that’s an incredible saving of 20%!

Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Brut NV Col de’ Salici
The crisp, classic spumante wine of Veneto is the perfect sparkling holiday aperitivo. Salute!

Moscato Giallo 2008 Castel Sallegg
Golden and aromatic, the unctuous and food-friendly Moscato Giallo will stand up well to your pre-dinner cheese plate.

Lambrusco Rosé In Correggio NV Lini
Designed to combat Emilia’s richer flavors, let these pink Lambrusco bubbles cleanse your palate.

Pelaverga Basadone 2007 Castello di Verduno
A holiday favorite of former Times critic Frank Bruni, Pelaverga’s spicy aromas make it a firm fixture on our Thanksgiving table too. Try it with fresh filled pasta!

Serra delle Querce 2005 D’Angelo
Roasted turkey and Aglianico? Yes we can! Southern Italy’s most noble grape is softened by the addition of Merlot, making this wine the perfect turkey pairing.

Vigna del Volta 2004 La Stoppa
A blend of Malvasia di Candia and Moscato, this Tre Bicchieri-winning passito is a natural choice for sweet pastry dishes… if you still have room!

Thanksgiving Six-Pack
$150

For more information call 212-725-6516 or email contact@vinosite.com.

Nicola Marzovilla debuts his very first wine at I Trulli

Nicola Marzovilla wishes to thank personally all those who attended Monday’s Massoferrato dinner. The exclusive event saw the I Trulli owner unveil his very first wine to a group of excited guests, who had gathered to taste the wine and celebrate this very special occasion. The 100% Sangiovese wine, made from grapes grown on Marzovilla’s Tuscan estate in Impruneta, was a unanimous hit, especially paired with the rustic flavors of Chef Patti Jackson’s whole roasted wild boar.

It seemed everyone wanted their picture taken with the wild boar: Nicola and his sister Domenica celebrate the launch of Massoferrato.

Massoferrato is currently on the wine list at I Trulli, and available for retail purchase at our store, Vino, located directly opposite the restaurant!

Call 212-725-6516 or email contact@vinosite.com for more information.

Rob and Robin declare crabapples “In Season”

Patti Jackson’s recipe for crabapple mostarda is featured in this week’s issue of New York magazine! The I Trulli chef buys the fruit from the Greenmarket’s Breezy Hill Orchard or Locust Grove Fruit Farm to make her famous mostarda, described by Robin Raisfeld and Rob Patronite as a “chutney-like Italian condiment.” Served with sheep’s-milk cheese or bollito misto, Patti’s tasty mostarda is a fall favorite at I Trulli.

Read the full “In Season” report here! The current issue of New York magazine is available at newsstands now!

Illustration by John Burgoyne; Photo by Hannah Whitaker.

Vino has a limited supply of Pinot Bianco 2007 by Castel Sallegg, which we’re now offering at an amazing 10% off (while stocks last)!

As the staff at Vino can firmly attest, Castel Sallegg’s 2007 Pinot Bianco is still drinking marvelously over twelve months after its release. This monovarietal white is best enjoyed when paired with food, in particular the cured meats or strong cheeses typical of Italy’s northern-most reaches. The Alto-Adige producer’s wines benefit from near-perfect growing sites: the sandy, pebbly lime subsoil in the slopes that surround Lake Caldaro is ideal for creating a mineral-driven wine that’s crisp, balanced — and great value!

Pinot Bianco 2007 Castel Sallegg
was $18, now $16.20
FREE SHIPPING!

For more information call 212-725-6516 or email contact@vinosite.com.

Taste Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and more this Friday as Vino pours six world-class wines from Piedmontese producer Castello di Verduno!

Owned by husband and wife Franco Bianco and Gabriella Burlotto, this lush estate (which includes a hotel, restaurant and agriturismo) is fortunate to possess some of Piedmont’s best growing sites. Famed for their Barolo and Barbaresco wines (the family has holdings in the historic Rabajà and Massara crus), winemaker Mario Andrion also produces a young and fragrant Barbera d’Alba.

Lesser-known is the rare Pelaverga, a variety indigenous to the area around Verduno near Alba. This year, in addition to the popular red Basadone, Vino has added Bellis Perennis to its selection, a Pelaverga vinified white!

Try six of our favorite wines from one of Piedmont’s finest wineries this Friday evening. And remember, the following wines are available at a whopping 20% off for ONE DAY ONLY: Friday, November 13!

Pelaverga Bellis Perennis NV

Verduno Pelaverga Basadone 2007

Barbera d’Alba 2007

Barbaresco 2005

Barbaresco Rabajà 2003

Barolo Massara 2003

Castello di Verduno Tasting
Friday, November 13
5:30-7:30pm
FREE

For more information call 212-725-6516 or email contact@vinosite.com.

Famed the world over for its use in two of Italy’s most celebrated wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, young Nebbiolo is naturally high in tannins and thus at its best offers a remarkable potential for aging. Yet many forget that the variety actually goes far beyond these highly revered DOCGs, featuring in wines from some of Piedmont’s lesser-known winemaking zones, including Ghemme and Carema in the northern hills of the region. Though most closely associated with Piedmont, Nebbiolo is also cultivated in Lombardy where it’s known as Chiavennasca, and is the predominant variety in Valtellina.

A man who has worked the vines with his bare hands under Piedmont’s baking sun, few people know Nebbiolo like Jim Hutchinson, DWS (below: front row, far right). Join Jim tomorrow evening as as he guides you through this impressive exclusive tasting of some of his favorite expressions of this much-admired and unexpectedly diverse variety. Sign up now!

NEBBIOLO
with Jim Hutchinson, DWS
Wednesday, November 11
6:30-8:30pm
$65

For more information and reservations call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.

Nicola Marzovilla presents “Massoferrato”, Monday, November 16

Join Nicola Marzovilla for a very special dinner celebrating all the rustic charm of Tuscany, as the I Trulli owner proudly presents Massoferrato, the first wine made from grapes grown on his Tuscan estate!

Marzovilla and his family purchased the property (above) in Impruneta in the Colli Fiorentini, south of Florence, fifteen years ago, with a view to trying their hand at winemaking. Nicola planted seven acres of Sangiovese (below) — the classic Tuscan variety — which in 2008 produced fruit for the very first vintage of Massoferrato. The wine, classified Rosso Toscano IGT, was fermented in stainless steel before spending time in custom-made 20 hectoliter barrels of Slavonian oak.

A wine this special deserves a menu to match, and for this unique occasion Chef Patti Jackson will prepare typically Tuscan dishes including chestnut gnocchi and whole roasted wild boar. Check out Patti’s full menu here!

Italian-born Marzovilla (above, bottling his wine last summer) is already renowned for his wine expertise and devoted attention to I Trulli’s groundbreaking wine program, he also owns Vino Italian Wine and Spirits, New York’s top-rated all-Italian wine store. Now join him as he celebrates his latest exciting wine venture!

Nicola Marzovilla presents MASSOFERRATO
Monday, November 16
7:30pm
$85 plus tax and gratuity

For more information and reservations please contact 212-481-7372 or reservations@itrulli.com.

FREE D’Angelo Tasting
Friday, November 6
5:30-7:30pm

For more information call 212-725-6516 or email contact@vinosite.com.

By far our most popular class, Italian Wine 101 is offered twice this term, giving Vino’s most curious customers an extra chance to enjoy an introduction to some of Italy’s greatest grape varieties and wines.

Vino’s own William “Lucky” Lee will review Italy’s magnificent yet sometimes intimidating mosaic of local varieties and wine appellations, the two aspects which continue more often than not to boggle the minds of Italian wine novices. William will also explain the fascinating process of wine-making from grape to bottle, give pointers on storing, serving and ordering wine, and discuss wine’s important role in Italian daily life.

Featuring a carefully compiled tasting representing the supreme quality and vast diversity of Italian wine, this lively and entertaining seminar is ideal for those new to Vino and for experience enthusiasts alike. Sign up today!

ITALIAN WINE 101
with William Lee
Wednesday, November 4
6:30-8:30pm
$45

For more information and reservations call 212-725-6516 or email register@vinosite.com.