We moved down the eastern shore of Lake Garda closer to Verona for our last night at the luxurious Villa Cordevigo. As it was mid-week their Michelin star restaurant was closed so we dined at Cordevigo, their main dining room, but since the weather was so glorious our table was set up outside overlooking the pool, vineyards and estate in a wonderful setting.
We had pre-chosen the menu and perhaps part of the blame for the meal goes to me, but more on that later. The manager/sommelier Gian Moris, was most kind again offering me tastes of several wines prior to choosing. I was hoping he would recommend one of the wines made at the hotel's vineyards, but he opted to offer others! We had moved south, so the grapes and wines were changing. Our white was a Lugana 2022 Trebbiano di Lugano that had a wonderful mineral intensity and paired well with the rich dishes. There were two reds from the neighborhood: Bardolino Classico DOC from Morlongo 2020 Anniversario 50 Vendemmia (celebrating their 50th anniversary) and a wonderful Valpolicella Ripasso DOC 2019 from Vigneti Villabella.
Our amuse was a gazpacho with octopus and dark olive aioli. The first course was a superb Local Rabbit in Porchetta with truffle sauce and crunchy polenta chips which was a truly wonderful dish in a roulade that was indeed quite filling and hearty. The sauce was superb to book using local black truffles. Our next course similarly was an excellent and rich Risotto with White Asparagus, Morels and local Monte Veronese cheese.
The main course was a Free range Guinea Hen Roulade with rosemary, Mushroom, Truffle Sauce & Guanciale and while this was delicious, the sauce and preparation was almost the same as the rabbit and hence a tad unexciting after we adored that dish so much. Dessert was Tiramisu and we all loved their version, a traditional and fitting end to our week-long food and wine tour of the Italian Dolomites!
