Costera, Argiolas 2008, L'Incontro, Dorsoduro

Another stunning, sunny, crisp autumn day. Make my way to Campo Santa Margherita for my daily newspaper, intending to go back home to work, but get distracted, as usual. Just too beautiful here. End up in Ca’ Rezzonico, again, go every few days…my favourite museum because it has most of the original furniture and décor. Then decide to work in a café and so sit in the rio terra canal, between Campo San Banarba and Campo Santa Margherita, in this little restaurant (L’Incontro) I like. I am about to order a nero d’avola when the owner asks me to try one of his favourites…and I do, and it is lovely, especially with my lamb chops …it is

Argiolas’ 2008 Costera issued from Cannonau di Sardegne.

It was 33 euros on the list and when I asked him where I could buy it, he said he gets it from the Auchun in Mestre, so you know that there one can probably get it for under 10 euros. It was gorgeous and a grape I do not know. I didn’t know that the French hyper-market had found its way to Italy. Anyway, I get a text from Mary…she is museumed-out and can she join me? She soon shows up and helps me polish off the bottle before I drag her to Ca’ Rezzonico. She loves all of the modern marble sculptures that have been added for the Biannale. I think that they are grotesque, apart from the hermaphrodite in black marble, done in a very classical style, reclining on a modern leather sofa, also in black marble. It was fascinating…all contradictions. We catch the traghetto to Guideca and accidentally walk in on Sunday evening mass in La Rendentore, so stay a bit…hoping to atone for our vinous sins.