Let’s get one thing straight—I don’t subscribe to Dry January. Why deprive myself when I know full well I’ll be back in the embrace of a good vintage by February? Instead, I’ve adopted the more forgiving concept of Damp January. It’s like a diet for wine—you’re cutting back, but not so much that you forget what joy tastes like. For me, it means abstaining from Sunday through Thursday… unless someone invites me out. Because who says no to “Want to grab a drink after work?” Not me.

So now its the weekend, woo hoo time for wine and on this particularly chilly weekend I cracked open a bottle of Bastianich Vespa Bianco 2019.

This Italian beauty is like a mini vacation in a glass. But first, let me tell you how it ended up in my kitchen. I was having a light lunch of Tuna Tartare and Arugula Salad at Eataly Chicago, paired with a zippy Etna Bianco. I struck up a conversation with a delightful young man at the bar, and as my glass hit the dreaded “empty” zone, I asked the bartender for a suggestion. What arrived was a tasting that instantly made me sit up straighter—one sip, and I thought I was drinking a White Burgundy’s more approachable cousin. Turns out, it’s 45% Chardonnay (hello, Burgundy vibes), 45% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Picolit, a grape that feels like it’s there just to add a little flourish, like a jazz hand in grape form. I bought a bottle on the spot, because why not? Eataly’s wine section is basically a treasure trove for anyone with a love for wine, cheese, and cured meats—three things I have zero self-control around.

Back at home, I decided dinner was going to be a DIY charcuterie board paired with a glass of the Vespa. This wine is an absolute delight. It greets your nose with aromas of stone fruit and citrus, like apricot with a cameo from a Meyer lemon. On the palate, it’s apricot-forward but with a sharpness that keeps it lively, easing into a gentle buttery finish that’s more “melted gold” than “too much butter on your popcorn.” There’s a hint of flowers in there too that brings a nice floraly surprise. This wine is the stuff of daydreams—specifically, daydreams of lunching in Italy instead of at Eataly. 

While I thoroughly enjoyed the Vespa with my Chacuterie, this wine would be great paired with poultry dishes. Check out this recipe for Chicken & Mushroom Risotto.

If you’re feeling like January is dragging you down, let this wine remind you of better, sunnier days. Bastianich Vespa Bianco 2019 is more than a bottle—it’s a little escape hatch to la dolce vita. Pair it with anything that makes you feel a little extra—poultry, charcuterie, seafood, or even a “fancy” Tuesday night. Because who says you have to wait for February to start living?

The Bastianich Winery, founded in 1997 consists of 40 hectares of vineyards. All of the vines are in the Friuli Colli Orientali DOC area in 2 distinct climatic zones.The wines created at the Bastianich estate showcase the terroir of Friuli; a region with cool temperatures, beautiful hillsides, and famous grape varietals; while also boasting remarkable power and balance throughout their wine selection.

My rating…