48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar hasn’t been around for long, but it’s already a much-loved addition to South Yarra. The goal behind 48h is to showcase the highest quality produce combined with an inviting family atmosphere.
The team is currently running a range of informative evenings aimed at exploring the passion they have for Italian food and wine. On this occasion the focus was to showcase wines from the Ressia family vineyard in Italy.
The menu was designed by 48H co-owner and executive chef Michele Circhirillo which was especially prepared for the evening. Our first wine for the evening was the Evien Ressia 2015, a dry Moscato that was paired with a Parmigiano Reggiano aged for 24 months. The wine was very aromatic which fooled the palate into the usual sweetness associated with the varietal. Preferring dry whites, I was pleasantly surprised with the complexity of this wine upon tasting.
Next up was an entree of cracker bread, buffalo mozzarella, organic tomatoes, basil and prosciutto al coltello. With this we were on to matching with reds, beginning with the Barbaresco Ressia 2012. Winemaker Fabrizio Ressia took us through each wine individually, assisted by Marco Senia from the Association of Italian Sommeliers who was a great wealth of information throughout the evening.
There were many more delights to come, with the Gnocchi Di More e Ginepro, a blackberry- and juniper-infused gnocchi with slow-cooked duck. It was followed by my favourite of the evening, the sorbet of Barbera Superiore Ressia 2013 — who doesn’t love a boozey frozen dessert? The sorbet perfectly balanced the bouquet of the Ressia 2013 with berry sweetness that was very moreish.
Finishing the night off was a Tre Formaggi, featuring a trio of Montasio Veronese, Pecorino Romano and 72 month aged Parmigiano cheeses. These three cheeses were offered alongside the Barbaresco Ressia 2010, 2009, and 2007 vintages. We were given a challenge of matching them together with the cheeses which was a fun way to end the night with our newfound friends.
– Brenton
Brenton Spink is a social Melburnian who loves a good feed, drink, dance, and other related shenanigans. Find him on Instagram at @SoSpinky.
48h will be running a range of evenings and gnocchi classes — keep an eye out on their Facebook for details.
48H Pizza & Gnocchi Bar
373 Malvern Road
South Yarra VIC
