The Expert
Tom Hajduk, co-owner of Vino Verité.

The Cred
Tom Hajduk’s other job is teaching English literature. He loves books and wine, that’s pretty easy to relate to.

So what’s this week’s theme, Expert?
“Wines that get dinner guests’ attention and end up creating lively conversation.”

Why did you pick that theme?
“These wines represent the intersection of my love for wine and cooking and my job as an English teacher. When I have guests, I like them to have a interesting tasting experience, to learn something new, and to enjoy discussing what they are tasting.”

Right. Let’s hear ’em.

The Red
2007 Primosic Refosco Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy ($13) “One sip always draws an audible reaction from guests. Heady dark plum, ripe blackberry, and vanilla romp with wet earth, yet the finish holds a note of flowers and a hint of tar.”

The White
2010 Bodega Colome Torrontés Salta, Argentina ($13) “Perfect for seafood, especially boldly flavored courses with citrus and spice. When guests drink this wine they inevitably start talking about world travel.”

The Rose
2010 Biohof Pratsch Rosé Austria ($13) “Delightful with appetizers, it is full-flavored, with a sharp edge to the melon and berry notes.”

The Sparkler
2010 Avinyó Penedès Vi D’Agulla, Spain ($14) In Act Three of The Tempest there is a fantastical banquet scene, and in my imagination the sea-sprite Ariel opens bottles of this wine. It pairs with everything, and I mean everything: salty/oily salami, spicy calamari, a wide variety of cheeses, roasted vegetables. Heck it’s even good with steak.

Thanks Tom, for giving us recs with a little Shakespeare refresher on the side. Why’d you get into this whole wine thing anyway?
“Wine is like literature: people have their favorites which they will defend to the death—it’s fun to be part of the fray.”