A Super Tuscan, Duck Ragu, and One of Chicago’s Best Restaurant Wine Lists
Let's say you love Cabernet Sauvignon. You know what you like, you enjoy the bold fruit and structure, and when you're looking at a restaurant wine list, ordering a familiar bottle feels like the easy move. But every now and then, you've got to branch out a little. During a visit to Tre Dita, one bottle immediately caught my attention: the Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan. It had the kind of value I look for on a restaurant wine list. So, let's get into the wine, the pairing, and one of Chicago's wine lists worth spending some time with.
A Look Inside Tre Dita's Wine Program
A Wine List Worth Exploring
When I visit a restaurant with a serious wine program, I don't like to rush through the list. This is where you can find something interesting, especially when you're willing to move beyond the wines you already know.
Tre Dita is the kind of place where spending a little time with the wine list makes sense. There are plenty of directions you could take, but when I'm looking at an Italian wine list, one of the first things on my mind is value. Not necessarily the cheapest bottle. I'm looking for a wine that gives you something interesting for the price, something with character that also makes sense with the food.
This time, the Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan stood out.
What Is a Super Tuscan?
A Good Starting Point for Cabernet Sauvignon Drinkers
If you love Cabernet Sauvignon but haven't spent much time exploring Italian reds, asking about a Super Tuscan can be a good place to start.
Super Tuscans are wines associated with Tuscany that became known for stepping outside the traditional rules governing certain Tuscan wine styles. Many feature Bordeaux grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, either on their own or alongside Italian varieties.
That connection is part of what makes them approachable for Cabernet drinkers. You may find the dark fruit, structure, and depth you enjoy in Cabernet Sauvignon, while Tuscany adds its own character to the experience.
Now, that doesn't mean every Super Tuscan tastes the same.
The style can cover a wide range of wines, which is why it's worth asking your server or sommelier about the specific bottle in front of you. Some may lean toward Cabernet, while others show more Merlot, Sangiovese, or other varieties in the blend. The structure, fruit profile, and overall style can change quite a bit.
But if you're sitting at an Italian restaurant, looking through a long list and wondering where to start, this is a useful direction to explore.
You don't have to know every Italian grape variety before ordering something interesting.
Sometimes, you just need a good starting point.
Why They Can Offer So Much With Food
One of the things I enjoy about wines like this is their versatility at the table. The structure can stand up to richer dishes, while the acidity keeps the wine from feeling too heavy as the meal goes on.
That's particularly useful in an Italian restaurant, where the menu can move through pasta, meat, herbs, tomato-based sauces, and richer preparations. A wine with enough depth to handle those flavors, without taking over the entire meal, gives you more room to explore.
The Poggio Colombi had that kind of flexibility. It was expressive enough to enjoy on its own, but the pairing with food added another dimension.
The Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan
A Bottle That Immediately Stood Out
There are certain wines that catch your attention because of a famous label or a price tag. This wasn't about that.
The Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan stood out because it offered the kind of value I look for when exploring a restaurant wine list. Once you start looking beyond the obvious choices, that's where some of the fun begins. So, look for something that gives you a good experience for what you're spending.
This wine shows a profile that Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers will recognize and appreciate. Blackberry and cassis led the way, giving it that dark-fruited character, while cocoa and cedar added more depth. Mediterranean herbs gave the wine another layer and connected nicely with the Italian setting.
What I liked was the balance.
There was structure, but the wine still felt elegant. It had depth, but it wasn't trying to overwhelm the palate with weight. Those details matter, especially during dinner. You want a wine that has something to say, but you also want to enjoy the next glass.
That's why this bottle made sense for the table.
If you'd like to experience the same wine at home, the Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan is also available through Cuvée Concierge.
What to Expect in the Glass
Dark Fruit, Cocoa, Cedar, and Mediterranean Herbs
This wine gives you plenty to work with. Blackberry and cassis create the foundation, followed by notes of cocoa and cedar that add warmth and complexity. Then you get those Mediterranean herbal notes, which give the wine a little extra personality.
I like wines that can show you different sides of themselves without becoming confusing. Everything here had a place. The fruit was present, but it didn't take over. The cocoa and cedar gave the wine some depth, while the herbs kept the profile interesting.
That's the kind of combination that makes a wine enjoyable at the table.
You can take a sip and appreciate the fruit, then come back later and notice something else. Spend a little time with the glass. Let the wine open up. See what starts showing itself.
No need to overthink it.
That's part of the fun.
The Balance That Makes It Easy to Enjoy
A wine can have bold flavors and still feel balanced. That's an important distinction.
The Poggio Colombi had enough structure to satisfy someone who enjoys Cabernet Sauvignon, but it also had the elegance to work comfortably throughout the meal. The acidity played an important role here, keeping the wine fresh and preventing the richer flavors from becoming too much.
That balance also made it approachable.
If you're starting to explore Italian wine, you don't necessarily need to jump into something completely unfamiliar. Finding a wine that has a few characteristics you already enjoy can make the experience easier. A Super Tuscan can offer that bridge between familiar Bordeaux varieties and the world of Italian wine.
And once you find a bottle that clicks, you have a new direction to explore.
The Pairing: Pappardelle Con Ragu
Why it Worked So Well
Now let's talk about the food.
The wine was paired with pappardelle con ragu, and the richness of the duck gave the Super Tuscan plenty to work with. Duck has enough flavor and richness to stand beside a structured red, while the wine's acidity kept the combination from feeling heavy.
That freshness matters.
A rich dish can easily become overwhelming when paired with a wine that is equally rich but lacks enough acidity or balance. Here, the pairing kept moving. The duck emphasized the depth of the wine, and the wine kept each bite feeling fresh enough to enjoy the next one.
The herbal notes in the glass also felt right at home with the flavors you expect around a dish like this.
This is a good reminder that wine pairing doesn't have to mean memorizing a long list of rules. Start with the weight of the wine and the weight of the dish. Think about richness, acidity, texture, and the dominant flavors on the plate.
Then let the meal do some of the work.
A Wine You Can Pair Beyond the Restaurant
You don't need to recreate the exact plate of pappardelle con ragu at home to enjoy this bottle.
The Poggio Colombi has enough structure for beef, lamb, and other richer meats, while its acidity and herbal character can also work nicely with Italian dishes built around tomatoes, herbs, or slow-cooked sauces. A hearty pasta dish would make plenty of sense.
If you're planning a dinner and want to build the meal around the wine, think about dishes with some depth and richness without making the flavors unnecessarily heavy.
And honestly, this is where you can have some fun with it.
Try something, see how the combination works, and make a note of what you enjoy. Wine gets a lot more interesting when you start paying attention to those connections.
How to Order Something Like This With Confidence
Ask for a Super Tuscan if You Enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon
You don't need to walk into an Italian restaurant already knowing the entire wine list.
If you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon and want to explore Italian wine, tell your server or sommelier exactly that. Say you enjoy bold fruit, structure, and fuller-bodied reds, then ask if they have a Super Tuscan that might fit your taste.
That gives them something useful to work with.
A good recommendation starts with knowing what you already enjoy. You don't need technical vocabulary or a detailed explanation of every wine you've had over the last ten years.
You can also take a little pressure off yourself by checking out our guide to ordering wine at a restaurant before your next dinner. The more comfortable you become asking questions, the easier it is to move beyond your usual bottle.
This visit to Tre Dita is part of a larger goal: spending more time exploring Chicago's restaurant wine programs and finding bottles worth talking about. There are a lot of great restaurants in the city, and every wine list has its own personality. Some are built around classic regions. Others make room for smaller producers, unusual grape varieties, or bottles that give you an opportunity to try something completely new. That's what makes these visits fun. You might go into a restaurant expecting one thing and leave thinking about a wine you had never considered ordering before. The Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan was one of those discoveries. It made for a pretty good reminder that sometimes the best way to learn about wine is to get out there and drink something new.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Super Tuscan wine?
A Super Tuscan is a Tuscan wine associated with producers who moved beyond traditional regional blending and classification rules. Many include Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or Merlot, sometimes alongside Italian grapes such as Sangiovese.
Do Super Tuscans taste like Cabernet Sauvignon?
Some can share characteristics with Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly when Cabernet is a major part of the blend. You may find dark fruit, structure, and firm tannins, but the final style depends on the producer and the grapes used.
What food pairs well with a Super Tuscan?
Richer dishes can work particularly well, including beef, lamb, duck, hearty pasta dishes, and foods with savory sauces or herbs. The specific pairing depends on the structure and composition of the individual wine.
Why did the Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan work with duck ragu?
The richness of the duck complemented the wine's depth and structure, while the acidity kept the pairing fresh throughout the meal. Its dark fruit and herbal notes also worked naturally with the flavors of the dish.
What should I order if I like Cabernet Sauvignon but want to try Italian wine?
A Super Tuscan can be a good starting point. Tell your server or sommelier that you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon and describe the style you like, such as bold fruit or a structured red. They can recommend a bottle that fits your preferences.
How do I find a good value on a restaurant wine list?
Ask your server or sommelier which wines they consider particularly good values. Looking beyond the cheapest and most expensive options can lead you to bottles with an interesting combination of quality, character, and price.
Can I buy the Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan from Cuvée Concierge?
Yes. The featured Poggio Colombi Super Tuscan is available through Cuvée Concierge for anyone who would like to experience the bottle at home.
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