| As you enter A 16, named for Autostrada 16, a | | | | We also tasted the Cantine del Taburno, Falanghina, |
| roadthat spans from Naples to Tavari, you're greeted | | | | 2005-a light, crisp, aromatic wine with hints of |
| bysubtle greenery, rich chocolate wood, and a dozen | | | | pearand mango; the Benito Ferrara, Greco di Tufo, |
| or socoveted high-back chairs situated at the Italian | | | | 2005, a |
| marblebar and bay windows that look out onto | | | | 70-year-old vine Greco, grown from limestone |
| Chestnut | | | | "Tufaceous"soil, also found in the Loire Valley in |
| Street (a great perch for people watching). A | | | | Sancerreand Chablis-with stone fruits like white |
| colorfulfloor-to-ceiling chalkboard displays the pride of | | | | peaches,nectarines, and a dry finish; and the I Favati, |
| A 16,its wide selection of wines. | | | | Taurasi, |
| The idea for the establishment was born froma trip | | | | 2004-red currants, with lush fruits like plum andcherry, |
| to the Campania region of Italy, where coowner | | | | medium tannins. |
| Shelley Lindgren fell in love with the region'sfood and | | | | A 16's knowledgeable staff serves forty wines by |
| wine. Lindgren, local attorney | | | | theglass and half-bottle carafes (assuring that no |
| Victoria Libin, and chef Nate Appleman teamed upto | | | | bottlestays open for too long), mainly priced |
| ensure that the grapes complemented the southern | | | | between |
| Italian cuisine. | | | | $8 and $14 per glass. The selections changeoften |
| The Campania region, dubbed oenetria or land of | | | | with some staples of Campania there to stay. |
| wine,by the ancient Greeks, has a long history of | | | | Some of the varietals of Campania include Falanghina, |
| greatwines. First up, Lindgren poured a glass of Clelia | | | | Fiano, Greco (whites), Casavecchia, Aglianico, and |
| Romano, | | | | Piedirosso (red). |
| Fiano di Avellino, 2005-a dry white, with hintsof | | | | Best of all, A 16 is not just a wine bar, it's also |
| honey, almonds, and evergreen and a smokinessfrom | | | | arestaurant-which means you can pair your grape |
| the still-present volcanic soil of the Mount | | | | ofchoice with any of the establishment's delicious |
| Vesuviuseruption, which destroyed Pompeii in 79 A.D., | | | | southern |
| literallycreating a rich history in the wine itself. | | | | Italian dishes while enjoying a wine bar experience. |