Review: Piccola Uva Wine Bar and Pizza

About three months ago, Piccola Uva Wine Bar & Pizza opened on 7th avenue, walking distance from parts of Prospect Heights. Some locals think of the restaurant as a pizza place when it is, in fact, a wonderful place for authentic Italian food and wines.

Piccola Uva Wine Bar & Pizza is a great place to taste and learn about Italian wine. The waitress not only knows the wines, but how they would taste to you.  She could advise you what to taste or drink, according to your palette. I tried the below wines.

Gragnano – this is a red wine that is served chilled and is effervescent.  It has floral flavors, some fruit, is subtle, and not sweet.  It is a wonderful, festive alternative to Lambrusco.

Valpolicella Mara Ripasso – the maker of this wine also grows Amarone wine.  Not wanting to waste the Amarone leaves, the Valpolicella wine is passed over the Amarone leaves to give it more flavor.  The wine was oaked for twelve months, and aged for 6 months in the bottle.  Despite the oaking, there is not noticeable tannin in the wine.  It is a delicious, smooth, low acid and full-bodied wine.

Taburno Fallanghina – I loved this wine.  It is a white wine that smells of pear with a round, delicious floral flavor.  As a fussy white wine drinker, I loved this wine.  It rose to the occasion of providing flavor without excessive acidity.

I also tried some foods, including a cheese plate and pizza. The cheese plate that I ate had four wonderful cheeses, olives, prosciutto, and mortabella.  At the waitress’ suggestion, I also tried an individual size rustica pizza that was made to order and contained prosciutto, mozzarella, and parsley on top after the pizza was cooked.

For the cozy neighborhood looking for authentic Italian food and wine, Piccolo Uva Wine Bar & Pizza provides just the place.  It is not too fancy or expensive, and provides authenticity.

Piccolo Uva Wine Bar and Pizza is located at 161 7th Avenue bet. 1st and Garfield in Park Slope. 718-499-1400.