by Treve Ring | One of those cozy, casual, and unpretentiously delicious neighbourhood joints that every good ‘hood wants, Nook betters the livability of both the West End (Denman Street location) and Kitsilano (Yew Street location). Authentically charred pizzas, effectively simple pastas, and a tight, Italian-focused wine list ups the regulars’ return rate. I recently chatted up Christopher Royal, Wine Director for both Nook locations (as well as sister restaurant Tavola) about what he has LISTED.

Nook | West End, 781 Denman St. | Kitsilano, 1525 Yew St. | Twitter | Instagram

How many wines on your list? At Nook, we base our list on 2 bubbles, 1 rosé, 10 whites, and 14 reds. So, 27-ish. There are always more off-list, if guests ask.

How is your list organized? Nook is all Italian with an emphasis on Southern and Central Italy. Nook on Yew is Italian-only but it follows Tavola more with a broader range, and has the occasional BC wine special on the board.

What one wine are you most excited about right now on your list? A new Taurasi single vineyard called Marziacanale from Vinosia in Campania. Modern aglianico, big and powerful. Taurasi has been historically called the Barolo of the south but this is more like Bordeaux; herbaceous with tobacco, dark chocolate and black cherry fruit pounded into a leather saddlebag.

What’s the top selling wine on your list? At Nook for a white, Tre Bicchieri winner, Ca’ Del Magro a Custoza from Monte del Fra (BCLDB specialty listed), and with red it’s a toss up between Arceno Chianti Classico and Dolianova Cannonau di Sardegna.

What’s the newest arrival to your list? Greco di Tufo from Vinosia in Campania; beautiful fruit, bright with great minerality and a long finish; very summer sexy.

The one product you will never list? If You See Kay from Lazio. It’s not a bad wine, quite the contrary, but it’s just too easy. I like wines that challenge people a little bit. We’ve had it at Nook and Tavola before and we carry it at Nook on Yew now. It’s a huge seller there and it’s never seen the list or even the special board.

Money/availability is no option. What one wine would you list? I have it already but not very much! Quintodecimo “Grande Cerzito” Taurasi Riserva 2010. Didn’t want anything to do with it, until I tried it. Oh boy! This is a ‘once in a lifetime’ kind of wine. It is a black hole of a wine that saturates you emotionally and leaves you wondering what happened.

Your fave food/beverage pairing currently in your restaurant? Falanghina San Gregorio with our Spaghetti Puttanesca — just awesome.

Your insider top food/wine pairing tip? Avoid tannic wines and spice. It’ll turn the wine to metal in your mouth.

Favourite wine list in Vancouver, other than your own? For shear operatic audacity, La Terrazza. For brevity and depth, Tableau at the Loden Hotel.

THE DRINKER’S ARCHIVE