Spring has brought about some exciting new things around here. First and foremost, Cory and I are thrilled to introduce you to Nola – the newest epicurean member of the Zampa family – she arrived not a moment too soon on the 19th of March. She pops in from time to time- so if you see her – please say hello. Also – you can check her out on our friend Jay Reiter’s website -   http://www.jayreiter.com/blog/?tag=nola

There are new wines and new summer elixirs on the drink menu. Alongside an excellent wine selection we have a new Zampa homemade sangria – sure to quench your thirst.

We were fortunate to host a recent wine dinner with R&B vineyards from California and that helped us to kick start the new menu selections. For all that attended – thanks for a great evening!

We are rolling out the new menu now! Please stop by and have a taste! Back by popular demand we have the Duck Walnut Ravioli, a Zampa classic, and we are introducing such delights as Hot Buttered Sea Scallops and Duck Two Ways. There are many new items, so please make plans today to join us for dinner!

Hope to see you soon! Julie

The following is a press release from Perfect Wine Company:

EPPING, NH   A tasty mix of music and gastronomy is in store at Zampa in Epping, as the popular restaurant welcomes winemakers and musicians Kevin and Barbara Brown on Wednesday, May 20. The Browns, owner-operators of R&B Cellars of California will be on hand to share their fine wines and their prodigious jazz talents, with Kevin on piano and Barbara on vocals.

Zampa owners Cory McPhee and Julie DiTursi will make the festive evening complete with a sumptuous gourmet dinner with courses that harmonize beautifully with each of three R&B Cellars wines.

R&B, of course, stands for rhythm and blues, and the integration of music and wine is obvious in the philosophy of the Browns – that wine should be fun, not pretentious – and in the names they have given their wines.

The dinner will begin with a "down beat" of mesclun greens, spicy sweet pistachios, curry Clementine citronette, and baked Vermont Goat Cheese, paired with Serenade in Blanc, the Browns' 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, a complex yet elegant wine with an exceptional balance between crisp, exotic tropical citrus flavors of tank fermented wine and the creamy character of barrel fermented wine. 

The dinner will then segue into an appetizer course of pan-seared crispy Margret duck breast with a strawberry rhubarb compote, and sweet potato crisp. The accompaniment will be R&B's 2004 Saxy Syrah, a wine with intense color, aroma, and flavor. The winemaker describes the wine as a "blockbuster of blackberry fruit with exotic spice and the subtle tarry components one expects of a great Syrah." 

The evening will reach a crescendo with an entrée of black pepper braised Northeast Family Farms short ribs with wild mushroom pan sauce, rainbow Swiss chard, and twice baked truffled potato, paired with the R&B 2005 Zinfandel called Swingsville Zin, a lively wine and aroma of fresh strawberry and raspberry with hints of pepper and spice, and flavors of ripe berry with creamy cherries and an elegant spicy aftertaste.

The evening will end with a dessert course coda of almond cheesecake with a pairing of CafĂ© Brulot, a treat from the cradle of jazz.  The quaff was developed in New Orleans during Prohibition for customers to discreetly enjoy a Cognac laced coffee.

Zampa's unique four-course tasting dinner with wine and music accompaniment begins at 6:30pm and is prix fixe at $50 per person. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. For reservations, call 603-679-8772. Zampa is located at 8 Exeter Road in Epping.

R&B Cellars wines are distributed in New Hampshire by the Perfecta Wine Company. Sarah MacKinley, Certified Sommelier and Seacoast Sales Representative for Perfecta, assisted in the planning of the event.

Join us for an evening featuring fantastic wines from Portugal along with delightful food specials to compliment them! The Best of Spain~On Wednesday, May 6th, from 5-9 p.m., Casey from Wineberries in Stratham will be pouring for our fourth wine night. If you have never tried these, you will be in for a treat! Come and experience these wines along with some extra special dishes from our kitchen. We will be offering flights for $10 – 1.5 oz pours of all three varieties with $5 off when you purchase an entire glass of one of the featured wines. This is a wonderful opportunity to try some unique wines and enjoy some great new menu additions too! Read on for details!

Featured Wines

Quinta Da Murta, Bucelas Portugal 2007 100% ArintoPale yellow color with a fresh fruity aroma. Dry, very fresh acidity provided by the Arinto grape. Delicate and fine bodied with a fresh citric taste.

Grilos, Dao Sul Portugal 2006Blend of Touriga Nacional and Alfroncheiro.Aged 6 months in French Oak. The color is an intense ruby. The aroma shows notes of red fruits like black cherry and raspberry. In the mouth it has an excellent balance between acids and tannins.

Carm, Douro Portugal 2005Organic blend of Touringa Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca. Aged 65% in American, 7% in French Oak and 35% in stainless steel. Deep red color with an expression of blackberries, mulberry and black cherry, followed by figs and liquorice on the nose. The palate shows hints of toasted oak, warm spicy fruit and a silky texture.

This is a wonderful opportunity to try a few grapes that may be new to you! These wines are great with food and on their own! Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Next Wednesday, January 21, Sarah MacKinley from Perfecta wines will be joining us here at Zampa for a special evening with Peter Paul Wines. Sarah will talk about the wine and answer any questions. There will be opportunities to taste the wines featured by the glass. We will be offering Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. There will not be any formal prix fixe menu, but there will be some unique specials and recommended pairings (including a local buffalo burger with VT smoked bacon and Great Hill blue cheese!). This will be a casual and fun affair with the regular menu also available. Please call 603-679-8772 for a reservation – hope to see you here!