Natty, Quirky, Classy: Italian Wine a Collaborative Tasting

The wide and wonderful world of wine has something for everyone to love, including the people. We are thrilled to collaborate with two South Florida wine scene powerhouses. Jackie Pirolo of Macchialina in Miami Beach and Allegra Angelo of Vinya in Coral Gables and Key Biscayne. These two are responsible for some of the most exciting and buzz-worthy winelists in the area, and we are thrilled to be bringing them to you here at Small Wine Shop!

Last time we joined together with Allegra Angelo for a selection of wines we loved with ugly labels. Those hidden gems were a delight to share with you all. This time we are showing off our respective niches. You all know that we adore natural and low-intervention wines. So we are bringing you two natural Italian wines that speak to Italy’s vibrant natural wine scene. Jacqueline Pirolo’s all-Italian wine list at Macchialina shows off the dynamic variety Italy has to offer, from truly natty styles to tried and true classics and everything in between. Her choices for this tasting will show off some of that same dynamic variety you find on her wine list. Allegra Angelo brings us two classic Italian styles that highlight everything we have come to LOVE about the wines of Italy. This tasting is a journey through Italian wine you won’t want to miss!

Jacqueline Pirolo, Managing Partner/Beverage Director, Macchialina

Jacqueline Pirolo isn’t one to shy away from hard work. Born in Italy, Pirolo grew up stateside in an Italian household with three older brothers. A graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing, she began waiting tables at a lively Italian eatery with a Tuscan ambiance, her first foray into the world of fine dining. She and her brothers opened The Saint Austere in Brooklyn, New York, in 2010, where she served as owner and general manager for its ten-year run”. In Miami Beach, Pirolo now oversees the beverage program and day-to-day operations of the award-winning rustic Italian eatery, Macchialina. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed. She earned a Pineapple Award for Best Sommelier (2018) and a Wine Spectator Award (2019). She was featured by the same publication for her “small but mighty” wine list. Most recently, she was recognized by Wine Enthusiast in their article Meet the 7 Female Wine Pros Shaping Miami’s Red-Hot Beverage Scene.

Allegra Angelo is the Co-Founder, Partner, and Sommelier, Vinya

Her journey starts with sweet beginnings as a pastry cook at New York City’s Jean-Georges before being called by warmer nights and the opportunity to serve as the sommelier and wine director for Chef Michelle Bernstein to Miami — the first stop on her road to developing more than 20 unique wine and spirit programs across the country. Since then, she has made her mark on Magic City, working with local staples, including, Mignonette, Stiltsville Fish Bar, Café La Trova, and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. But her work doesn’t end on the dining room floor. Allegra worked wine harvests in Burgundy, Tuscany, and Spain. She was the 2016 winner of TopSomm, the U.S. national sommelier competition, and has passed all three parts of the Master Sommelier exam. Most recently, she was recognized by Wine Enthusiast in their article Meet the 7 Female Wine Pros Shaping Miami’s Red-Hot Beverage Scene.

(FREE FOR WINE CLUB MEMBERS)

What to expect: A super informative, informal tasting. Feel free to ask questions and chat with the Small Wine Shop team. You will taste through 6 different wines. Seating is not guaranteed but great wine and good conversation are!
(Standing is good for the soul)