May 20th. 2017. It was an ordinary Saturday.
I was working at my family restaurant, Osteria del Borgo, doing what I always do—running between tables, opening bottles, living the chaos.
Then the phone rang.
They needed a sommelier.
That same evening.
At a private luxury estate.
High-profile international guests.
Requirements:
- fluent English
- experienced
- AIS 3rd level
I politely said no. I was already fully booked.
They replied:
“This is VERY important. We won’t take no for an answer.”
Then they dropped the name:
Borgo Finocchieto
And casually added:
- guests: Barack and Michelle Obama
- chef: Massimo Bottura
At that point, refusing was no longer an option.
I said:
“I obey.”
Game on
Quick shave.
AIS uniform on.
Straight in the car.
When I arrived, the place was unreal.
One of those views that makes you stop breathing for a second.
At reception, while I was trying to understand where to go…
I turn around.
And there he is.
Barack Obama
In a golf outfit.
He nods.
I freeze.
And deliver one of the worst lines of my life:
“Hello Mr. President…”
Smooth. Very smooth.
No time to panic
Inside, I met Filippo Bartolotta, who had selected the wines for the evening.
No time for emotions.
We went straight into battle mode:
- decanting
- temperature control
- glassware
- timing
A proper race against time.
The tasting begins
Guests arrive.
I meet Bottura.
Still processing reality.
Michelle is genuinely curious about wine.
Barack… less technical, more relaxed, smiling, enjoying the moment.
And then… the lineup.
1. Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2005
The perfect start.
Elegant, deep, one of the greatest Italian bubbles ever made.
2. Barolo Oddero 1961
Obama’s birth year.
Still alive. Still vertical.
Rose, tar, elegance.
A wine that refuses to age.
3. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Col d’Orcia 1964
Michelle’s birth year.
This one shocked me.
We fought the cork.
Decanted, filtered, tasted…
And suddenly:
- vibrant acidity
- earthy depth
- delicate fruit still alive
A 50+ year old Brunello behaving like a young rebel.
Meanwhile, Bottura is serving dishes like:
- Memory of a Mortadella Sandwich
- a surreal Pollo alla Cacciatora
- Parmigiano aged 36 months
I’ll be honest.
For hunger, curiosity… and zero dignity…
I stole a bite.
Sublime.
Dinner: where things got serious
We move to the dining room.
Everything is perfect.
Elegant. Precise. Almost theatrical.
Ribolla Gialla 2008 – Gravner
Starting a dinner with an orange wine like this?
Bold move.
But when it works… it’s magic.
Lambrusco Metodo Classico – Cantine della Volta
Chosen by Bottura himself.
Fresh, mineral, alive.
Paired with:
The Crunchy Part of Lasagna
Yes. You read that right.
Sassicaia 2009 – Magnum
Sassicaia
What can I say?
Orgasmic.
Perfect.
Effortless power with insane elegance.
At that moment:
- I’m holding a Sassicaia Magnum
- Bottura is plating art
- Obama is at the table
And I’m trying not to cry.
Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 – Castello di Ama
A rare off note.
Slightly dirty on the nose.
Not perfect.
And that’s fine.
Wine is alive. Not every bottle is a masterpiece.
Dessert wine (and yes… I forgot the name)
A late harvest Malvasia from Sicily.
Incredible with:
“Oops… I dropped the lemon tart”
Classic Bottura.
And then… the madness
After dessert, Bottura looks at me and says:
“Serve Lambrusco again. We’re going to knock them out.”
I’m thinking:
“This man is insane.”
But when genius speaks… you listen.
We clear the glasses.
Serve Lambrusco again.
Obama looks at me:
“Isn’t this the same wine?”
I smile:
“You’re absolutely right, Mr. President. But I believe the chef has something planned.”
He smiles back.
The grand finale
Silence.
Then the waiters walk out…
With plates of tortellini.
Boom.
Obama lights up.
The room explodes.
That was the moment.
Not the luxury.
Not the Sassicaia.
The tortellini.
Pure Italian soul.
Back in the kitchen
Bottura grabs me:
“How did it go?”
I answer:
“Obama is chuffed. We did it. We knocked them out.”
He smiles… and walks back into a standing ovation.
Aftermath
Quick photos.
Handshakes.
Then they leave…
To play bocce.
Of course.
Final thought
That night, I realized something.
Wine is not just about:
- terroir
- technique
- vintage
It’s about moments.
And sometimes…
if you’re lucky…
You get to live one that stays with you forever.
Much love from Montepulciano,
Francesco 🍷🔥
