Veneto

• Prosecco
• Soave

This is an inexpensive Amarone that is at least true to its name.  So many of these are just glorified Valpolicella's it seems.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has dried cherries and black cherries with an herbal note and slight raisin.  On the palate this drinks well.  Dried cherries with an herbal note.  Dry.  Good acidity.  Nice with food.  Nothing amazing here but enjoyable and drinking very well for the price.  

Light green gold in color.  The nose has minerals, limes and slight steely notes.  On the palate, this is easy drinking.  Minerals and slight citrus.  Nice texture with good acidity.  Clean.  Good with food.  Around $7 per bottle is hard to beat.  

Light silvery gold in color.  The nose is grassy and reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc.  Slightly oily in texture.  More about mninerals on the palate.  Some tart tropical fruit.  Decent acidity.  Solid wine.  

Prosecco has some of the best values in Sparkling wine.  You can get very nice bottles like this one for under $15.  Perfect for parties.  Light golden in color.  The nose has slight apples but more about minerals.  On the palate, this is crisp and dry.  Mineral driven.  Juicy acidity.  Flat out enjoyable.  

Even just a hair better than the Bardolino, this Corvino is excellent.  It retails for $17.  Ruby in color.  The nose shows cherries and leather.  On the palate, this has ripe cherries.  Great acidity.  A bit of anise on the finish is very nice.  Light tannins.  Like most Italian wines, these are made for the dinner table and the acidity will work with the food.  Outstanding value.  

Outstanding value.  This wine retails for $15 and is outstanding.  Light ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with slight minerals and slight tea.  On the palate, it shows more sour cherries with great acidity.  Would certainly work better with food.  Ligh tannins.  Good finish.  I don't think this will age a long time but it should last a few years.  Very nice.  

This is a staple at Trader Joe's (at least my local store).  For under $20, it is hard to find a less expensive Amarone.  The only problem is that it really doesn't taste like an Amarone.  At least not like the better ones that have eanred this area's reputation.  That said, it is a good solid wine that if it had been labelled Valpolicella I might have said it a fine value.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and slight dark cherries.  The fruit carries over to the palate.  Nothing dried or rasin about this.  Good acdity.  A solid wine.