Italy

• Abruzzo
• Alto Adige
• Apulia
• Basilicata
• Calabria
• Campagna
• Emilia-Romagna
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia
• Liguria
• Lombardia
  • Franciacorta
• Marche
• Molise
• Piedmont (Piemonte)
• Sicily
  • Mt. Etna
• Trentino-Alto Adige
• Tuscany
  • Brunello di Montalcino
  • Chianti
• Umbria
• Valle d'Aosta
• Veneto
  • Prosecco
  • Soave
• Sardinia

A very nice Prosecco and a lovely way to start an evening.  Light golden in color with green hues.  A persistent stream of bubbles.  The nose has almonds, pears and minerals.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet on the palate.  Notes of pears and underlying minerals.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy and smooth.  Nice to sip on its own, it will work well with a wide variety of food.  Soft cheeses worked well.

This comes in an attractively packaged squat bottle with a wire cage for the cork (which makes a festive pop when opened).  Pale gold in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  There are a good amount of small bubbles.  The nose is nice with green apples and pears.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is very refreshing.  Flavors of honeydew and slight lemons.  Slightly sweet.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is a tasty, fun wine.  It drinks well on its own and would work with lighter foods and also fried foods such as Shishido Peppers.  Drink over the next year or two.   

This is a hearty red wine from northern Italy made with Teroldego grapes.

This is a nice Pinot Grigio made from organically grown grapes.  Pale golden in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with citrus, slight apple and a bit of smokiness.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, this is refreshing.  Nice lemons, slight orange and a bit of apples with just a hint of roasted herbs.  Nice finish.   This drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  A nice match would be grilled fish.  Drink over the next few years.  Well priced!

This is a Rose made in Sicily from 40 year old Nerello Mascalese vines.  Very pale pink with slight orange swirls.  The side of my glass is filled with tiny bubbles.  The nose is nice with cherries, almonds and slight wintergreen.  Medium bodied and slightly viscous.  Jut the slightest bit of spritz to the wine.  Probably trapped CO2 as there is nothing off about it. On the palate, this is crisp with sour cherries, cherries and slight minerality.  Long finish.  This is smooth with no bitterness.  Drink over the next few years.  This would work well with deep fried veggies or chicken strips.

Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dried cherries, dried tea leaves, and some spice.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is a bit tired and past prime but still with something to offer.  Cherries, dried cherries aand forest floor notes along with some old leather.  Moderate finish.  This is better with food at this point.  It will work well with a nice plate of pasta.  Drink up.  

Perhaps the top Chianti available, this wine is always good especially from such a great vintage as 2016.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, hay, anise and slight forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, bold cherries, slight sour cherries, char and slight tea leaves.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but still on the young side.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own but really begs for food.  Pasta with bolognaise sauce is perfect.

This comes in an attractively shaped stout clear bottle with a greenish hue.  The wine is light straw, clear and bright.  The nose is deep with peaches, floral notes, and slight tropical fruits.  Medum bodied.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  More about minerality but peach comes thru on the finish.  This drinks well on its own but will work better with food.  It should drink well for the next few years.  A nice wine with sea food but this will work well with pasta, too. This is a great value in Pinot Grigio!  12% a.b.v.

This is a blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, black cherries and sandalwood. Medium bodied.  Strong acidity.  On the palate, tart cherries and some cherries.  moderate finish.  This wine really needs food.  Some simple pasta or pizza would work.  Drink over the next few years.

Decanted for sediment, this is still a bit young but no harm opening now.  Deep garnet with slight bricking, clear and bright.  Classic nose of cherries, slight dried cherries, some floral/rose notes and slight tar.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is showing nice complexity.  Lots of cherries, some dried cherries, with some underlying forest floor, mushrooms and tar.  Long finish.  This drinks better with food.  Mushroom pizza is a great choice.  Drink over the next fifteen to twenty years.