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

In attempting to discover the grapes in this, a brief search on the Internet revealed lots of suspects but no definitive answer.  Other grapes mentioned include Nerello Mascalese, Perricone and Merlot.  The varietals that popped up the most are a blend of Nero D'avola with a small percentage of Syrah.   Purple in color with a rim of persistent bubbles.  This wine is made in a "natural" style but other than the bubbles there were no noticeable faults.  The nose has lots of sour cherries, some anise, black pepper and slight black olives.  On the palate, this has light tannins, tart acidity an

This is Grenache, called Cannonau in Sardinia. The Riserva designation indicates two years ageing before release including at least six months in barrel.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherries with slight herbal notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a slightly bitter note on the attack.  Lots of cherry fruit.  Medium tannins.  Slightly thin on the finish.  This drinks nicely on its own but works better with food.  A classic pizza wine.  

Lovely Barolo at a great place.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, tar, slight roses and dust.  Medium bodied.  Medium to light tannins.  Layers of fruit and tertiary notes.  Cherries, and forest floor.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but really needs food.  Pasta with truffles or mushroom in a cream sauce would be great.  It is at peak but there should be another 5 to ten more years of peak drinking.  

This is from Umbria in Italy.  This bottle was bought on release and cellared.  Shared with friends who don't particularly like older wines and they did not like it.  I, however, was captivated by it.  Purple in color, opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has plums, black cherries, dust, and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Dense.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, not much fruit left but some black cherries.  Lots of tertiary notes of dust, tobacco, forest floor and minerality.  Strong acidity.  Complex and layered.  Nice finish.  Contemplative.  This is fully mature and past prime for some.  It

This Super Tuscan is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, chocolate, dust, black cherries, spice and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Juicy acidity.  Great plush texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, char some forest floor notes.  Young but complex and deep.  Delicious.  This is great on its own but even better with food.  It worked well with mushroom ravioli.  It certainly can be drunk now and for the next twenty years.  

This is a sweet red sparkling wine from northwest Italy.  Low in alcohol (6.5%) and high in fun.  It is made from 100% Brachetto grapes.  Maroon in color, frothy, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with tomato paste, red peppers, tomato vine and some raspberries.  Easy to drink.  Sweet and tasty.  On the  palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Not too different than the Faygo Red Pop of my youth.  Refreshing.  Long finish.  This drinks nice on its own and will work with cheeses and perhaps a not too sweet chocolate dessert.  Drink now.  This bottle was Lot L211955.

This is a blend of 34% Sangiovese, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 33% Merlot from Tuscany.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, tea leaves, black cherries and coffee grounds.  Nice texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some underlying forest floor.  A bit of heat on the finish.  This is a wine that drinks easy right now but should develop some complexity with a bit of age.  

This is 100% Nero d'Avola from Sicily.  Ruby in color, some brown swirls, clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries with some soy.  Airy.  Medium bodied.  Thick tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and smoke.  Long finish that shows some alcohol.  the wines has 13.5%abv.  It is drinking nicely, but one wonders if there is enough fruit to outlast the tannins.  Drink sooner than later.  A nice match with cheeses or braised meats.  

This is 100% Nero d'Avola from the far western side of Sicily.  Ruby in color with some brown hues, clear and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, cherries and thyme.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries and anise.  Nice acidity.  Plenty of depth.  Delicious.  A hint of salinity on the finish.  This is drinking well on its own and will work well with bigger meat dishes.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

This is made from the Nero d'Avola grape in south-western Sicily.  Ruby in color, clear and shimmering bright.  The nose has cherries, black licorice and slight balsamic notes.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Some warmth on the finish.  Long finish.  This is mostly about red fruit but a bit bigger and brighter.  It drinks well on its own and will go great with pasta or pizza.  A nice value.  Drink over the next four to six years.