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

it's always a treat to drink Solaia, especially with a few years on it.  It is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc.  At age 12, this seems to ageing a bit faster than many vintages, but that puts it in a great place now.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, chocolate and slight tarragon.  On the palate, this has such wonderful balance.  A bit on the  voluptuous side but enough acidity to balance it off.  Cassis  and black cherries layered with an earthy/roasted herb quality.  Complex.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now, it sh

This is another mid-tier Barolo that savvy shoppers should be on the lookout for when it goes on sale.  These wines, especially in top vintages are really excellent.  This one was picked up for $42 which  is great for a Barolo of this quality.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, rose, and roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this still has firm tannins.  It opens more with air.  Cherries over a scorched earth with nice layering.  Great balance.  Very elegant.  Long finish.  This is close to peak but should do another ten to twelve years.  A great match with p

Barolo's, like most wines, are available in wide price points and quality levels.  Savvy shoppers can often find some of the mid-range producers at less expensive pricing and that can be a nice buying opportunity.  This is one that fits into that category.  It cost about $30 just a few years ago.  It was young and needed some time, but for this class of Barolo, ten years is a good time to check in.  And this is drinking very nicely now.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with cherries, slight roses and tar.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins that increase with air.  Nice fre

This is a desert wine from one of the world's great winemakers.  At age 19, this is fresh and drinking great.  Tasted from a 375ml bottle.  Purple in color with ruby hues.  The nose is pretty with black cherries, dried red currants, slight mint and milk chocolate.  Full bodied and viscous.  Sweet but nowhere near cloying.  On the palate, this is rich with cherries, black cherries, slight simple syrup, dried herbs and slight alcohol.  Long finish.  This is complex, contemplative and also delicious.  It should easily go another decade or more.  This is one to sip a small glass with on its own

This is an inexpensive Montepulciano from Italy.  It is made from certified organic grapes and comes in a screw capped bottle.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries and warm earthiness.  On the palate, this has sour cherries with firm tannins.  Moderate acidity.  It finishes with plums and slightly bitter almond notes.  Consumed over three days, this was best on day one and two and then fell off.  It is easy drinking but works better with food than on its own.  A great choice for pizza or burgers.  This is a nice value although it pays to shop around.  

This is a lovely Pinot Grigio from Sicily.  It comes in a tinted green clear bottles, but the wine is silvery copper/gold in color.  On the nose there is a nice steeliness to it along with some limes.  With air, a bit of chalk emerges.  Nice acidity with a slightly oily texture.  On the palate, this is dry.  Notes of lemons and wintergreen.  Slight tannins.  The finish has sour lemon candy.  This is a big wine with some warmth to it.  Very refreshing on its own but worked better with a Watermelon, Feta and Mint salad.  This should be consumed in the next two or three years but the sooner th

This is drinking well right now.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, sandalwood, dried cherries and slight anise.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  The cherries carry thru with an underlying minerality.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks better with food and went well with home grilled pizza.  It should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese which makes it a "Super Tuscan".  It is, however, not expensive and truly a great value.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, baking spices and slight woodiness.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  A nice backbone of acidity.  It has a soft but inviting texture.  Delicious red berry fruit with underlying dry earthiness.  Medium finish.  This drinks great on its own but is better with food.  A great "pizza wine".  It should be good for another five to seven years.  

Tintilia is a grape that is native to the province of Molise in Italy.  Think of the back of the knee in the boot.  With a few exceptions, Molise is not known for their wines, but this grape could be changing things.  This deep ruby in color, a bit lighter at the rim.  The nose has plums, cherries and baking spices and smoke.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the plums are at the forefront but there are cherries in the background.  Underneath is a charred, earthy quality.  There is some acidity but not what one might expect from Italy.  This is broad and delicious wine that took a few hours in

This is always one of the top Arneis's.  It comes from northern Italy where the Giacosa winery is one of the top wineries.  Light golden in color.  The nose has a nice minerality along with some peaches and a hint of melon.  On the palate, the melon is more dominant with underlying minerality.  A lovely texture with enough acidity to carry everything.  This is delicious, too.  It will work better with food although it drinks fine on its own.  A nice match for a fruit salad or seafood.  This should be consumed in the next five years.