Italian Wines

It has been a long time since Italian wines were the vogue. Their time was the 1960’s when Chianti was king. Every bistro, pizzeria and college dorm room had the ever present straw covered Chianti bottle as a candle holder, resplendent with multicolored melted wax drippings. As the 60’s departed so did the Chianti rage. It was not that the wine that changed, it was the wine drinker’s preferences that changed. American’s discovered California white wines and they reigned supreme during the 1970’s, Italian wine languished in almost obscurity finding their place mostly in Italian-American homes and restaurants. The resurgence began in the 1990’s when American’s discovered pinot grigio and Asti Spumanti.
Today, Italian wines are again being appreciated by serious amateurs and casual wine drinkers alike. While they still make their ever-loved Chianti, Italian winemakers have broadened their spectrum to include the popular varieties as well as continuing to use the traditional native varieties and in some cases combining them. One of these combinations, cabernet sauvignon and the native sangiovese, are called Super Tuscans and are a current favorite among the wine aficionados. There is however, one thing that has not changed and that is the ability of an Italian wine to bring a smile to ones face and occasionally, a song to the lips.

Da Vinci 2007 Chianti ($12.99). Although not swathed in a straw basket or in the bulb shaped bottle of the past, Da Vinci 2007 Chianti is as true to the old fashioned Tuscan recipe as you can get. The brilliant deep garnet color heralds fresh and pleasant aroma of violets and dried plums with a hint of wild berries in the background. The flavor is full and powerful, accenting blackberries, plums and an earthy flavor that has become synonymous with Chianti. As far as what this wine will accompany; everything, after all, it is Chianti.

Bella Sera 2008 Chianti ($7.99). This wine is a picture perfect Chianti, with all of the flavors and aromas that made Chianti an international favorite. It is a big and robust wine that despite all of its power, maintains a soft velvet-like character. The wine has a complex fruit aroma with the accent on plums and cherries. The flavor exhibits the same plum and cherry elements, which mingles with sweet raisins and just the slightest hint of oak. As you may well imagine, this wine will go well with Italian foods, but it should not be relegated solely to that niche, it will fit well wherever a red wine is called for.
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Bella Sera 2008 Veneto Pinot Grigio ($7.99). Veneto is the district of Italy that is the home of the canal city of Venice and also the pinot grigio grape. This wine is the quintessential pinot grigio and embodies all of the beauties that the grape can offer. It is crystal clear, pale straw in color and has an aroma reminiscent of summer wild flowers and fresh Bosc pears. These aromas carry over to the flavor and linger in the mouth long after the wine has been finished. This is an excellent pinot grigio that can accompany a wide variety of foods but is a standout with shrimp or mild cheese based dishes.

Maso Canali Pinot Grigio ($17.99). Another melody on the same theme. The grapes for this wine come from the Trentino district which is in the far northwest of Italy and famous for its white grapes. This is a soft, straw colored, wine with a rich fruity bouquet and a lively flavor. While the wine is dry, the flavor and aroma of the grape variety is presented right up front giving the impression of sweetness. The aroma of summer fruits, most specifically, apricots and pears are presented in huge amounts. The flavor is crisp and has a raisin-like quality coupled with the acid bite of limes, all of which carry over to the finish, which is long, clean and fresh. This is a wine that should not be overlooked.