BEST BUYS: Italy

Best Buys Main  

• • 1994 Nebbiolo delle Langhe (Seghesio) Reviewed, October, 1998
  •  1999 Chianti (Piccini) Feb 2001
  • 1999 Chianti "Borghi d'Elsa" (Melini) Feb, 2001
  • 1997 Dolcetto "S. Anna" (Vietti) Reviewed, July/August, 2000 Tasting Notes. 
  • 1997 Merlot (Falesco) Reviewed, April, 1999. A consistent and reliable Best Buy pick.
  • 1999 Pinot Grigio from Alois Lageder in Alto Adige Reviewed, January, 2001.
  • 1994 Castello di Poppiano Syrah (Gucciardini)

  • 1999 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (F. Guelfi)  (Feb 2002) Unbearably fruity at time, but structure, too

  • 1999 Nero d’Avola  (Do Zenner) (Feb 2002) Tasty and structured, another pretty Sicilian
  • 2000 Rosso di Montepulciano (Dei) (Feb 2002) Sweet, fruity and delicious
  • 1999 Dolcetto d’Alba (M. Molino) (Feb 2002) Sexy, opulent and ripe Dolcetto
  • 1999 Etna Rosso (Val Cerasa)  (Feb 2002) Sicilian wine likely to drink well young—even now.
  • 2000 Falesco Vitiano, an amazing $8 wine in most places. Reviewed, August, 2001.
  • 1997 Chianti Classico (Casa Emma) Succulent and inexpensive, hits near $15. (Sept 2003)
  • 2000 Rosso Regaleali (Tasca d'Almerita) (December, 2002) Immensely charming for the price.
    2000/2001 Neroibleo (Gulfi) (December, 2002) Tasty, flamboyant, soft and bright
    2001 Valcanziria Bianco (Gulfi) (December, 2002) In Italy, a mere $5, an amazing value.
  • 2001 Dolcetto d'Alba "Cottá" (Sottimano) Stunning Dolcetto--and $13. March, 2003.
  • 1999 Palazzo della Torre IGT (Allegrini)   Often, this will exceed $15, but should come close: April 2003
  • 2000 Costera IGT (Argiolas)  About $12--a Sardinian load of fun! April ,2003
  • 2000 Primitivo Salento  (Cantine due Palme) Under $15. Big and powerful Italian "zin"
  • 2001 "Canonico"  Salento Negroamaro IGT   (Cantine due Palme) $10 steal
  • 2001 Tenuta Albrizzi (Cantine due Palme)  Cab/primitivo blend for roughly $10.
  • 2003 Falanghina (Feudi di San Gregorio) Nice little wine from Campania (September 2004)
  • 2004 Rosé "Vitiano" (Falesco) $9  (June 2005) Remarkable depth for a pink!
  • 2001 Aglianico del Taburno (Ocone) (September 2005) Campagna--a place to find values!

  • 2001 "Moro" IGT (Fattoria Montellori)  (September 2005) About $13, and delicious, in an easy drinking style. From Tuscany

  • 2001 Nebbiolo Rosé “Il Mimo” Vigneti di Cantalupo  (Novaresi)  Reviewed, June 2002. Under $10

  There is a wealth of fine, cheap wine in Italy. Italy, Spain and the South/Southwest of France are the red wine drinkers' paradises--wines that are actually interesting and very good, and still lots to choose from under $15. 

  Despite a run-up in pricing in prestige wines like Super Tuscans and Barolos, there are still tons of cheap, and extremely well made Italian wines that don't cost much.  The Nebbiolo from Seghesio at about $15 is cheap, fruity, not harsh or astringent, absolutely delicious. The Syrah goes it several steps further for around $15. Lush, sweet and fruity, it takes awhile before syrah flavors poke through. The Merlot is bursting with flavor and juicy fruit for just $13. Dolcetto is always cheap, sometimes superlative. In a recent tasting, it was the Viettis that paced the field. Want a charming aperitif? Try that pinot grigio...The Falescos are always spectacular bargains. Or, adopt the well known strategy of trying less prominent regions like Apulia, Sicily and Sardinia--try the Costera, the Regaleali, the Cantine due Palme selections. 

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