As I, an ordinary New Hampshire wine lover, prepare to to taste some Italian wines to recommend to family and friends for Thanksgiving I have a modicum of trepidation in this pleasurable endeavor. Because of the many different wines an Italian winery might make, the many different vintages, varietals, more than 31 Red wines alone, and styles of wine, Italy has over a MILLION wineries and California has maybe 1200, some say 3,000. This means I'll never, if I live to be two hundred years old, make a Dent in the myriads of Italian wines hidden in the catacombs of the Italian hills, coastal regions, and city backyards.
Some of you are aware of my complaining that NH just doesn't have a great enough choice in Zinfandel wines, but in the case of Italian wines not so much a problem, though as I search for Brunello di Montalcino wines there is not so much either, but as for your average everyday Chianti drinker, you (New Hampshire residents, and please refrain from allusions to http://www Hannibal Lecter's pairing.) will find plenty to taste.
So, this post is one of those boring preludes to the real thing, but this has its genesis in my wanting to be the "best" advocate I can be, Price is almost always the prime mover, but even us lowly middle-class folk want the most for our buck. I'll not just try Italian wines that are inexpensive, but I'll taste some more expensive wines too; you can't hardly buy a Brunello di Montalcino for under $30.00, and since that is my favorite (So far) Italian wine, I'm going to begin with one of those.
You may have noted along the wine-way that some have (Not me, not yet) compared Brunello di Montalcino with Pinot Noir.
If you followed the Brunello di Montalcino link above you know more than 99.8% of Americans about this wine, but if you are like me you just read over it. I will just say that Brunello di Montalcino is a highly prized 100% Sangiovese wine and is treated legally and rigorously to maintain its character, purity, and quality; this wine is a "Keeper" and should not even be served for upwards of 10 years after bottling, but since I might not be here to taste it, I'll venture to try some of it a bit early and get hints of what will be (Some like to say evolve), and if the wine is so good now, I'll take a chance and buy another for when I'm so old I'll forget where I put it.
With all that "Hot-air" I'll give you a picture and a promise to give a review very soon.
I have other Italian wines, but for now, what you see is what you get, and if you see one that particularly interests you, let me know and I'll put it at the top of my time-table. And please no cracks about my Italian platter.
Some of you are aware of my complaining that NH just doesn't have a great enough choice in Zinfandel wines, but in the case of Italian wines not so much a problem, though as I search for Brunello di Montalcino wines there is not so much either, but as for your average everyday Chianti drinker, you (New Hampshire residents, and please refrain from allusions to http://www Hannibal Lecter's pairing.) will find plenty to taste.
So, this post is one of those boring preludes to the real thing, but this has its genesis in my wanting to be the "best" advocate I can be, Price is almost always the prime mover, but even us lowly middle-class folk want the most for our buck. I'll not just try Italian wines that are inexpensive, but I'll taste some more expensive wines too; you can't hardly buy a Brunello di Montalcino for under $30.00, and since that is my favorite (So far) Italian wine, I'm going to begin with one of those.
You may have noted along the wine-way that some have (Not me, not yet) compared Brunello di Montalcino with Pinot Noir.
If you followed the Brunello di Montalcino link above you know more than 99.8% of Americans about this wine, but if you are like me you just read over it. I will just say that Brunello di Montalcino is a highly prized 100% Sangiovese wine and is treated legally and rigorously to maintain its character, purity, and quality; this wine is a "Keeper" and should not even be served for upwards of 10 years after bottling, but since I might not be here to taste it, I'll venture to try some of it a bit early and get hints of what will be (Some like to say evolve), and if the wine is so good now, I'll take a chance and buy another for when I'm so old I'll forget where I put it.
With all that "Hot-air" I'll give you a picture and a promise to give a review very soon.
Copyright 2011 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved
There are other things about Italy that just lift the soul; listen to Andrea Bocelli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD9JCc6LRI8
There are other things about Italy that just lift the soul; listen to Andrea Bocelli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD9JCc6LRI8
Dennis, would be interested to see how the '07 Chianti Classico goes for you. Considering it's only been bottled for 4 years it seems like a shame to open it but interested to hear which out of this bunch you enjoy the most anyway!
ReplyDeleteBen, how many days until Thanksgiving? The number of wines tried will depend on how many tasters visit!
ReplyDelete