I'm new to whole wine-serving scene, and I would like to know of some good red Italian wines that are robust. As far as price goes, I would like something leaning toward the more expensive side of the scale, but nothing crazy like a hundred dollars a bottle. Any help in this would be greatly appreciated, both by me and my dinner guests!
2007-02-17 14:08:06 · 7 answers · asked by Yangie J 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
The trouble with higher end Italian reds (more so than French, I think) is that they can often disappoint when tried too young. Many of the premium robust Italian reds like Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany and Barolo from Piedmont are high in acid and tannin. Even paired with the right foods, they can be quite harsh in youth. However, there are some examples that can be approachable even in youth.
Keeping that in mind, here are a couple of suggestions in case you can't wait 5-10 years for the wine to mature and would prefer to enjoy them now:
1) Stefano Farina Barolo 2001. This wine's style usually is a bit more palatable in youth than other Barolos. The 2001 retails around $40 and was #49 on Wine Spectator's 2005 Top 100 list, scoring 92 points. I have several bottles of the 1997, which was already quite approachable upon release, but now that it is at maturity I can't wait to try it again. Good value. 2000 and 2001 were great. Beware the 2002.
2) Brancaia Toscana Il Blu 2004. This is a "Super Tuscan" blend from Tuscany, featuring Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Retails around $70. Scored 96 points from Wine Spectator and was # 9 on their 2006 Top 100 list. The 2004 has not hit the market here yet, but I have had the 2003 (which if you can find it is about $20 cheaper). It's fruit driven but full bodied and rich.
3) As another answerer stated, Brunello di Montalcino can be a great wine and 2001 (the current one on the shelves) was a classic vintage. However, it's tough to find an example that is great right at release. Most require a few years in the cellar, or else they tend to disappoint. I recently tried the Frescobaldi "Castelgiocondo" Brunello di Montalcino 2001. This one scored 94 points from Spectator and was their # 27 wine for 2006, retailing around $70. It had been decanted for some six hours to allow it to open up. This will be a great wine in five years, but with decanting and paired with the right food, it will impress you even now with its smooth, rich, velvety texture, balanced acidity, and good fruit concentration.
Hope that helps.
Cheers!
2007-02-17 18:50:55 · answer #1 · answered by Amuse Bouche 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask for a Gattinara or a Ghemme; both are DOCG: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Certificata, meaning is certified were they come from and nobody else can claim those names; the certification usually's referred to a very small region, so it make a lot of sense.
Of course there's a lot of choice and ones from other users are very good as well.
I don't know were you live, but here a good but cheap bottle (for both) runs at about 12-15 euro (15-20 dollar, 8-12 pound); of course more expensive are also available.
2007-02-18 01:21:47 · answer #2 · answered by Pinguino 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brunello di Montalcino is a robust sangiovese-based red from Tuscany. Good ones are around $50 a bottle.
2007-02-17 14:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by Chef Mark 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Barbera or a Montepulciano (not the same as the Rosso previously mentioned -and for this latter one you must tell the wine shop owner you don't want a fruity low-end one but one of the newer ones of greater distinction than in days past).
2007-02-17 14:22:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My argument has continually been that maximum persons don't understand the diff b/w an fairly solid wine and a prettty solid one, so there is not any longer dissimilar aspect in passing some ridiculous volume. For fifteen money or a lot less there is lots of of highly solid wines my correct 2: Barefoot Merlot. that is about 5 money and plummy and chocolatey. pink Bicyclette Shiraz. it is a heartier wine and round ten money.
2016-12-04 07:48:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better Chiantis (the creme de la creme of Tuscan wines) have a white paper label over the top showing a rooster image. The better say Chianti Classico Reserva on it. BANFI product is excellent. Also vintage Amarones are heavy, but great.
2007-02-17 14:16:41 · answer #6 · answered by waynebudd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not very expensive, but my family favorite is Reunite Lambrusco. If you like red wine you will like this
2007-02-17 14:12:03 · answer #7 · answered by exechefjason 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋