The weekend is upon us and you may have your favorite, expensive bottle ready to open. But there is more than enough space on the wine bar to open a few bottles of wine under or around $20. Each week I suggest wines which are in that affordable price range and which will pair well with a Friday night dinner at home, with friends who drop by unexpectedly, a Sunday supper, or with a good book waiting for you on the back porch! This week’s choices from Italy will give you just the motivation you need to create your own Italian night with traditional or cutting edge dishes. Pair whatever you decide upon with either a bright Soave or a rich Chianti Classico, both sent to me as samples. Enjoy!
**Re Midas Soave DOC 2012 (sample) – The DOC designation is similar to the French Appellation Controlèe (AC) and specifies the geographical area, permitted grape varieties, and minimum alcohol level. Recent legislation has thankfully reduced many other stipulations for a wine to be deemed DOC. The hillside vineyards within the village of Soave in the Veneto region produced the Garganega grapes found in this crisp, snappy Re Midas Soave. Served cold, the aromas were of citrus, pear, yellow flowers, and iris. Dry and full bodied with high acid, I thoroughly enjoyed the fruit forward taste profile of more citrus, pear, and honeydew. The creamy finish was elegant and pairs well with appetizers, seafood, grilled vegetables, or roasted chicken. Frankly, more consumers should take a second look at purchasing the Re Midas Soave for their everyday pleasure. And at only $10 a bottle, just purchase a case – it’s an incredible value!
**Riserva di Famiglia 2008 Chianti Classico DOCG (sample) – According to strict rules, all DOCG wines must meet DOC requirements, must be bottled in the region of production, and are subject to a Ministry of Agriculture tasting (I wonder who devised that last standard?). Each bottle must carry a numbered seal of approval and among the many other Italian wines, Chianti Classico is one. The Riserva di Famiglia is 90% Sangiovese and 10% “other” grapes grown in the Castellina area of Chianti Classico located between the cities of Florence and Siena. Shared at a family dinner of pasta with marinara sauce and more the color in the glass was a deep ruby and aromas of dark cherries,, earth, slight vegetal notes, and spice were intense and became more so after swirling. On the palate, subtle tannins, the right amount of acidity, and more earth, spice, cherries, and cloves were mouthwatering. The smooth, spicy finish was elegant and for around $24. this is a terrific value.
Cheers to the weekend – Ciao! ~ Cindy
