Even if you can’t actually visit Italy,  you can still enjoy some of the country’s gifts to us with a wonderful spread of Italian fare and, most importantly, good wine for a nice price. Here are a handful of bottles our tasting panel discovered available for under $20:

 

Banfi 2016 Centine Toscana

Grape(s): Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese

Region: Tuscan, Italy

Price: 5-10

Tasting Notes:

Bing cherry and subtle cranberry aromas mingle among expressions of leather, spice, and floral earth on the nose. Lots of cherries emerge on the palate, accented by suggestions of spice and rose petal. A lively acidity and light body make this wine a good choice for a pasta dish with fresh tomatoes.

Rating: 90

 

San Felice 2016 Chianti Classico

Grape(s): 80% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino, & 10% Pugnitello.

Region: Italy

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

Inviting aromas of bing cherries, red plums, leather and spice greets the senses. Lively flavors of cherry, cranberry, and plum interweave among expressions of earth and white pepper on the palate. Fairly light, but lifted by a nice acidity, it’s a great buy if you can find it for $15 or less.

Rating: 90

Avignonesi Cantaloro 2015 Tuscana Red

Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

Notes of cherries and blackberries mingle among expressions of pepper, all-spice, and graham cracker on the nose. Lots of dark cherry, plum, and bramble berry come together with elements of clove, white pepper, and herbs on the palate. Supple with a medium-body, it walks the line between new and old world quite nicely.

Rating: 90

Monrosso 2016 Tuscan Red Blend

Grape(s): 60% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot & 3% Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: 15-20

Tasting Notes:

An inviting nose rises from a glass, with aromas of bing cherries, plums, leather, and spice. Fairly light, flavors of cherry and dark plum come up front, followed up by suggestions of floral earth, leather, and spice. Ripe fruit is lifted by a nice acidity and there are enough savory notes to remind one it’s defiantly Italian. Nice wine for under $20.

Rating: 90

 

 

 

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