We love a good bargain, especially when it comes to wine, and one of our favorite countries to find nice bottles for a nice price is Italy.  With hundreds of years making wine under their belts, the Italian know how to deliver classic character for a reasonable price.  Here are a few bottles that we discovered recently: 

Gabbiano 2015 Chianti Classico

Grape(s): Sangiovese

Region: Chianti, Italy

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

Lots of bing cherries mingle among expressions of cigar box, herbs, and leather on the nose. Fairly lively on the palate, cherry and red plum flavors wrap around nuances of floral earth, leather, and herbs. The solid acidity lifts the fruit in this wine, making chicken parmigiana a nice pairing. Drink now.

Rating: 90

Pico Maccario Lavignone 2016 Barbera D’Asti

Grape(s): Barbera

Region: Italy

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

Cherry and pomegranate aromas merge with accents of leather, herbs, and violets on the nose. Savory flavors take center stage, as leather, herbs and violet notes flow into elements cherry and plum. A lively acidity and plush tannins make this wine ideal for a gourmet pizza.

Rating: 89

 

Monte Antico 2014 Toscana

Grape(s): 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet, & 5% Merlot

Region: Toscana, Italy

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

A bouquet of dark cherries, violets, ginger, and spice rises up from a glass. The palate brings together expressions of cherry and raspberry with suggestions of cedar, vanilla, and perfumed flowers. Delivering polished tannins and good fruit character, it’s a bargain for your Italian night dinner.

Rating: 90

Icario Rosso 2014 Icario Toscana

Grape(s): 70% Sangiovese, 20% Teroldego, & 10% Merlot

Region: Toscana, Italy

Price: 10-15

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of cherries and plums interweave among hints of earth and herbs on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and plum meld with suggestions of herbs and forest floor on the palate. Welcoming fruit and supple tannins make this an approachable wine.

Rating: 89