WTN: Two interesting Italian Wines

With something like 400 grape varieties being grown in Italy I have been having fun tasting many different wines. Lots of Italian wines are very reasonable and we are lucky enough in St. Louis to have a small wine store with an in depth knowledge of Italian wines.

'06 Terredora di Paolo "Aglianico"- Aglianico is a dominate red grape in southern Italian and this example from Campania was delicious. The wine has spice on the nose that extends to the palate, black berry fruit and mature tannins in the background. The wine was medium bodied but had a nice finish. The back label said it spends a short time in barrel and then 6 months in stainless wich seemed to make sense since there was minimal oak that was well integrated. This is a nicely balanced wine, went well with grilled chicken breasts and for $12.99 I will be buying more.

'01 Castello di Gabbiano "Alleanza"- This is 60% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 10% Cab and a joint effort by the wine maker at Castello di Gabbiano and Beringer (Sbragia). I have never liked any of Sbragia's wines but this is really good, sorta like a Chianti Classico on steroids, fruit forward but with nice acidity, sangiovese flavors and backbone. Somewhat new world but once you know the grape mix you can pick them all out in the glass. I bought 1/2 case and with a case price of $16.19 hard to beat.

Walt

and we are lucky enough in St. Louis to have a small wine store with an in depth knowledge of Italian wines.

Walt,

What is the name of the store? Sounds like a great place.

and we are lucky enough in St. Louis to have a small wine store with an in depth knowledge of Italian wines.

Walt,

What is the name of the store? Sounds like a great place.

Keith,
It is called Parker's Table and rather small. Jonathan really knows Italian wines, the only place in town, and is fun to talk to. I tend to by lots of one bottle wines and am seldom dissapointed. It is a long way from Germany and probably not worth the trip.
Walt

Walt,
There is a great article on Aglianico del Vulture in the December issue of Art of Eating. Ed Behr does his usually fantastic job of exploring Aglianico, mostly about Basilicata but some side lines on Campania also. Highly recommended reading for his clear headed style and ability to probe beyond the more superficial issues in a limited space such as a quarterly magazine. One of the best wine and food writers out there, IMHO.

Thanks for the notes,
Marc