WTN: 2010 Folonari Verona (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

At time of writing, on sale for $9.95 on regular list at the LCBO. Compressed-particle, naural-cork closure. 12.5% alc./vol.

This is a wine I had eyed before, but curiously, always passed by. I'm glad I pounced on it now, though, as it's pretty substantive for the money.

Clear, pretty, medium-ruby colour. Pleasant nose of spice-tinged sour cherries and a meaty note. Cherry-berry flavours on the mid-palate, with a dash of spice, a ripe fruity mid-palate, and a tangy / slightly-sweet finish.

The wine is not particularly complex, but offers a good aromatic mix and decent structure.

Folonari - that name is a blast from the past. Following the Lambrusco craze of the 1970's there were dirt cheap jugs of Folonari Soave, Bardolino (!) and Valpolicella in every upstate NY wine shop. Didn't realize they were still around. It was drinkable, all things considered.

They've been a big name on LCBO's general list for years. The Valpolicella has a decent nose, but lacks the mid-palate heft you'd expect from the spicy nose. But, all in all, it's okay.