WTN: My First Italian...Thanks Paulo!!

1998 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: 13 % alcohol. $19.99 USD. Importer: Classica USA, Napa, CA. Varietals: Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), Canaiolo Nero, Mammolino.

It was a brick/ruby red colour. Very aromatic nose of cherry, leather, orange oil, and a touch of barnyard. On the palate there was lots of acidity, cherries and cranberries. There was a nice sour cherry finish. Nice tannins.

When I first opened this wine up I loved the aroma. After my first sip, I thought, wow, this has lots of acidity! But once I began to drink it with dinner I was hooked. WOW...so great with food. The acid also softened with time. I really enjoyed this!

Ok...Paulo...what's next?!

Oooh! Good start.

Maybe next, a Rosso di Montalcino? Or a really good Chianti Classico?

Excellent producer. Their introductory Rosso di Toscana is even more affordable, at only $10 in Cost Plus. Similar really nice, dark fruit and savory goodness.

Wow...that thread title threw me for a bit!!!

I wonder, now, about Paulo's first Italian.... does he remember????

Avignonesi's a good [and brave] place to start. Their 2003 Vino Nobile made Wine Spectator's top 100 Wines of 2006 [the only nobile to do so].

If you can find it I strongly recommend Poliziano's Rosso [2005] as a simple table wine. Do not decant it.

Wow...that thread title threw me for a bit!!!

I wonder, now, about Paulo's first Italian.... does he remember????

Glad you said it first, cause I was wondering the same thing when I read the subject line.

[b]

Ok...Paulo...what's next?!

So glad to hear you enjoyed this Vino Nobile, Maria! Next? Well - the sky is the limit!!! If you have access to the Poliziano Vino Nobile, as Ryan suggested, I would taste it so that you can taste something more modern, extracted, and fruit driven. I believe that one needs to be fully aware of these styles to truly understand Italy. For me traditional versus modern is a crucial factor in my wine enjoyment. Definitely try a Chianti Classico, Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello (big, big, big wine to have with steak!). You should also seek out a Sagrantino di Montefalco (I am Umbria biased as I go there often!) as well as a Rosso di Montefalco.

Wow...that thread title threw me for a bit!!!

I wonder, now, about Paulo's first Italian.... does he remember????

It was sooooo long ago, Jim!!!!

And our memories aren't what they used to be!!!

Salute, amico!!!

Paulo..Wot no Val-poll-i-cella!!!

Maria, me no Italain but I likey de Serego Alighieri.

Maria,

ItalianMade is also a great site to learn about Italy. Here is a link to their wine section. Lots of good information there just to learn about the different regions and wine classifications, etc.

http://www.italianmade.com/wines/primer-toc.cfm

Wow...that thread title threw me for a bit!!!

I wonder, now, about Paulo's first Italian.... does he remember????

Yeah, the thread title made me think of what my wife must have told all her friends after she first met me

Oh boys...please get your mind out of the gutter! LOL!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I went ahead and ordered a bottle of the Poliziano Vino Nobile to compare styles. I will post WTNs as soon as I drink it (be on the lookout for "My Second Italian...Thanks again Paulo!!" )

Not going to post a specific WTN in a new thread [because honestly I'm not qualified], but here's sort of a Restaurant/Wine review.

Local grill in Ringwood, NJ called Prime 15 has a decent wine list. Normally the wines on restaurant lists are vastly marked up, not to mention the fact I don't recognize most of the names.

Anyway, I decided to check out the wine list one day and was amazed not only find a bottle of Poliziano VNdM "Asinone" [2000], but that it was exceptionally priced at just under $50 for a bottle [you can't really get it for less than $30 in the US, and I think we paid 35Euros at the winery for a bottle]. All of the wines are similarly priced [that is, not marked up too much].

Anyway... we bought one and loved it, and can't wait to open up our own bottle [in 4.5 years]. Later on in the night my wife got a glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and it's just amazing the difference you can discern between a quality bottle of wine and a subpar bottle. The d'Abruzzo was weak in comparison, bordering on unpleasant. Whereas the Asinone was bold and tasty, and made you savor it.

I look forward to your Vino Nobile notes because I've got several bottles.

Not going to post a specific WTN in a new thread [because honestly I'm not qualified], but here's sort of a Restaurant/Wine review.

Local grill in Ringwood, NJ called Prime 15 has a decent wine list. Normally the wines on restaurant lists are vastly marked up, not to mention the fact I don't recognize most of the names.

Anyway, I decided to check out the wine list one day and was amazed not only find a bottle of Poliziano VNdM "Asinone" [2000], but that it was exceptionally priced at just under $50 for a bottle [you can't really get it for less than $30 in the US, and I think we paid 35Euros at the winery for a bottle]. All of the wines are similarly priced [that is, not marked up too much].

Anyway... we bought one and loved it, and can't wait to open up our own bottle [in 4.5 years]. Later on in the night my wife got a glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and it's just amazing the difference you can discern between a quality bottle of wine and a subpar bottle. The d'Abruzzo was weak in comparison, bordering on unpleasant. Whereas the Asinone was bold and tasty, and made you savor it.

I look forward to your Vino Nobile notes because I've got several bottles.

Ryan - notice that the Montepulciano D'Abruzzo (Adriatic Coast) wine is made with a different varietal (montepulciano) than the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Montepulciano town in Southern Tuscany, made of sangiovese grapes grown in the Montepulciano area called "prugnolo). Very easy to confuse these wines!

Yeah I know... I was just commenting on wines in general, not the same varietal.