[narlus]

hunt around for some dolcettos...a bit rounder, less tannic than barberas, good value (not cheap but not pricey, expect to pay ~12-20 for a bottle; damn euro...).

i had this last night and it was really good w/ my pasta and sausage w/ red sauce:

 

[SkaredShtles]

Ah, yes. I've had many a Dolcetto. Don't generally like them as much as Barberas, but that might just be because I've not tried enough of them.

 

[berkshire_rider]

hunt around for some dolcettos...a bit rounder, less tannic than barberas, good value (not cheap but not pricey, expect to pay ~12-20 for a bottle; damn euro...).

i had this last night and it was really good w/ my pasta and sausage w/ red sauce:

Haven't had either. Will have to try both.

What about Chianti's. I had some Chianti Classico Riserva from Tuscany Saturday night at dinner. (Don't remember the brand ). It seemed pretty good. Any experience / opionions on Chianti?

 

[narlus]

chiantis i dig. the riservas are v. nice, not too spendy, and because of that you can grab a few and put 'em down for a bit. throw 4-6 in yr cellar and see how they evolve after 3-4 years.

the uber-chiantis (brunellos) are very nice too, but more a special occasion wine. grab a few rosso di montalcinos for a less expensive alternative.

i should have my wife grab some italian wine.

 

[binary visions]

I love Chianti

An inexpensive Ruffino chianti is generally a wine I keep in the house to open when I just feel like having some wine and don't want something expensive - $8-10/bottle.

I'll have to check out the Dolcettos...

 

[SkaredShtles]

Chiantis, Barberas, and Dolcettos are all similar in that they are *generally* medium bodied, food friendly wines. I :heart: Italian wines.

For a good value Chianti "alternative" try out some Sangioveses from nearby regions. Chiantis are mostly sangiovese - just from a specific region in Tuscany.

Oh - and for an alternative to zinfandel, try primitivo from the south of Italy. They're genetically the same grape.

 

[binary visions]

My wine knowledge is still not very broad so I appreciate these threads which give me new things to try.

 

[SkaredShtles]

My wine knowledge is still not very broad so I appreciate these threads which give me new things to try.

The general advice when talking about trying wine:

Try it all.

 

[berkshire_rider]

chiantis i dig. the riservas are v. nice, not too spendy, and because of that you can grab a few and put 'em down for a bit. throw 4-6 in yr cellar and see how they evolve after 3-4 years.

the uber-chiantis (brunellos) are very nice too, but more a special occasion wine. grab a few rosso di montalcinos for a less expensive alternative.

i should have my wife grab some italian wine.

It was at the Catina Italiana in the North End. I believe it was a 2002. WIne List Here

 

[binary visions]

The general advice when talking about trying wine:

Try it all.

"Had we but world enough, and time."

And money

 

[SkaredShtles]

"Had we but world enough, and time."

And money

I'm on a quest to try every red wine available in the $8-$15 range. Problem is, those fuggers keep coming out with a new vintage *EVERY* goddam year. :mumble:

 

[narlus]

the other problem is that the prices increase. my killer $18 red recommendation (Zenato's Ripassa) is now $30.

 

[TreeSaw]

My wine knowledge is still not very broad so I appreciate these threads which give me new things to try.

I definitely know whether or not I like them when I try them, but find it hard to decide what to try (more or less for fear that I will hate it). I prefer mostly reds and some whites that are dry and not sweet.

 

[SkaredShtles]

the other problem is that the prices increase. my killer $18 red recommendation (Zenato's Ripassa) is now $30.

They would've dropped off my list. Luckily, with so many good wines in the range, I don't mind if some price themselves out of the running.

 

[narlus]

Friday's wine column in the WSJ focused on Dolcettos. here are their picks of the best ones they sampled:

Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d'Alba
Elio Altare Dolcetto d'Alba
Bruno Porro 'Vigna Ribote' Dolcetto d' Dogliani
Pira Dolcetto d'Alba
Marcarini 'Boschi di Berri' Dolcetto d'Alba
Chionetti 'Briccolero' Dolcetto d' Dogliani 2003
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto d'Alba
Prunotto Dolcetto d'Alba 2003

all were 2004 unless otherwise noted. Prunotto is the only one i've seen and had before; it's good. retail prices varied between $12 (Bruno Porro) to $25 (Falletto di Bruno Giacosa).