I'm getting ready to throw a neighborhood Halloween party, and am thinking about serving minestrone and Tuscan bread. So, I wanted to serve some inexpensive Chianti or Sangiovese from anywhere. I am a bit ignorant about Italian wines. I normally drink Rhones, Spanish wines, and Californian.
As a point of reference, the quality that I'm looking for is that of the Guigal CDR. Any ideas? Thanks,
Andy
The Monte Antico and Antinori Santa Christina are 2 usually reliable Toscano Sangioveses that are a bit cheaper than the Guigal CdR. If you can go a few more dollars, the basic Felsina Chianti Classico is usually a fave around our house. Happy Halloween!
Andy,
I've been very pleased with the various offerings from Gabbiano. There are at least 3 levels, with more aging, etc. reflected in higher price points. Each "level" justifies the slight increase in cost/btl. Even the least expensive offers good QPP. All have been good value for me in AZ/US. Not knowing where you are located, I cannot go much beyond the generalization for any Gabbianos. Also, the logo is an Italian knight on horseback, which might loosley go with the "costumes" of Hallowween, at least in the US.
Hunt
Guigal Cotes du Rhone is pretty good, at least the most recent vintage. YOu're setting a pretty high mark. I can't think of any inexpensive Chianti that is that good. I *love* Flora Springs Sangiovese. It's about $16 a bottle. Parker has praised it before as well. It's not Chianti and I don't think it's Sangiovese, but you might want to consider Falesco Vitiano. About $9 or $10 a bottle.
Ciò che ha detto Steve Timko ( snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net) è così interessante, che devo dire la mia:
Good for the price, but it is merlot.
Luk
Actually, it's a blend...1/3 merlot, 1/3 sangiovese and 1/3 cab. They used to print it on the label, but over the last few vintages the labels have been "upgraded." Now there's no reference to the grapes.
WS once referred to Vitiano as "the best $20 wine for under $10." I've gone through cases of it since the '96 vintage. It's a great drinker, especially if you have different palates to please. We keep it in our "party wine" section of the cellar.
I'd also endorse the Monte Antico. Very good bargain for what you get. Saw it at Trader Joe's for $8.99 a few days ago (I think it was still the 2001), but TJ's has had it on sale for $5.49, so you might get a deal there.
A third Toscana that falls into the group would be the Villa Puccini. It's 90% sangiovese and 10% merlot. Used to be around $7.50, probably closer to $10 these days on a retail shelf. WineLegend.com has the 2000 for $6.99
In the same category as Guigal CdR , there are the fab Parallel 45 and Perrin Reserve CdR's, both for under ten bucks.
JJ
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