Varietal: Chianti
Region: Italy
Cost: $9

Ruby red in color with aromas of spice, cherry, and hazelnut.  Flavors of fruit and berry in a medium-bodied wine.  Pairs well with pasta, pizza, and most traditional Italian dishes.

Recommendations: I picked up this bottle last night after a long day of work.  I’d had other Ruffino wines before and enjoyed them and was just in the mood for Chianti and thought this would be a safe bet.  I should have grabbed another one.  While the color and the aromas of the wine were nice – ruby red and cherry – I felt the wine was lighter than I was expecting in the mouth.  The flavors were all there, berry, some cherry, and a noticeable tannic finish, but while Ruffino claims it’s medium-bodied, I felt it leaned more towards the lighter side.

While this bottle hasn’t turned me off of Ruffino wines, I definitely won’t be getting this one again, especially as there are other Chiantis out there for about the same price that have delivered for me in the past.  Kinda disappointing.

Here’s the email that was sent to me:

The Chianti area has been one of the most important wine producing regions in Italy for over two centuries. It was the family of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Lopold I that began cultivating grapes during the 18^th and 19^th centuries in the region that would become modern Chianti.

The Chiantigiana (SR 222) is one of the most scenic and charming motoring routes in Italy, running directly south from Florence to Sienna cutting through the heart of the Chianti Classico wine zone. The road sweeps around rolling Tuscan hills and past thousands of hectares of vineyards, all producing outstanding Chianti Classico DOCG (the highest classification of Chianti).

The best time of year to visit Tuscany (Toscana) is at harvest time in September, or just before harvest to see the vines bowing heavily with ripening Sangiovese grapes. During September most towns in Chianti celebrate the Sangiovese harvest with wine festivals such as the Vino al Vino held on the third week in September (17-19) in the small town of Panzano in Chianti, where many local wines can be sampled by the glass.

For a truly inspiring tour along Chiantigiana road, make time to visit some of the ancient towns of Chianti and surrounding vineyards. Most vineyards are open to the public, but it’s worth checking before you visit.

Greve in Chianti

Greve is a principle market town 31km south of Florence (Firenze).  During the second week of September, the Rassegna del Chianti Classico festival takes place in Greve.

Feste dell’uva
This is a wonderful festival held in the pretty village of Vagliagli. There will be a parade and dancing, lots to eat and drink

The Chianti Classico wine festival is also recommended and takes place between the 10 – 12 September.

Radda

Radda in Chianti is principle market town in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 35 km southeast of Florence and about 15 km north of Siena.

Gaiole

Gaiole in Chianti is principle market town in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 40 km southeast of Florence and about 15 km northeast of Siena. Forbes magazine named it number one in its list of “Europe’s Most Idyllic Places To Live.”

Whilst here, visit the Brolio winery. You can book wine tastings for small or large groups at the Brolio wine shop and learn about the Chianti Classico area through its most representative wines.

Panzano

A small town with Etruscan origins, Panzano is situated on the Chiantigiana road between Castellina and Greve. The piazza is charming and a perfect place to sip a Prosseco.

The Vino al Vino wine festival takes place between the 17 – 19 September and there are a couple of winereies well worth a visit including Le Fonti and Fattoria Montagliari. The later has a fantastic restaurant with genuine Tuscan cooking and breath-taking views over the Greve valley.

Castellina

Castellina  plays host to The Grape and Wine Festival during the third week of September.  A visit to the Villa Trasqua winery can be arranged wth a guided cellar tour and tasting session for 20 euros

Tuscan Villas in Chianti wine region

To make the most of the region’s excellent wine and local ingredients, it is recommend that you hire a villa. You have the freedom to cook up tasty Italian treats and relax on a veranda sipping local wine admitting the Tuscan countryside.

Villa Bernardi in Panzano in Chianti is a beautiful and spacious Tuscan farmhouse property situated on a hillside outside of the village of Panzano. The property dates back to the 11th Century and has been restored carefully to retain its original features and character. Laid out over 4 levels, this property is ideal for family groups with plenty of space to gather. The saltwater swimming pool is reached by a stone path across the lawn and enjoys views across the Chianti countryside. Sleeps up to 10 people and costs from £6552 per week

Or if there is just two of you, then the Panorama at Cornino in Castellina in Chianti is ideal. A spacious villa in the Hamlet of Cornino overlooking the Chianti hills, Panorama provides a peaceful retreat close to the town of Castellina. This beautifully restored property is surrounded by olive groves and unforgettable views. The property sleeps 3 people and costs from £546 per week.

To Tuscany has a wide choice of villas in Italy to choose from throughout the Tuscan wine regions. Visit www.to-tuscany.com to see a selection of properties and check availability.

Varietal: Sangiovese
Region: Italy – Chianti
Cost: $6

Earthy notes with subtle flavors of crushed red fruit and a nice tartness with a good tannic finish.  Pairs well with pasta, pizza, chicken, and beef.

Recommendations: I have a great wife.  I really do.  This past weekend, while we were up visiting our families, I was spending some time with mine, and she with hers.  While out with her family, they stopped into the local Wegmans and she picked me up a bottle of wine – the 2008 Le Altane Chianti.  I told you I had a great wife.

After a dinner out on Monday (for our 2nd wedding anniversary), we came home and opened up the bottle she had bought as we relaxed and let our dinner settle.  A deep red in the glass that was nothing so much as brown (not in a bad way), the wine was subtle.  A subtle earthiness with subtle flavors of red fruit, with a subtle tartness and subtle tannins on the finish.  Subtle.

Usually I like my Chianti to have a bit of kick on the finish, but as I wasn’t pairing this wine with a meal, it was nice that this one had a more subtle profile.  There was still enough going on that it would pair well with a pizza, beef, or chicken, but I would be worried about it being overwhelmed by a more robust pasta sauce.

All that being said, for less than $10, it’s hard to argue against this wine.  It’s nothing flashy, but it’s a good table wine, and as anybody that’s been here before knows, I’m a big believer in the table wine.  One worth picking up for a casual night at home, but probably not what you’ll want to pull out for the fancy dinner party.

Varietal: Chianti
Region: Italy
Cost: $8

Medium dark color with notes of cherry on the nose with berry on the palate.  Soft tannins pair well with pastas and meats.

Recommendations: Given as how Chianti is my first love of red wine, I was excited to open up this bottle, and finally got the opportunity this past weekend.  Paired with a meal of Giada’s Lasagna Rolls (which my wife adds sausage to and I recommend anybody making this meal do as well), the cherry, berry, and slight earthiness of the wine came out great.

Unlike several Chiantis I’ve had in the past, this one was really easy on the tannins which made it really enjoyable even after the meal was finished.  While this certainly isn’t a life-altering Chianti, at $8 it’s easily one of the best values I’ve come across in quite a while, and definitely worth giving a try if you’re looking for a good red table wine to keep around the house.

Special thanks to Wine & Beer Westpark for supplying the wine for this review.

Varietal: Chianti/Sangiovese
Region: Italy
Cost: $29

Ruby red in color with aromas of red berries.  Smooth on the palate with a medium body, and great tannins on the end.  Flavors of cherry and a bit of spice.

Recommendations: My wife, parents, and some extended family went to lunch in San Francisco at Tony’s Pizzeria Napoletana, and it soon fell to me to select wine for our meal.  Wanting something a bit more dry to pair with the brick oven pizza, I quickly moved to the Sangiovese section of the wine menu.

I was a bit hesitant about selecting a wine from a TV show, but given that it’s an estate wine from Tuscany, I was hopeful that it would deliver.  It did.

At $29 in the restaurant (about $15 in stores), it’s a great value for a chianti, especially one that will pair so well with pasta or pizza.  Nice ruby coloring with aromas of red berries and flavors of cherry and spice with a great tannic finish make this a great wine to keep on hand.

If you’ve seen this and have been hesitant about picking it up because of the Iron Chef affiliation, go ahead and grab it.  It’s worth it.

Varietal: Chianti
Region: Italy
Cost: $10

Ruby coloring with a smooth taste of fruit and just a hint of tannins at the end.  Pair with pasta, pizza, roasted meat.

Recommendations: The wife and I picked this up while having dinner at Verde the other night as they were out of the Sauvignon Blanc we wanted, and this would pair well.  I should preface this by saying, for anybody that hasn’t read this blog before, that I am a fan of Chianti.  It’s probably the first wine that I really fell in love with and was certainly my introduction into red wines.

Now, all that being said, the Toscolo Chianti was not, by my standard, a Chianti.  That’s not to say that it wasn’t made with the Sangiovese grape, but if the bottle hadn’t said Chianti on it, I would have thought it was something else.  I honestly thought it had been labeled wrong and was actually a Tempranillo.

I’m not saying it wasn’t good with our meal of paninis and chips, but it just wasn’t what I was expecting.  That being said, at $10, it’s not a complete waste – I wouldn’t pay more for it though.  If you’re curious I’d say try it, but otherwise you can find a better Chianti for about the same price.

Slightly dry red wine that will hit you on the back of the tongue.  Slight cherry flavors and good tannins on the finish make this a good red for pasta, pizza, or red meat.

Recommendations: I’m a sucker for chianti, and Gabbiano is one that I always find myself returning to.  On an evening by myself, I paired this chianti with a pasta dish.  The dryness of the wine was a nice compliment to the sauciness of the meal.

For the price, Gabbiano is great in that it’s a consistently good chianti.  While I’m certain you can find a better chianti, you’ll be hard pressed to find one for this price that will consistently impress.  For a dinner of pasta or pizza this is worth keeping on hand.

Whites

Presto Prosecco - Brighten up your summer brunch with the fruity effervescence of this popular Italian Sparkler. Crisp, clean and refreshing with flavors of tropical fruit, it’s content on its own, in mimosas or as a cheerful contrast to hollandaise-topped egg dishes, stone- and tree-fruit salads, light fish or the rich and buttery Fromager D’Affinois.

Rudolf Müller “Bunny” Riesling - Floral, fruity and flirtatious with crisp peach, pear and light acidity, this drier-style Riesling is a splendid apéritif and the perfect match with lighter seafood and salads, Asian spiced cuisine or firmer cheeses such as Hirtenkase Aged.

Biokult Grüner Veltliner - Austria’s “Gru-Vee” White is a groovy delight with a light zesty flavor and hints of cracked pepper and prairie grass. Clean acidity and a soft seductive finish make this an enchanting apéritif or versatile sidekick for spicy dishes, grilled seafood, burgers, pizza or Whole Foods Market® organic fresh goat cheese.  Made with Organically Grown Grapes.

Vinum Chenin Blanc / Viognier - A marvelous medley of pear, melon and grapefruit, just one glass is like a bouquet of blooming summer citrus. A supple texture and snappy finish make this absolutely yummy with brunch, shellfish, sun-dried tomatoes, or thin-crust pizzettas made with fresh Cana de Cabra or Whole Foods Market® organic fresh goat cheese.

V-solo Verdejo - With its zesty acidity and fruity disposition this vivacious Spanish sipper is a welcome guest to any occasion. Floral aromas and hints of gooseberry, lime and citrus will dazzle the palate. Plays well alone or with others—especially seafood, shellfish or nutty, slightly sharp Robusto cheese.

Manifesto! Sauvignon Blanc - The ideal sip for a sunny picnic, this frisky White coats your palate with ripe lemon, gooseberry, grapefruit and orange peel. A smooth texture and food-friendly acidity makes it a harmonious companion for grilled foods, seafood or oysters.

Bonterra Rosé - This melodious blend of Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Grenache is full of ripe summer berries. Unexpected richness, a touch of spice and juicy acidity makes this a wonderful accompaniment for al fresco anything! A singular chilled sensation or perfect match for grilled foods, salmon or Spanish Cana de Cabra goat cheese.  Made with Organically Grown Grapes.

Reds

Escudo Rojo - Enhance warm weather fare with some Chilean flare! This compelling mélange of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, exudes rich spice, toast and black cherry aromas and is smooth on the palate. Captivating with grilled meats, barbecue or hamburgers.

Pirovano il Rosso di Enzo - For a long, hot and lusty summer, add a juicy Italian to your menu. This evocative Red is highly attracted to grilled food, pizza, burgers and medium-aged cheeses such as Taleggio and Kilaree Irish Cheddar.

Rutherford Hill Merlot - Dark cherries, luscious chocolate and a silky finish make this “king of Merlots” ideal for summer romance. Balanced with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco, this seductive Red is alluring one-on-one or with hearty meats such as grilled steak, burgers or mature Seaside Cheddar.

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet - An outstanding value, this commemorative release is the life of any patio party, backyard bash or beachfront fête! Succulent ripe blueberry, dark cherry and black currant coupled with chocolate and olive flavors presents a beguiling complexity and sleek finish. Superb with beef, lamb and chicken or rich GranQueso cheese.

Castello di Gabbiano Chianti - This classic Red giant unfolds into a lush bouquet of ripe red fruits. Made in the Tuscan tradition, it is a dry, well-balanced and full-bodied Sangiovese that adores hot and hearty summer cuisine including grilled beef, barbecue or pizza.

In addition to this selection of wines, Whole Foods market has selected several cheeses that are perfect for pairing with these wines while sitting on a porch, deck, patio, or dinner table.

Aged Hirtenkase -  This versatile and full-flavored hard cheese is made from the milk of cows that graze on rich Alpine grasses. Aged for one year, it fuses the best of Swiss and Parmesan style cheeses. Grate a hunk into risotto or over salads and soup and surrender your taste buds.

Fromager D’Affinois - Hello creamy goodness! From the French Rhône-Alpes, this soft-ripened cousin to Brie is luscious, buttery and just waiting to be taken advantage of. Savor solo or with ripe berries and other summer fruits.

GranQueso - From farm-fresh cow’s milk, this Wisconsin original is lovingly cured for six to nine months and hand-rubbed with delectable spices. Deep and complex with a balanced sweet finish, it’s the star of any cheeseboard, and coveted companion to salads, soups, pastas and sandwiches.

Robusto - A Dutch cheese with an Italian spirit, Robusto is softer, yet reminiscent of, aged, nutty Parmesan. Friendly and versatile, cube it into salads, melt it on pasta or roasted vegetables, or just savor a slice on its own.

Seaside Cheddar - This rugged mature cheddar’s unusual sweet taste and crunchy texture comes from cows that graze on southern England’s coastal grasses. Crystallized calcium gives it a crunch. Tantalizing by itself or on burgers, grilled chicken pasta or a rambunctious grilled cheese and grilled beef sandwich.

Visit your local Whole Foods Market to check out their summer wine and cheese selection.  It’s a great way to enjoy wine the entire summer.

Varietal:  Chianti
Region:  Tuscany – Italy
Cost:  $9.99 – $12.99

Slightly fruity nose that has leads into spicy notes the more you inhale.  This ruby red medium-bodied wine has a slightly fruity taste with just the right amount of tannins on the back end to fit perfectly with a traditional Italian dinner, but not so much as to make it hard to drink by itself.

Recommendation:  If you’re not a big Chianti drinker and want to get into it, this is a good one to start with.  Nice and smooth with a slightly more subtle finish than some other Chiantis, this will go great with pasta, steak, lamb, and pretty much anything that’s juicy or saucy.  However, thanks to the smoother finish, this is also a great wine to enjoy by itself, something I find very appealing about the Ruffino.  While it’s not my favorite Chianti (Gabbiano and Bell’agio hold my heart), it’s really hard to pass on for the price if you’re looking for something to mix in with your red sauce and then enjoy with a pasta dinner.   Don’t pay more than $9.99 for this, but worth it at that price.

A medium-bodied wine of ruby/garnet coloring offering flavors of herb and berry, most notably raspberry.  A slightly dry, tannic finish is reminscent of Chianti, but the overall smoothness of the wine allows it to be paired with a wide variety of foods.

Recommendation:  My wife and I enjoyed this wine with a pair of steaks, and it was a great compliment to them.  The wine didn’t overwhelm the meat, but the slightly dry finish was a great balance to the juiciness of the steaks.   Even after the meal had been finished, I still enjoyed finishing the bottle by itself, a quality I find desirable in any wine I drink – being able to be enjoyed without food.  What I liked best about this wine was that while the dryness on the finish worked great with juicy steaks, it wasn’t so dry as to require something like that, and would compliment a dryer meal as well.  While I won’t go so far as to say that this is a substitute for Chianti if that’s where your tastes lie, this is a great blend to serve for guests when you’re not sure where their tastes lie.  Definitely worth picking up, particularly at this price point.