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December 2, 2008 8:52:11 PM CST

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Say Ciao to Chianti, Sip This Red Instead

Posted Sep 17, 08 2:55 PM CDT in Opinion,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – It's time to discover the pleasures of aglianico wines, writes Eric Asimov in the New York Times. While many drinkers familiarly sip Chianti and Barolo, aglianico consumption has been largely confined to the diffuse Southern Italian regions where the grape is grown. And while some of the leading aglianicos are unavailable in the United States, there are still winners to be found.

"In an effort to remedy this sad state of affairs," Asimov and his wine panel sampled 25 aglianico wines; only one of the 8 winners cost less than $20, but it was Asimov's favorite. With a price tag of just $10, the 2003 Cantina di Venosa aglianico del Vulture Vignali sung as a wine "dense and pure with classic aglianico flavors of sour cherry, minerals, and leather."

Source New York Times

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Look to Italy for a great red that's not Chianti, writes Eric Asimov.   (Cantina di Venosa)
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I’m forced to interrupt for a quick review. It’s come to my attention that a crucial word in the lexicon of Italian wines has fallen by the wayside. That word is aglianico, the name of the leading red grape of southern Italy. - Eric Asimov

I’m usually very happy to find aglianicos on wine lists. The subtlety of the fruit and the fact that they can be dry and intense without being heavy makes them good companions to a variety of meat, poultry, and pasta. - Eric Asmiov

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