Wine Tasting: Italy

Lots of variation, as befits a country with the wine diversity of Italy. Thanks, everyone, for coming to see the new kitchen and drink with me! Here's what we had, favorites in bold (and I've turned on comments, so feel free to disagree with my tasting notes!):

[We also had a white contributed by Clem, which I numbered "0" -- 2004 Castel Noarna Nosiola (Elsewhere $18.99) $4.99 -- a surprisingly hefty white, with lots of body and funk on the nose, almost able to pass as a French chardonnay based wine, and a steal at the closeout price, which is now no more.]

1. 2007 Pra Soave Classico Superiore $13.99: lovely, clean, refreshing, Italian white, but I'd be more excited if it were a few dollars cheaper


2. 2007 Cantina Frentana Costa del Mulino "Cococciola" $15.99: got mixed reviews from the crowd, a bit more acid than the first, probably better with food


3. 2007 Pelissero Dolcetto d'Alba "Munfrina" $16.99: much more structure and tannins than typical for a Dolcetto, probably could have used decanting -- very unusual for a varietal that usually makes easy drinking red


4. 2006 Agostino Pavia Barbera d'Asti Bricco Blina $14.99: lovely, but eclipsed by the next wine


5. 2007 Fontanafredda Barbera Piemonte "Briccotondo" $10.99: consensus bargain favorite, bright red fruit, good balance, just a hint sophistication, fantastic bargain price


6. 2004 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico "San Marcellino" $34.99: overall favorite of the night, fantastic chianti, balanced, sophisticated dark fruit, much better than most California reds at this price, would be great with food, a good deal even at this price


7. 2003 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino $39.99: also very good, but not as good as the chianti (both built around the sangiovese grape)


8. 2006 Tenuta Coppadoro Pescorosso IGT $11.99: mostly Primitivo (ancestor of Zinfandel), a bit rustic compared to the wines before it, lots of smoke ("grilled meat, but more grill than meat" said Nicole), some menthol, not bad, but no match for the $11 barbera above


9. 2001 Paitin di Pasquero Elia Barbaresco "Serra Boella" $25.99: the favorite from my Italian tasting a couple years ago, still lovely, wish I had another half dozen


10. 2000 Massolino Barolo $33.99: very nice for a bargain Barolo (yes, they are usually $60+), dusty, good structure, really meant for food


11. 2000 Remo Farina Amarone $37.99: classic raisiny flavors, lots of body, but without cloying sweetness, very nice