The Daily Sip, spotlight on Italy

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

The Daily Sip - The Azzurri Guide To Wine

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I had some good not expensive wine from Sicily tonight. There are plenty from Sicily that are cheap and good.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I have never gotten used to the grape varietals and their flavor profiles. I know and like the American and French grapes; Cab, Chard, Pinot Noir, etc but the grapes in Italy, Spain and a few other areas I have not had enough of them to get used to their wine style and characteristics.

So, what should I be looking for that is cheap and good?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Don there are so many that you never heard of from small vinyards that you may not find. Years ago no one heard a wine that started like Nero De..... There is a large vinyard in my mothers home town of Menfi called Plantar that one you can find in a store but this will run you in the $20 range. Some times you need to take a chance on some of these Cheapo wines.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

It's hard to find really good italian reds under $20 or $30.

Try something from Piemonte, we've had a few really nice ones from there, reasonably priced. I would recommend a Barbera.

We also loved this Sicilian - 2007 Nero D'Avola - the one we tried was from Sedara, but there are others around probably worth trying. Looks like retail is around $13.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Love a good barbera. I will have to try some of the Nero XXXX sometime.

I am going to keep drinking until my liver is gone. I will enjoy life.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

It's hard to find really good italian reds under $20 or $30.

Try something from Piemonte, we've had a few really nice ones from there, reasonably priced. I would recommend a Barbera.

We also loved this Sicilian - 2007 Nero D'Avola - the one we tried was from Sedara, but there are others around probably worth trying. Looks like retail is around $13.

next time you are in my area, Pass by my house I will give you a bottle or two of some cheap wines that you will not find.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

next time you are in my area, Pass by my house I will give you a bottle or two of some cheap wines that you will not find.

And I will have to go to Italy if I want more, right?
Seriously, though, Frank - that is a very kind and generous offer and I may just take you up on it!

We just settled on France for my birthday trip next year - Italy will have to wait a while longer...

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

The reason you can not find them is my close friend who also helped and donated over $2.000 worth of wine at the wine event, Yes he is a wine distributer. He goes to italy 4 times a year and brings back boat loads in cargo boats that take 2 months to arrive. He sells to mostly restaurants and some wine outlets. His wines sell for $30 + a bottle at the restaurants but I pay $60 for a case.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

The reason you can not find them is my close friend who also helped and donated over $2.000 worth of wine at the wine event, Yes he is a wine distributer. He goes to italy 4 times a year and brings back boat loads in cargo boats that take 2 months to arrive. He sells to mostly restaurants and some wine outlets. His wines sell for $30 + a bottle at the restaurants but I pay $60 for a case.

Nice! A good friend to have...