Italiano
Great wines at small prices
For our weekly column on drinking "without splurging," here are three semi-unknown wines from three different areas of the country: Colli Bresciani, Mandrolisai and Sannio.
Answering the question of whether it is possible to drink excellent wines while spending reasonable amounts of money is particularly in the sign of the times. Many emblazoned wines are now sold at figures unthinkable for ordinary wine enthusiasts and are bought only by an extremely affluent public. I was reading recently an offer from an online sales site that offered a bottle of Romanée Conti, a legendary wine from Burgundy, for 36,000 euros. I don't even comment, but this is proof that certain bottles have now entered the world of extreme luxury.
In Italy, however, there are thousands of very good wines that are still within the reach of many. Maybe they do not have the history and prestige of very famous labels, they are produced in not so well known areas, but I assure you that there is fun to be had and really good drinking. Here I try to point out three, in three different areas of our country. These are wines from small artisanal producers, and they are not so easy to find, but a few sales sites and some worthwhile wine shops, and there are many, may have them available. At worst you can always go and visit them, and it will still be a good experience.
But let's see who they are. The first is a Brescian red, Botticino Colle degli Ulivi 2019 from the Noventa winery in Botticino, in the hills of Brescia. It comes from a blend of Barbera 40%, Sangiovese 30%, Marzemino 20% and Schiava Gentile 10%. It ferments in concrete tanks and is certified organic. A delicious and elegant red that costs 14 euros in wine shops.
The second is made right in the center of Sardinia from Bovale, Cannonau and Monica grapes. It is Mandrolisai Fradiles 2019, an elegant red that comes from 100-year-old vineyards and costs about 14 euros.
The third is a white from Campania, more specifically from Sannio, it is Campania Falanghina Fois 2020 and is produced by Fulvio Cautiero and Imma Cropano in Frasso Telesino, in biodynamic "mode." Fragrant and irresistibly drinkable, it costs 11 euros in wine shops and is worth it all.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Noventa Botticino
Botticino Colle degli Ulivi 2019
91/100 - € 14,00
40% Barbera, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Marzemino, 10% Schiava Gentile. Cement vats for 20 months. Intense and clear garnet color. Fruity aromas of plums, raspberries, confit tomatoes hints, ethereal and enveloping. Savory and neat taste, tense but not aggressive, pleasant drinkability and very smooth tannins.
Fradiles
Mandrolisai 2020
92/100 - € 14,00
Bovale, Cannonau, Monica and other local grapes. Matures 8 months in barrels. Bright ruby red color. Very clear aromas of black pepper, hints of cinnamon, juniper and wild strawberries. Fresh and agile taste, very neat and elegant, soft tannins and delicate persistence in the finish.
Cautiero
Campania Falanghina Fois 2020
90/100 - € 11,00
100% Falanghina. Straw yellow color. Enveloping and clear aromas of exotic fruits, wildflowers, white peach and hints of aromatic herbs. Rich taste, good and dynamic body, nice acidity and balanced structure, pleasant and easy to drink.
