Forget champagne...Drink Proseco-Italian sparkling wine (I believe from the Veneto area). Also love Chianti Classico, Barolo, and Brunello. Not a wine, but Lemoncello is wonderful. And don't forget the Grappa. Salute!

Geoff, You're probably oversaturated now with suggestions, but let me bear out what Vincenzo says about southern Italian wines. Actually my favourite is sold in Italy at about 8 euros a bottle, and it's called Rubrato. Rubrato is a smooth red made from the Aglianico grape variety and is bottled by Feudi San Gregorio. I go to Montalcino on a fairly regular basis and find the Brunello a little overpriced... but I force it down nonetheless. <BR><BR>Round about May I'll be switching over to white on a fairly regular basis. Again, my favourite grape variety is one mainly grown in the south, Fiano. I'm also fond of the Ischia wines, which I know someone else mentioned.<BR><BR>Mark

This one is easy for me....the incredible Brunello Di Mantalcino.<BR><BR>My favorite is Castello Banfi, but there are many!<BR><BR>It is, along with Chateauneuf du Pape, truly the nectar of the gods!

We visited the Altesino Winery in Montelcino where we sampled their Brunello di Montelcino and it was like drinking silk. Their Rosso was also excellent. The prices were about half what we pay in the states. We bought a bottle of each and now wish we'd gotten much more.

1. Bianco di Pitigliano (La Stellata)<BR>2. Rosso di Montalcino<BR>3. Brunello di Montalcino (Biondi)<BR>4. Cantina Cooperative del Morellino di Scansano<BR>5. Morellino di Scansano (Banti Morellino)<BR>6. Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Teruzzi & Puthod Carmen)<BR>7. Conte Della Vipera (great white)

Load up, and back up to the top!<BR>