Italian wine recommendations
 

We will be in Florence and Rome. Anyone have any specific wine recommendations? Something reasonably priced ($10-$20 bottle). I like a nice wine with dinner. I generally order Merlots, Zinfandels or Chardonnays and have my favorites here, but don't generally buy Italian wine. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Are you looking for recommendations to bring back or have with dinner there? For drinking there, in most restaurants we went to the house red was great. We also brought a few bottles back based on recommendations from the shopkeepers. Don't remember the names, but I'd go with recommendations from the locals. Plus it may be hard to locate bottles people tell you about.

Do a search. (not being nasty just helpful) Look for recommendations from a guy named dean. There are lots of recommendations including a two page narative that is great.

I second the motion to go with the local wine. In the three weeks I've spent in Italy, I've never been disappointed with the wine served from the tap...fresh, fruity reds.<BR><BR>A few times we did order bottles. The Lacrima Christi in Pompei sticks out. Had a long, beautiful "smoky" finish. It was about $20 CDN but I can't remember the name. Sorry!<BR><BR>Tania

Hi you won't be unhappy with Barolo or Montepulciano with your dinner<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

This is an excellent link and this Dean person is very knowledgeable. I found this post very helpful. Also, seek out Italian wine specialists in your area before you go and ask them for some advice. I just purchased an excellent book called Vino Italiano, all about the regional wines of Italy. <BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

Also, Belinda, Italian wines are not classified by the grape variety like American wines. You'll find them classified by the actual vineyard, similiar to French wines. This is another reason to do a bit of research before you go. I have been so impressed by Italian wines as of late. Some of my favorites are Brunellos, Barbarescos (both reds), as well as the well known Pinot Grigios (wine). These are all very well known types of wine, but you also need to the know the vineyard as well.... I am just a beginner but I'm trying to learn more!

Belinda, You'll be able to find Italian versions of Merlot and Chardonnay from Tuscany/Umbria. Antinori's Castello della Sala does some nice Chardonnay, and some of the best (re: expensive) wines in Tuscany is Merlot-based (Masseto). Having said that, I typically avoid American varietals in Italy. For reasonably priced wines, try Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Chianti Classico, and anything from Campania and Umbria. A sagrantino di montefalco from umbria is killer. On the white side, there are some great whites coming out of Campania with native varietals like falaghina. Just ask your server for something local. Also, you can try the Gambero Rosso website for more suggestions.

San Gimignano (Vernaccia di San Gimignano) and Orvieto have great whites that are light and mineral in taste. Rosso di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montepulciano (pricier of the two) are nice somewhat complex reds. Although pricey, better to enjoy a couple over there as they are very expensive here in the states (around $45 and up for a good one). Chianti's are great simply fruity wines and as others have said, house reds are usually wonderful and inexpensive. Leaving in a couple weeks and plan on sampling several new ones myself. Cheers

How is "chianti" pronounced? Is it "key-AHN-tee" or "key-AN-tee?"

Orvieto classico is a nice white wine. <BR><BR>However if you want a great red and are willing to go for the gusto then get a Brunello Di Mantalcino. I like Castello Banfi and they are expensive, but it is almost the nectar of the gods!<BR><BR>US