quote:

Originally posted by flashman:

quote:

Originally posted by Docbarry:
I like a nice Valpolacela. Bola makes some great Italian wines

the Zenato valpolicella classico superiore (the regular one, not the Ripasso with the black label

OMG.. this is one awsome wine... a classic for me.... goes down easy with almost everything.....

in fact, most ZENATO wines are excellent....

Then you should definitely try to find some Campolieti, it's the same price too. They get it regularly at the SAQ. Go to www.saq.com (there's an English section) and use the search function to find the product. You can then access the inventory available in every store.

quote:

Originally posted by flashman:
Then you should definitely try to find some Campolieti

good recomendation flashman..... campolieti is one top notch wine.. and for the price, you simply can't go wrong....

i want to thank everyone for posting on this topic. ive learned new names and appreciate the info on wines. im trying to dive into this world of wine and want to start in Italian. i think the best thing to do is sample region to region.

Italy offers some great wines. I have traveled to Tuscany twice and I am really fond of the wines from Montalcino area namely Brunello made from the Sangiovese grosso grape. In good vinatges, these are the top wine coming from Italy. 2001, 1999 and 1997 are particularly great vintages. The only problem is that they (mainly to heavy American purchasing) have gotten quite expensive. Definitely worth seeking some out. Other wines from Tuscany that are top notch are the so called Super Tuscans-These are made with non traditional Italian grapes like cabernet and merlot and some are amongst the top wines in the world.

Outside of Tuscany is the Piedmont area which makes Barolo and Barbaresco. Barolo can be incredible wines capable of long trm aging. Their drawback is that often need 10+ years of aging and are also expensive. From the northeast of Italy near Venice are some outstanding wines too with my favorite being Amarone which are some very unique wines. They are dried in the sun before being squeezed giving them a very unique (some people describe raisiny) flavor profile.

There are mainy great areas I am leaving out.

Some wines worth seeking out that are reasonably priced are Aia Vecchia Lagone from the Bolghieri region of Tuscany and Falesco Vittiano (~$9) from the Lazio region outside of Rome.

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Originally posted by sptcigars:
could someone please recommend a good italian red that will go good with everything from food to a cigars.

I love both wine and cigars however it is my opinion that wine and cigars don't mix well. I think it is okay to drink cheap wine with cigars, however when you start drinking the good stuff cigars kill your palate. That being said when I do indulge in both simultaneously they tend to be sweet wines like port and sometimes sauternes. Even then I go with less expensive tawny ports.

I do break this rule on ocassion, like tonight, right now, I am having a Pax Syrah (super big wine) an hour after smoking my Cohiba Maduro.

i hear guys talking about port. ive only seen this port call founders reserve, sandman?? it seems to be the only port at my local store. anyone know anything about that. it runs about 18 beans.

Hey spt, I've tried the Founders Reserve. But I have a very inexperienced palate so my opinion might not be worth anything. It should be noted that this was the only port I've ever had. I thought it was dry but pretty good on the whole, not bad for the price. Just my two cents.

On a side note, I think I got it on sale for about $12

For roughly the same price as the Sandeman Fouder's Reserve (which is kinda SOB commercial stuff -- though drinkable), try to find some LBV (Lat Bottled Vintage). Taylor Fladgate is a grat LBV brand. Much more complex and flavourful...

quote:

Doc, if you like Valpolicellas, try either (or both) the Zenato valpolicella classico superiore (the regular one, not the Ripasso with the black label), or the Campolieti valpolicella classico superiore

Great advice Flashman i had a bottle last night.
It went so well with a nice rare dry aged steak.
And the price was very reasonable.

flashman or SHB, I have a store online that I have looked some other stuff up but I cant seem to find the zenato superiore or the compolieti. Any sites you know of? Maybe I should just ask my local store.

Here you go sptcigars.
This is the bottle i had and this link will show you were to get it enjoy.
Zenato Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripassa 2004

http://www.wine.com/V6/Zenato-Valpolicella-Classico-Sup...ne/90145/detail.aspx

thanks SHB, unfortunately they do not ship to PA. Oh well, have to try somewhere else. good link though.

Dam! I'm surprised : it's more expensive in the US then here. Only 23$ (CAD) in Quebec...

And the regular one (not Ripassa) is 16$.

Your welcome sptcigars sorry it didn't work out for you.
If i find another source i will let you know.

Hey Flashman i was surprised as well.
But you were right it is a great bottle of wine.
I don't think its overpriced IMHO it was well worth it once again thanks for the suggestion.