Chianti is the most popular Italian wine. It is mostly made from the Sangiovese grape, but is normally a blend. How does it compare to a Sangiovese wine? Tonight we will find out. In a prior show we did a Chianti tasting. I love Chianti and I believe I liked all three wines we tasted that night. It is normally made from a blend of grapes, but is mostly made from the Sangiovese grape. It comes from the Tuscany region of Italy.

Sangiovese produces a wine that is medium in body, has medium to high acid and medium to high tannins.

You can pick out a Chianti Classico by looking for a black roster on the label. This means the wine comes from the classic region known for the production of Chianti.

Sangiovese wine from California is more fruit-forward and is known for having more floral aromas.

If drinking a wine by itself, you may prefer the Sangiovese, but I believe Chianti is more of a food wine.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico, purchased from Costco for $19.99. This wine was rated a 93 by the Wine Spectator and a 92 by the Wine Enthusiast. Made from Sangiovese and Canaiolo (Merlot like grape with soft tannins and bright acid) and other red grape varietals. Aged in Slavonian and French oak barrels for at least a year. 13.5% alcohol. Serve at 64-68 degrees in a decanter. Tastes of tar, stone, and umami of mushrooms, seaweed and soy sauce before sour cherries and cranberries emerge. Palate has black cherries, blackberries, milk and dark chocolate, bitter orange. Long finish. Pair with game and roasts.
2. 2016 Idle Sangiovese purchased from Wine Styles for $37.00. Aromas of licorice, smoke, violets, herbs, and cherry. Pair with spaghetti, roasted vegetables. Comes from Knights Valley AVA in Sonoma. Picked in the early morning fog, transported to the winery in the back of a flatbed. Hand sorted at the winery, destemmed, cold soaked for 4 days. Fermented for 2 weeks with punch downs done 3 times/day. Aged 16 months in 30% new (medium-long) toasted French oak barrels, 70% aged in French oak. Blended with 3% Merlot.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2021 Domaine Filliatreau. This is a Saumur, Loire Valley purchased from Sarasota Wines for $22.95.
2. 2022 Quinson Cotes de Provence. Purchased from Trader Joes for $8.99.
3. 2021 Octopada Pinot Noir purchased from Costco for $7.99.

After reading about and tasting New York wine, I have a strong desire to visit the Finger Lakes AVA. Until the 1970s and 1980s, New York was known for producing wine made from the Catawba and Niagara grapes. Many people still have that perception. However, back in the 1950’s, Dr Konstantin Frank started the cultivation of Vitis vinifera (the old world grape varieties people are familier with). Today it is now well known for its Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir production. In addition to the Finger Lakes AVA, it is also home to the Niagara Escarpment, Hudson River and Long Island AVAs. New York is now the 2nd or 3rd largest wine-producing state in the country.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2022 Dr Konstantin Frank. Purchased from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $18.99. Aromas of vibrant perfume of honeyed apple, citrus blossom and peach. Dry but with richness and lots of fruit and floral flavor. The grapes are de-stemmed, direct pressed, and stored in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. There is no oak and no Malolactic fermentation. It has 7 g/Liter of residual sugar which is considered an off-dry wine. It has a pH of 3.0. Pairs with lightly prepared chicken, pork, and fish; as well as a creamy goat cheese.
2. 2019 Heron Hill Eclipse red-blend. Purchased from Wine Styles. I saw online from $16.00 to $21.00. This is a Bordeaux blend wine made up of 44% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of black and red currant fruit, tobacco leaf, herbs and cola-like oak. Grapes come from a variety of sources from growers in Long Island and Finger Lakes. Aged for 15 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels. Pairs with lamb, prime rib, grilled salmon, sharp cheddar or rich blue cheese.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico. Purchased from Costco for $19.99.
2. 2016 Idle Sangiovese. Purchased from Wine Styles for $37.00.

Is price important for Rioja? Tonight we will blind-taste three Rioja wines and find out.

Rioja is the leading wine region in Spain. Broken into three parts.

- Rioja Alto

- Rioja Alavesa

- Rioja Oriental

Known for its red wine production and aging in oak barrels. (predominately American oak) Tempranillo is the most planted grape and makes up nearly 90% of the vineyards. Garnacha is the second most planted red grape, with smaller amounts of Mazuelo, Carinena (Carignan), and Graciano. Most Rioja wines are blends, with Garnacha added to the Tempranillo for added body.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2017 Marques de Caceres, Rioja. This wine was purchased from Costco for $17.99. The grapes were hand-picked and aged in new French oak barrels for 15 months. Bouquet of blackberry and chocolate-covered orange peel. The wine has an inky garnet color and feels juicy on the palate. Flavors of black cherry and raspberry are joined by clove, bittersweet chocolate, and black olives. Lingering tannins complete the profile.

2. 2022 Vina Torcida Tempranillo, Rioja. Purchased at Wine Styles for $20.00. Ripe fruit and spices on the nose. Black pepper, clove, and vanilla. 87% Tempranillo, 8% Mazuelo, and 5% Garnacha. Grapes come from vineyards located in all three zonas of Rioja. It is aged 27 months in American oak barrels. Pairs with spicy meats, stews, and roasts.

3. 2018 Trader Joe’s, Rioja. Purchased at Trader Joe’s for $9.99. Reverse Wine Snob gave this wine a highly recommended, and described it as having flavors of ripe strawberries, leather, and tobacco.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Dr Konstantin Frank Riesling. Purchased from Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits for $18.99.

3. 2019 Heron Hill Eclipse red blend. Purchased from Wine Styles. I saw online from $16.00 to $21.00.