I’ve been lazy, forgive me. I didn’t think it got that bad until I was out recently and a handful of folks said, “hey, where are your weekly updates?.” Gosh, you actually read this drivvle? And like it?!?!

So, let’s get back to my wheel-house, Italian m’f’in’ wine!

Let me transport you…

Upon opening the bottle, like sizzling bacon and coffee awakening you from a fuzzy slumber, fragrances of red berries, spice, leather and earth emerge. Mmmm! The motherland, she’s calling me home. I pour a glass of the violet nectar and swirl. Taking a sip, I get a mouthful of just what I want: flavors of red berries, pepper, leather and a hint of herbs. This dry red wine coats your mouth, yet it’s low acidity doesn’t leave you overwhelmed. It has a great sense of {tip Terroir, a French term that loosely translates as “sense of place”, and is often batted around to describe wine that is indicative of it’s geographic origin. Think of it as the soul of a wine.}Terroir{/tip} for just $13, and I can actually say that, first hand, having spent quality time on the Italian country side (eating dirt and licking plants– whut?).

I simply love, love, love this wine. It’s 100% Montepulicano d’Abruzzo; an Italian wine I can sip without any food and savor the tastes. However, if you’re looking for a new Italian wine staple, or you’re just new to Italian wines, pick this one up. This wine would pair very well with a few different sauces (or “gravies”, if you will). Either try your hand at creating, or pick up some store bought Puttanesca or Arrabiata sauce, and toss with your favorite pasta. This wine would go very well with a pizza, perhaps sausage & peppers, or good ol’ spaghetti and meatballs. Just stop thinking about it and go purchase it.

An instagram friend said they call it the “stick wine”, due to the decorative branch that adorns each bottle. That works and makes this bottle easier to spot in the store. I bought mine at Sorella Wines for a under $12 during one of their sales.