Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2005

This is another Italian wine in my top list of favourites. It has a delicate black almandine ruby with black reflections. A rich fruity bouquet , supported by some spices. Very well balanced, soft and delicate taste. The aroma is deep and full. A lovely colour too.

Vino Nobile do Montepulciano is one of the best reds with Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita status, produced in vineyards surrounding the town of Montepulciano, Italy. The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape varity (known locally as Prugnolo gentile), blended with Canaiolo Nero and small amounts of other local varieties. The wine is aged in oak barrels for two years.

One of the best wines I have tasted in a while...

Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige 2009

We drunk this charming pinot grigio during our wonderful trip to Rome. It was a small bottle we shared with our lunch. It was actually offered and recommended in all restaurants we were sited. Obviously, it is a good value for money and a very popular one in Italy. Reading the winery Santa Margherita's website, I found out that this winery offered the first Italian Pinot Grigio and no suprise it is the most popular wine by the winery, winning many gold medals in international championships.

As the picture shows, the wine had a very pleasant gold colour. With the golden labels, it is a real eye candy and looks very stylish, and "Italian". The wine had a sweet taste of fruits. It is very light and pleasant to enjoy with seafood on a sunny, charming day in this splendid country full of history and love...

Elisabetta Geppetti Morellino di Scansani 2008

I got my first taste of Morellino di Scansani in Rome on our first evening in a wonderful, cosy restaurant somewhere near via Salaria (the Salt street). It was splendid. I fell in love with this "strange typical Italian variety", which actually turned out to be 85% Sangiovese grape, but the Italians call it Morellino (I guess because it does sound better! :). The grapes are grown around the hills of Scansano and have been produced in Italy for more than several hundred years.

The wine is a very good value for money. It costed only about 15 Euro, but the taste was wonderful. It leaves a very memorable and long lasting finishing. Light and young, the wine is a very good companion for a hot summer evening.

Terrae Nobilles Piave Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

This is the last wine we had during our trip to Rome. A brilliant ruby red with hints of garnet in colour. Generous aromas, remarkable for their velvety elegance, infuses with ripe fruit and a gentle note of spice and herbs. A remarkably length finish with some notes of wild berries. A truly wonderful wine.

The wine comes from the collection of Barrone Bianchi, who was a famous sommelier in Italy during the 19th century. Source: www.lesommelier.com

It was a wonderful Italian evening in the middle of old historical buildings and a truly romantic atmosphere with the most pleasant company.

Bonterra Zinfandel 2004

We had this wonderful Californian Zinfandel on my graduation day and it did make my evening very special. The taste was intense and unique. A wonderful combination of dried blueberries, plums and spices. Its grapes are 86% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Syrah and 3% Syrah. The combination is refined and very elegant.

The Zinfandel grape variety is typically grown in Italy. I have already blogged and liked very much an Italian Zinfandel, but honestly, I cannot tell which one is better. The American one has this strong aroma and certain style that is different and better in a way than the Italian. Furthermore, this Zinfandel is said to be organic, and I am much fond of organic foods.

If you have time you should check out the website of Bonterra Winery here. It contents a very colourful and unique way of presenting the wines. Good job!

Bi Cycle Pinot Noir & Merlot 2008

This is a great wine from the Minkov Brothers Winery in Bulgaria, coming from the popular Bulgarian Thracian region. It is new for me, although recently I tried Chateau Karnobat Merlot and I wasn't charmed. Nevertheless, I was recommended to try the Minkov Brother's higher class wines and I wasn't disappointed. Starting from the bottle, it is stylish and original. The picture on the label is very interesting - at first sight it looks as if a man is riding a normal bicycle. However, it is not a normal bicycle, but one made of a bed! Interesting...

The wine's taste is harmonious and rich. A very pleasant taste of dried fruits and caramel. Definately a good choice for the evening.