Looking for Affordable Pinot Noir?

A Dry Spanish Sparkler for Champagne LoversThe Benefits of Short-Term Aging: the Case of Cabe... ►  February(7)Goldilocks on Pinot GrigioFood and Wine: the Search for VersatilityCan Woman Live By Wine Alone?New Grape of the Month: JacquèreSparkling Wine for Your ValentineWarm Cabernets for Cold Winter NightsBlog, Interrupted ►  2009(159) ►  December(2)Another Simple Solution--and It Involves Pinot Noi...In Pursuit of Simplicity: Sauvignon Blanc ►  November(4)World Turned Upside Down? Time to Catch UpThanksgiving Wine Under $20: My Picks for 2009Vinho Verde--Just BecauseToday on Serious Grape: Wine Survival Strategy for... ►  October(8)Gemischter Satz--It's Austrian for DeliciousThe Red Wines of Calabria: Fruity, Funky, and Fabu...Today on Serious Grape: Autumn Whites from Austria...Exploring Calabria in OctoberNew Grape of the Month: FalanghinaMighty Good Malbecs3 Years and 5182 Subscribers Later...This Week on Serious Grape: Decanting Demystified ►  September(15)Good Pinot Noir--Under $28Finding Your Chardonnay StyleA Bargain in Bubbles: Zonin ProseccoThere's a New Wine Store In Town: domaineLAA Ligurian Red That Dresses Up--or DownThis Week on Serious Grape: The Farmers' Market Wi...Wine Blogging Wednesday #61: Quivira VineyardsPigato: The Briny Grape from LiguriaPalate Press: the New Online Wine MagazineA Zaftig Sparkling WineTropical Fruit from California's Central Coast: Fi...My Italian Wine Journey Continues: LiguriaHappy Labor DayThis Week on Serious Eats: Doggone Good Wine Pairi...Alsace Sparkles ►  August(14)A True Blue Syrah from the Central CoastFinal Edition of the Wine Book Club: A Vineyard in...New Grape of the Month: BourboulencA Sweet Tip on Dessert WineThis Week on Serious Grape: "Grape School" ►  July(14) ►  June(11) ►  May(11) ►  April(19) ►  March(18) ►  February(22) ►  January(21) ►  2008(257) ►  December(17) ►  November(17) ►  October(21) ►  September(21) ►  August(19) ►  July(22) ►  June(25) ►  May(20) ►  April(20) ►  March(25) ►  February(22) ►  January(28) ►  2007(277) ►  December(23) ►  November(23) ►  October(23) ►  September(21) ►  August(22) ►  July(26) ►  June(23) ►  May(26) ►  April(22) ►  March(24) ►  February(17) ►  January(27) ►  2006(63) ►  December(27) ►  November(20) ►  October(16)

View the Original article

The Red Wines of Calabria: Fruity, Funky, and Fabulously Affordable

This month I've been getting to know the red wines of Calabria--and they've surprised me. When I mentioned Calabrian wine to most people--even Calabrians!--they scoffed at the quality of wine produced in this region of Italy. But I liked the rusty funkiness, the fruitiness, and the great value that I found in the wines I tasted. And though these wines came from southern Italy, they reminded me of French wines from Burgundy and the Beaujolais.

Take the 2004 Vintripodi Arghillà ($19.99, Wine Expo) This wine, a blend of Nerello Calabrese and Alicante, has the certain funky pungency that is characteristic in my (limited) experience of Nerello, and reminds me of a good Beaujolais. The wine showed some tawny edges around the dark purple juice at the center of my glass. The aromas were of sour cherry, earth, and funk and the flavors followed suit. This was certainly not a boring, same-old red and I think it would go just as brilliantly with stews as it did with our pasta dinner.

The other Calabrian wine I tried was the 2006 Ippolito Cirò Liber Pater ($17.99, Wine Expo; available

View the Original article