I think for the vast majority of us, our first experience with Chianti was pretty bad. Remember those straw covered bottles that made nifty candle holders when empty? I always found these wines pretty thin and unpleasantly acidic. However, several years ago I discovered some examples of New World Sangiovese which I enjoyed. Sangiovese is the grape used in Chianti. If I liked the export, I figured it was time to go back to the source. The Wine Witch is happy to report that there is some lovely Chianti out there that will not break the bank.
See the DOCG up there? That is one of the secrets for finding some quality Chianti. The letters stand for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. The DOC means is that the wine was produced within a specified region using defined methods and that it meets certain quality standards. The added G means that the wine comes from a subterritory within the region and the quality standards are even higher. These wines have also been analyzed and tasted by the Italian government before bottling.
Now we come to the wine at hand. The 2008 Straccali Chianti DOCG is a great wine for the money. You would not call it sophisticated. It is just pure fruit forward enjoyment. This is the wine to have with your pizza. It is bright ruby in the class with lovely red fruit aromas. It is medium bodied with a velvety texture. I mostly get strawberries and ripe red cherries. I think it is just yummy.
Not that the Wine Spectator is the final authority, but they have declared the Straccali Chianti DOCG a “Best Buy” for the last three years. That counts for something.
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