Molettieri Irpinia Aglianico

[Innkeeper]

2000 Salvatore Molettieri, Irpinia (IGT), Aglianico, Cinque Querce ($15 Is-Wine). For those who may not be competeley familiar with Aglianico, it is an ancient grape believed to have Greek roots that dates from Roman times in South Central Italy.

It is a lusty, earthy, full bodied red (14.5% alcohol) that one can quaff while watching the chariot races. It has none of the problems a wine like this can have. It is not hot, the tannins are smooth, and the fruit holds its own. It matched slendidly with broiled Italian sausages with penne in freshly made pesto; and plum tomato halves topped with vinaigrette, buffalo mozzarella, and chopped basil. Simply wonderful.