'03 Il Bastardo Sangiovese

[Innkeeper]

2003 Il Bastardo, Rosso di Toscana, Sangiovese ($6.99 Micucci's, Portland). Alcohol level 12.5%. A light, fruity, very acidic Chiantilike wine, and an excellent under $10 accompaniment for midweek pasta in tomato sauce, and sausages.

[wdonovan]

You say "Chiantilike". Isn't a Sangiovese just a Chianti that wasn't made by the rules so it couldn't legally be called Chianti? Or is Chianti a blend or otherwise different?

[tw]

Yes chianti is made from the sangiovese grape but is given the special name because its made in the chianti region. There is also a more exclusive area called Classico which is within that. I am not 100% sure on this so we'll wait to see if someone says otherwise.

Chris

[robr]

You are correct, sir.

[Innkeeper]

Chianti is a blend though it is primarily Sangiovese. This bastard was a hundrt parcent.

[Innkeeper]

Popped an '09 last night. Price has crept up to $9.99 locally. It is still a very nice day to day Sangiovese. Matched very well with our first effort at a cow free Lasagna.

[Innkeeper]

Had another '09 tonight with ham loaf, ham stock gravy, rice and peas. Just wonderful.