2000 Zonin Montepulciano d'Abruzzi, Tuscany

[wondersofwine]

This was available for $5.00 a glass at an Italian/Greek restaurant. Have also seen it listed at $4.50 a glass or $16-$20 a bottle on other restaurant lists, so retail should be what? about $10-$12 a bottle?
12.5% alcohol
burgundy or mahagony color
Nose and flavor seemed to be cherry accented. Impression of a light-bodied wine but finish lasted surprisingly long. I could see this as a before dinner drink or accompanying light Italian fare such as tortellini alla panne or pasta tossed with ham and peas. Might also go with milder cheese varieties. Spoke to restaurant co-owner and although he does fancy Italian wines, his special passion is for the better California cabernet sauvignon wines (he would probably hit it off with WW).

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 04-19-2003).]

[Botafogo]

Try $7.99 per MAGNUM (1.5 liter, as in TWO bottles), those restaurants are REALLY hosing you.

And, even though Zonin is the Italian equivalent of Gallo, I don't think even their juice with the DOC boys would let them label a wine from Abruzzo as being from Toscana. If it was, in fact, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano instead (a DOCG wine from Toscana) then those prices wouldn't seem so bad...

Roberto

PS: Tell the guy to call my buddy Jim Stock (the Haw River Wine Man) at 336-578-4272 and he can radically improve the quality of his wine list and still make just as much money.



[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 04-19-2003).]