2007 Bell'agio Chianti
Mobsters and Tarts
I bought this bottle of Chianti as a joke. We’d been invited to a old-school Italian dinner party—a la The Godfather movies—and were asked to dress the part. The guys wore over-sized shiny suits with penciled-on facial hair and the ladies wore big hair, lots of make-up, and tons of jewelry.
The classic Tuscan wine in a wicker basket seemed like the perfect kitschy touch. The big surprise? We actually enjoyed it.
| Red Wine Info
Bottle Bell’agio Chianti Grape Sangiovese Year 2007 Region Tuscany Price ~$12.00 Shop France 44 Food Pairing Pizza, pasta, tomato-sauces, liver and fava beans |
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The wine bottles encased in straw hearken back to the days when Chianti bottles were globes of hand-blown glass, and the baskets were meant to protect them. But I tend to associate them with inexpensive Italian restaurants adorned with checkered tablecloths and wicker bottles serving as candleholders.
This kitschy Chianti, however, surprised us with its drinkability. Medium-bodied, with a bit of acid and taste of cherries, it paired nicely with our classic Italian dinner of chicken Florentine, spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and bread.
As the wine flowed freely, I thought of Vito Corleone’s line from The Godfather: “I like to drink wine more than I used to.” So true. And, whew, Mobster and Tart night was no exception.
Diane Timba is a contributing writer at Thursday Happy Hour. Check out her lifestyle wine column here on Wednesdays. What’s your favorite classic wine? Let Diane know in the comments below. Or chat with her on Facebook.
