Possibly one of the best wines that i have had in recent events has been the Chianti Classico Riserva. I don't pretend to know a lot about fine wines. I don't know whether it has come from the south of France or the north, whether the grapes are 3 years or 30 years, or whether the tannins were used properly. All I know is whether a wine tastes good or not, and this wine tasted good...
In North America people see wine as something that accompanies very fine dining. People don't understand that wine is not something that sophisticated people drink, it is something that everyone should drink. I want to curb the stereotype that wine is only for the people that can afford it. Wine should be enjoyed by everyone. It adds another detention to the food that you are eating. It does not matter if you know anything about wine, as long as you enjoy it. The bottle could be $8 dollars, but if it makes the food you eat that much better then it was worth it. To enjoy wine you do not need to hand over a lot of money, but simply know what food to pair what wine with. A $100 bottle of wine, paired with the wrong food, will taste as if it was poured out of a box.
The real power in wine is the conversation it invokes from people. It draws out the humanity in people. They share things that they would otherwise keep personal. Accredit this to the alcohol or to the majesty of a good bottle of wine, it does something to a conversation between people.
I don't know what it was about this wine, but everything just clicked. I had the lamb chops that night, but even before that, paired with the cream of bok choy soup, the wine held it's own. Seeing as how I'm Italian and this is an Italian wine, I might just have an affinity for things Italian. However, my guest that evening also shared my sentiments about this wine. It was like walking through strawberry fields in Florence; a sweet but bold red. If you can find this wine on the shelf, I suggest you grab it. From one person who loves food to another, you won't regret picking it up.
