2007 Ruffino Chianti

 

Varietal:  Chianti
Region:  Tuscany – Italy
Cost:  $9.99 – $12.99

Slightly fruity nose that has leads into spicy notes the more you inhale.  This ruby red medium-bodied wine has a slightly fruity taste with just the right amount of tannins on the back end to fit perfectly with a traditional Italian dinner, but not so much as to make it hard to drink by itself.

Recommendation:  If you’re not a big Chianti drinker and want to get into it, this is a good one to start with.  Nice and smooth with a slightly more subtle finish than some other Chiantis, this will go great with pasta, steak, lamb, and pretty much anything that’s juicy or saucy.  However, thanks to the smoother finish, this is also a great wine to enjoy by itself, something I find very appealing about the Ruffino.  While it’s not my favorite Chianti (Gabbiano and Bell’agio hold my heart), it’s really hard to pass on for the price if you’re looking for something to mix in with your red sauce and then enjoy with a pasta dinner.   Don’t pay more than $9.99 for this, but worth it at that price.