Like the Girl You Date
A while back I wrote about my dad’s wine club. I discussed whereas I loved the 2003 Cantina Zaccagnini, I really felt that the 2004 had missed the mark. A few days ago I bought the 2005 – Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva, ($15). Even after the poor 2004 showing I wanted to give it another shot.
Last night I was alone in the apartment, and I did what any guy alone for the first time in a while would do. I made myself a good red sauce. I went to the refrigerator and I pulled together ingredients for my spontaneous sauce. I found fresh basil, flat leaf parsley and black olives. From the pantry I grabbed a can of whole tomatoes, several cloves of garlic, an onion and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper.
Soon the aroma of sizzling garlic and onion rose from the hot extra virgin olive oil and filled my nostrils. I pulled the cork from the long neck adorned with a piece of grapevine from the vineyard. I can never decide whether I think that this decoration is attractive—or tacky. Nevertheless it doesn’t effect the liquid in the bottle—so the debate is mute.
As I watch my sauce—occasionally stirring it as it simmered. My taste buds were open and ready. In the glass it’s a medium-dark ruby. The nose had dark fruit with a bit of wet earth. On the tongue it was sweet and dry, with very distinctive cherry. It’s medium bodied with a nice easy finish. It complemented my plate of pasta perfectly. This is a simple pleasing wine good for any hearty Italian meal.
It’s as good, if not better than the 2004, and at $15 it’s worth getting. It’s not a complex master—but a good solid table wine. It’s like the girl you date, not the one you marry—pleasing for a while, but if you keep her for a long time she’ll turn on you .
Tags: Italy, Montepulciano, red