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Italian - Tuscany and North      Mar. 9, 2002
Italy is 3/4 the size of California but makes more wine in most years - which leads to its being taken for granded. Most of the finest wines come from the four regions shown on the map. Native grape varieties include Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Aglianico, and Barbera. Some of the wines produced are: Piedmont (mostly red) - Barolo - Barbaresco Tuscany (mostly red) - Chianti (Classico) - Montepulciano Veneto (red & white) - Valpolicella - Bardolino - Soave Trentino-Alto Adige (white) - Pinot Grigio Friuli-Venezia Giulia (white) - Tocai Friulano From Dirck & Larry's announcement.
#	From the Bottle Label	Comments
1	2000 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie	Good clean taste
2	1999 Morelliano Di Scansano Erik Bant Grapes: 85% sangeovese, 15% grenache	Light
3	1998 Avignonesi Rosso Tuscany $8.99	Okay
4	1999 Nugola Vecchia $5.99 at Trader Joe Grapes: 90% sangeovese, 10% merlot	More acidy, okay
5	1999 Rossi Di Tocana Bottled by Renzo Massi Erta e China $7.99 Grapes: 50% sangeovese, 50% cabernet sauvignon	Nicely balanced. A favorite of Larry
6	1999 Monte Antico Soscano $9.99 Grapes: sangeovese
7	1999 Rosso di Montalcino by Ferinand Rossi Tuscany Price unknown, guess $15-20. Robert Parker called it a Best Buy 1999.	Very good, balanced, nice finish. Much praise for this one.
8	1994 Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico $14.99	Some liked this. Had almost no finish. Maybe too old?
9	1998 Ruffino Riserva Ducale $19.99	Good body, good finish. Generally highly praised. A favorite of Larry.
10	1996 Villa Di Capezzano Carmignano Grapes: 90% sangeovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon	Opinions vary from very good to flat. Seemed to have no tanin and no acid. "Cab finish"?
11	1999 Villa Cafagggio Chianti Classico Vendemmia $11.99 Grapes: mostly sangeovese	Good
12	1995 Masciarelle Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Grapes: montepulciano	Medium body, mild tanin, well-balanced.
13	1999 Sandrone Dolcetto d'Alba $15.99 Grapes: dolcetto	Touches of cherry or almond.