Piccini Chianti – $8 Italian Reds

95% Sangiovese and 5% Ciliegiolo from Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.

SRP of $9 and available for as low as $7.50. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“This traditional favorite starts soft on the palate and finishes with clean, delicate fruit. Great with a variety of dishes.

13.0% Alcohol”

Today we have our second $8 Italian Red and our first Chianti in this series. As we mentioned yesterday, not only are we highlighting inexpensive Italian red wines this week, our friends at Marketview Liquor are offering you a great deal on each wine — free shipping on orders of 6+ bottles (mix & match). And the good news is that besides yesterday’s and today’s delicious wines, we still have four more to go! (This deal is now expired but if you want to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the wines, I recommend that you subscribe to our daily email.)

There’s nothing wrong with keeping things uncomplicated and that’s just what today’s wine does — and in doing so highlights what’s good about Chianti. The 2011 Piccini Chianti begins with a simple but fruity aroma of cherry and other red berries as well as a few floral notes. You’ll probably want to give this one some time to breathe as it develops a bit more with some time in the glass. Tasting reveals a fresh, fruity and savory wine with soft tannins and good acidity. This would make one heck of a nice pizza wine. On the medium length finish the black cherry fruit turns a bit sour and a little spicy black pepper comes through as well. Sometimes keeping things simple is the best thing you can do!

Wine in the $8 Italian Reds Series!

• Wine #1: Banfi Col Di Sasso Toscana 2010 – One Tasty and Food Flexible Tuscan.
• Wine #2: Piccini Chianti 2011 – The Uncomplicated Life.
• Wine #3: Tormaresca Neprica 2010 – A rich, chewy, fruity bomb of goodness.
• Wine #4: Vitiano Rosso 2010 – Cheap and Easy.
• Wine #5: Coltibuono Cetamura Chianti 2011 – The perfect Friday night pizza wine!
• Wine #6: Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno 2010 – Saving the best for last!

Can’t receive wine shipments in your state? See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.