A combination of factors make this wine seem almost too good to be true, the Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva from Costco. [UPDATE March 2023: Below is a review of the 2019 vintage of this wine. After tasting the just released 2020 vintage of this normally very … [Read more...]
$8 Italian Reds
$8 Italian Reds! While many Italian wine lovers find enjoyment in big, expensive wines like Brunello and Barolo, we also like to appreciate the simple things.
For us, there's nothing quite like finding an excellent, inexpensive Italian wine that you can pair with a simple plate of spaghetti or a takeout pizza.
Keeping the entire meal (wine and all) to well under $20 -- without compromising on the taste -- gives us a special joy. Of course that is easier said than done, so this list is our attempt to make that possible.
Read on for our list of $8 and Under Italian Reds!
Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Tart, Simple and...
Revisiting the Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, an old $5 favorite from Trader Joe's. But does it still measure up? There's no information given from Trader Joe's but this is a DOC wine so according to the rules for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo it must be at least 85% … [Read more...]
Adventure Series Chianti - Surprisingly Competent Stuff
Authentic Chianti character for just $4.99 courtesy of Aldi, the Adventure Series Chianti DOCG. Primarily Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy. … [Read more...]
Grifone 1967 Toscana - Cheap and Tasty
A perfect partner for pizza, the cheap and tasty Grifone 1967 Toscana from Trader Joe's. 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah from Tuscany, Italy. … [Read more...]
Epicuro Aglianico - Pizza Night
Another good pizza wine from Trader Joe's for just $5.99, the Epicuro Aglianico Puglia IGP. Aglianico from Apulia, Italy. The wine is fermented and matured in stainless steel and has 14 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
Epicuro Primitivo - Cheap and Tasty
Slightly sweet and impressively tasty for just $5.99, the Trader Joe's Epicuro Primitivo Puglia IGP. Primitivo (Zinfandel) from Apulia, Italy. The wine is fermented and matured in stainless steel and has 16 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
Epicuro Nero d'Avola - Simple, Tart and Tasty
Another slightly sweet and tasty find from Trader Joe's for just $5.99, the Epicuro Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy. Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy. The wine is fermented and matured in stainless steel and has 13.7 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
Cultusboni Cetamura Chianti - Friday Night Pizza Wine
A true to form Chianti for less than $10, the Cultusboni Cetamura Chianti DOCG. 100% organically grown Sangiovese from the Colli Senesi and Colli Aretini subzones of Chianti in Tuscany, Italy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and ages for just a month in the … [Read more...]
Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo – Bring on the Pizza
A new pick for one of our favorite categories of wine, $8 Italian Reds. The Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. 100% Montepulciano from nine specific estate vineyards in Abruzzo, Italy. The wine is aged in stainless steel and has 4.5 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
Il Bastardo Rosso - Simply Sangiovese
Keeping it simple can be quite delicious, the Il Bastardo Rosso di Toscana from Renzo Masi. 100% Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel. … [Read more...]
Grand Alberone Rosso - Inspired
It's no Amarone but it's still pretty darn good for only $9, the Grand Alberone Rosso from Aldi. While neither Aldi or the producer give a lot of information on this wine, it seems to be a blend of predominately Primitivo (Zinfandel) along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot … [Read more...]
Stella Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Hits The Spot!
After tasting the simple but oh so satisfying Stella Montepulciano d'Abruzzo you'll be quite happy to know it's available in a 3-liter box! 100% Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy. The wine is aged for 5 months in stainless steel and another 4 months in the bottle before … [Read more...]
Soraie Veneto Cecilia Beretta - Velvety Sweet
The Soraie Veneto Cecilia Beretta, a very nice example of a wine made using the appassimento method, at a bargain basement price thanks to Trader Joe's. 40% Merlot, 30% Corvina, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Croatina from Veneto, Italy. The wine is made from partially … [Read more...]
Mamma Mia Red Blend - Mamma Knows Best
Fresh, easy to drink and uncomplicated. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Italy. The wine was aged for four months in stainless steel tanks. … [Read more...]
Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore - A Fab Food Wine
Yes, our latest Trader Joe's find is a food wine and that's a wonderful thing. 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara from Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy. The wine is made in the Ripasso style where the the wine is fermented with the leftover dried grape skins from … [Read more...]
Get To Know Nero d'Avola - Mandrarossa Nero d'Avola Costa Dune
Exploring the signature variety of Sicily with the Mandrarossa Nero d'Avola Costa Dune. 100% Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Italy. The wine is aged in stainless steel for 3 months before bottling and another 3 months in bottle before release. It has residual sugar of just 2.4 g/L. … [Read more...]
Piccini Memoro Rosso - Smooth and Sweet
The Piccini Memoro Rosso, an unusual but extremely tasty blend of varieties, regions and vintages. 40% Primitivo from Puglia, 30% Montepulciano from Abruzzo, 20% Nero d'Avola from Sicily and 10% Merlot from Veneto, Italy. All varieties were aged 12 months in oak casks before the … [Read more...]
Rosa dell'Olmo Barbera d'Asti - A Darn Good Wine For The Price
The Rosa dell'Olmo Barbera d'Asti, our next Trader Joe's Top Pick and a fabulous pizza wine. Barbera from Barbera d'Asti, Asti, Piedmont, Italy. … [Read more...]
Caves Saint-Pierre Vacqueyras - GSM Love
A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre aged for 9 months in casks and large barrels. From Vacqueyras, Southern Rhone, France. Available for $12.99 exclusively at Trader Joe's. From the bottle: "Located in Chateauneuf-du-Pape since 1898, Caves Saint-Pierre is a … [Read more...]
The Best Box Wines - Vinchio-Vaglio Serra Piemonte Barbera
The first selection in our series on boxed wine! 100% Barbera from Piedmont, Italy. Available for as low as $16 for a 3L box. Purchased at Total Wine. From the importer: "This wine is an entry level Barbera from Vinchio Vaglio Serra, a winery known for their … [Read more...]
Re Midas Corvina - Fit For A King
BULK BUY! 100% Corvina from Delle Venezie, Veneto, Italy. SRP of $10 and available for as low as $8. Sample submitted for review. Imported by MW Imports USA. From the bottle: "Re Midas Corvina is crafted from grapes grown on hillside vineyards located in the Veneto, … [Read more...]
Di Majo Norante Sangiovese - Smooth, Soft, Simple and Good
100% Sangiovese from Terre degli Osci, Molise, Italy. Sample submitted for review. SRP of $12 and available for as low as $8. Imported by Winebow. From the winery: "Made from 100% Sangiovese grown in the Ramitello and Martarosa vineyards and hand-harvested in October, this … [Read more...]
Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno - $8 Italian Reds
Bulk Buy! 80% Sangiovese and 20% Montepulciano from Rosso Piceno, Marches, Italy. Made from Organic grapes. … [Read more...]
Vitiano Rosso - $8 Italian Reds
34% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Sangiovese from Umbria, Italy. … [Read more...]