See pictures of past Wizard events by clicking below:

• July 2010 Summer Picnic
• May 2010 Wine Dinner at 'Spagone'
• December Christmas Party - 2009
• Wine Dinner at Bar & Grille on 7 - 2009
• Wine Wizard's 2009 Picnic
• June Wine Dinner at Barcelona
• May 2009 Wine Dinner at 'Spagone'
• 2008 Wine Dinner at the 'Catch'
• Wine Wizard's 2008 Picnic
• May 2008 Wine Dinner at 'Spagone'
• Fall Wine Dinner at 'The Catch'
• Wine Dinner at Barcelona, New Haven
• Tour and tasting at DiGrazia Vineyards
• Wine Wizard's 2007 Picnic

Click here for past Wine Wizard's pages
Click the year to view a table of all wines tasted:     2008     2009    2010

In June we tasted Sangiovese, the most widely planted red grape varietal planted in Italy. It was known to the Romans as Sanguis Jovis or Blood of Jove. Many people believe that Chianti is a grape. It is not but merely a region of Tuscany where it is made today from Sangiovese grapes even though it began in the 1300’s as a white wine. In our first session we had a clear winner with IL Poggio Sangiovese 2008 which garnered 31 points. It is bright and fruity featuring red fruits with a bouquet of strawberry and red cherry. It cost $18.01 for a 1.5 liter bottle which equals $9.00 per bottle with 12% alcohol. In second place with 17 points was Falesco Umbria 2007. It exhibited aromas of black cherries, strawberries and plums. It has balance on the palate with soft tannins and slightly spicy finish. The winery is very large producing 2,800,000 bottles per year but only 80,000 of this wine. It costs $12.71 with 13.5% alcohol. In third was Poggio Dei Salici 2008 from Amelia, Italy earned 7 points. It is also a very large vineyard with 1,125 acres producing 1,000,000 bottles of this wine. It was our value priced winner at $6.35 with 12.5% alcohol. Last with only 5 points was Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2006. It is a DOCG, Italy’s highest designation. As a Riserva it is required to be aged 27 months with 12 in oak. It was our most expensive at $20.13 with 13% alcohol. Again, you will note that a lofty price and rave reviews does not guarantee a good wine.

In our second meeting the voting was much closer. In first with 18 points was Gabbiano Chianti 2008. Established in 1124 it is recognized as the birthplace of fine wine and cuisine. The label features a Cavaliere, a mounted knight who was a member of group of warrior knights who protected landowners in the Middle Age. It has aromas of ripe cherries and vanilla with cherry, cola and chocolate on the palate. It has a long fruity balanced finish. It has been rated by Italy as a DOCG. It costs $16.95 for a 1.5 liter bottle making it $8.47 a bottle with 12.5% alcohol. A close second with 17 points Di Maio Norante Sangiovese 2008. It is a dry mellow wine with fruit bouquet of violet and red berries. It was rated 90 by the Wine Advocate. It costs $10.59 with 12.5% alcohol. A close third with 10 points was Sangiovese Giacomo 2007. Grown in the warm dry Tuscan region it produces a wine bursting with robust flavors and is a good value at $11.65 with 13.5% alcohol. Finally with 7 points Ruffino Chianti 2007. They first bottled Chianti in a now trademarked refined Florentine bottle in 1975 replacing the traditional straw flask we were all so familiar with. It is pleasantly fruity with a soft lingering finish. The label features a copy of a beautiful sculpture by IL Verrocchio done in 1473. Also a DOCG it costs $13.77 with 13% alcohol.

As we have often noted there are a multitude of “value-priced” wines which outdo the expensive, highly rated ones. Use our experience to widen your wine drinking pleasure.