A Baby Brunello that will knock your socks off!

We've been tasting a Rosso di Montalcino this week. A Rosso is essentially the same thing as a Brunello di Montalcino, without the baggage that a reputation brings with it. The grapes are the same, 100% Sangiovese Grosso. The only difference in the winemaking is the aging process. By the laws of the Brunello DOC, the wine must be aged on oak for a minimum of four years. Rosso di Montalcino only requires two years on oak before bottling.

The upshot of this is that you get a slightly friendlier, more fruit-forward wine, at a comparitive bargain, to boot! Instead of shelling out $50 or more for a bottle of Brunello, this particular bottle, the 2005 Capanna Rosso di Montalcino, will set you back only $30. After a promising tasting on Wednesday night, I took about a half a bottle home and enjoyed it with some primavera. It's earthy aroma and cherry-dominated palate really shone when paired with the kinds of bright flavors you find in the springtime Italian classic.

This stuff is ready to drink now, but probably has a few good years left in it.

Inaugural post, musings free

Welcome! This is our first post in what promises to be a fun series. As of now, I plan three posts a week, one of which will feature new or interesting wines and beers in the shop. The balance of posts will be of a more general nature, offering some random thoughts on our beloved hobby as beer and wine aficionadi.

So watch us here beginning next week for what I hope will be a good read for wine and beer lovers in Beavercreek and our big brother Dayton and its surrounding areas.