Regardless of whether you’re making a fancy home-cooked dinner, a fast and easy meal or even getting takeout, a food-friendly Italian red will most likely go with something on your table in the week ahead. After all, there are many versatile and affordable Italian reds that pair with a wide variety of foods from veal osso buco to a Margherita pizza. And because Italy is home to hundreds of grape varieties, you can always try something new. The following are two examples.
Cantina LaVis 2021 Pinot Nero, Trentino, ItalyBought • Starrs, 1135 South Big Bend Boulevard, in April for $15.99
Description • If you’re a pinot noir fan, try pinot nero, the Italian version of the same grape. This one, which received 90 points from critic James Suckling, is particularly good because it’s light-bodied, easy-to-drink and has soft tannins. It was produced by Cantina LaVis, a winery dating back to 1850 that was converted into a cooperative in 1948. Its pinot nero tastes of cherries, raspberries and other red fruit with the earthy flavor of mushrooms along with black pepper spice and a touch of vanilla from oak aging. It would go well with salmon, duck and other white meats.
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Poderi dei Bricchi Astigiani, 2020, Barbera d’Asti, ItalyBought • Starrs, 1135 South Big Bend Boulevard, in April for $14.99
Description • The barbera grape, known for its versatility and food-friendliness, is the most-planted variety in Piedmont. This excellent example comes from the Gaslini Alberti family, which also owns the famous Badia di Morrona winery in Tuscany. Considered a Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast, this is a medium-bodied red that is more complex and intense than the pinot nero. Well-balanced and very flavorful, it tastes of both red and dark berries with hints of herbs and pepper. It has a vibrant acidity that makes it a great pair for anything cooked with tomato sauce.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch lists the best-reviewed wines of 2022. The list has been divided into sparkling, white and red wines.
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Follow Gail on Twitter @GailAppleson.