This week instead of focusing on a region, grape, or producer, we decided to follow our stomachs. Let’s say it’s a Wednesday night and you don’t feel like going out but you want a good hot meal, and a little vino would really help put the day behind you and allow for relaxation. What to make and what wine to pour are the questions. Try boiling some pasta; while it’s still hot, shave liberal amounts of pecorino cheese over the top, season with cracked black pepper, and finish it off with a good olive oil. This is a quick, simple, and delicious dish that might take you 10 minutes to make. Now pour yourself a glass of red, and you’re set for the evening (try a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo or a Rosso Toscana).

We would like to suggest three wines that we think are perfect for almost any kind of pasta dish. While there are quite a few good table wines to choose from at Panzano, some new arrivals are quite tempting. The qualities that make these wines a solid choice are: value, broad appeal, and the fact that they tend to get better after being open for three or four days. In everyday wines or “Table Wines”, these qualities are more the exception than the rule. However, here are some good examples of wines that will fit your hectic schedule and budget.

Starting with a white, there is the 2009 Cantina Cincinnato Castore Lazio Bianco IGT ($12), from Lazio, Italy. This white is made up of 100% Bellone (an ancient varietal found in and around Rome). This white pairs quite well with fresh vegetables, arugula salads, fish and Cacio e Pepe (the aforementioned pasta dish). The body of this white is a light to medium weight; it’s slightly lush with layered notes of meyer lemon, under-ripe pear, white pepper, and hints of sage.

For a couple of red options, try considering the 2008 Caldora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Rosso DOC ($15) Abruzzo, Italy, and the 2005 Barone Albergotti Rosso Toscana IGT ($20) Tuscany, Italy. Immediately upon tasting the Barone Albergotti Rosso, we had to have it. This is a beautiful inexpensive red that drinks almost as good as Brunello and offers up a far more friendly palate abundant with dried cherries, black peppercorn, leathery tannins and a finish of ripe plum. If you’re looking for more full-bodied wine, then contemplate grabbing a bottle of the Caldora Montepulciano. This is a full-bodied red loaded with dark fruits like plum and blueberry followed nicely by savory notes of sun dried tomato and spice with a long mellow finish. If you need a red for pasta with tomato sauce, either one will more than satisfy.

The wines featured are great for everyday and are bottles that you can drink throughout the course of week without having to rush to finish it or dump out the rest of the bottle after a couple of days after opening. If you still need further convincing, stop by the tasting table this week and see for yourself.

Cheers!

Fred Mullins