I know I haven’t been talking about wine enough lately, what with the name of this blog and all. I’ve been writing about it so much outside of this blog that I was stuffed. But, as we enter the heavy drinking season, I have plenty of tasting notes saved up for tasty holiday treats. Today’s importer: Ideal Wines out of Medford, Mass: bringers of French wines mainly. Here are some of their Italians, affordable wines mostly.

Ca’ Rugate Valpolicella “Rio Alba” ($12-16) - Theie wines are very traditional, ergo flavorful. Medium-bodied, pure fruit, no hint of jammy, and with the dusty, soft earthy quality I love about Veneto. I’ve been very diasappointed in the quality of Valpolicella and Ripasso wines lately, so be picky. Caused by an increase in production, no doubt– too much of the inferior grapes, not enough Corvina. (Valpolicella’s the place, hills north of Verona)

Erik Banti Morellino di Scansano ($13-15) - I love this guy’s wines. To me, he walks that line between modernist and traditionalist perfectly. He utilizes modern equiptment to better express mother nature’s stamp on the land, not enhance it. (though some of these wines have new oak on them,). This area is always a darker shade of cherry than Chianti’s Sangiovese to the North. The smell gives these wines away; it’s wild, untamed–makes you think of thorny brush or an overgrown thicket. And your money generally goes a little farther. a $15 Morellino di Scansano should compare to a $20ish Chianti Classico. Should. The Banti does, for sure. Morellino di Scansano “Carato” ($15-18) - A portion of this wine is aged in new wood. It has deeper fruit, a more layered offering than the regular M di S. This wine could age, so open before dinner and let it hang out in your glass to get the full affect. The oak balances the bit of ferociousness. For $15, I’d point someone here instead of Bordeaux or Cali Meritage.

Trere Sangiovese di Romagna “Vigne del Monte” ($13-15) - I don’t know why these “next door neighbors” of Chianti aren’t coming on stronger. This is the 31st vintage produced by their bella donna winemaker (her first was at age 21). It’s got grip, a punch of bright cherry fruit, yet rolls across your mouth like a ballroom dancer. Emilio-Romagna is starting to produce more and more delicious wine, better to drink with its tasty meat products, my dear.

Vecchio Greppo Rosso del Salento ($8-10) - Salento or Salice Salentino have always been my choice for everyday, buy it by the case wines. Juicy dark fruit, almost dried character (but light-bodied), with a fine dryness on the finish. Not your typical $8.99 wine. So don’t tell anybody about it. I couldn’t handle having to pay over $10 for the stuff.

Colteranzio Pinot Bianco “Weisshaus” ($18-21) - From the crags of the Dolomites, where pasta and saurkraut come together, the Alto Adige produces some of the most beautiful white wines in the world–every bit as complex, elegant, and possessed of racy acidity as Alsace. (*But still a price point or 2 below for comparable quality) This wine has the softness of ripe pear, a very rich mouthfeel, and a stoney acidity. A great alternative to a low end Chablis.

Otella Lugana ($14-16) - Oh, you like Chablis? This wine has the razor’s edge for you. Lugana is, in a word, “eh” from the larger producers. Another example of an Italian wine not wanting to fit into corporate life. But this one is all fresh zing of apple and dry, dry, dry.