Wine of the Week: 2007 Poggio Basso Chianti Classico Riserva

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” – Arnold Bennett 

During the average course of a day on the wine-sales floor, promoting wine to the public; I found that garden variety vino-sapiens are often opposed to change or even the suggestion of exploration. Far too many folks seem to want/need the same "wine-experience" over and over and will choose to grab their favorite crass commodity bottle. Often times, when I do offer an alternative; like the wine you see in the picture above, they will occasionally run-away away shrieking in horror, okay, that's just a slight bit of exaggeration, but you get the picture. 

And why, well there are a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's because they're not comfortable taking a wine-risk. So, they run willy-nilly back to the comfort of the same formulaic brand they've become used to and know well. For me, this is, in fact, is one of the saddest things I hear coming from the lips of folks who I know dig wine as much as I do; but they're just too scared or far too comfortable to venture through the door of discovery. 

Hell, they won't even dip a toe in the pool; especially if the price of the wine veers over their perception of the reasonable range. Leaves me thinking, c'mon, for crying-out-loud people, it's just a bottle of wine; it's not a life-altering event. But maybe, just maybe it could be, hmm ponder the possibilities of choosing to explore instead of settling for the ordinary in the wine comfort zone. 

I'd invite anyone to take some time to investigate what Chianti has to offer the average vino-sapiens. Once you discover many of the good to even great producers; who I know if given a chance, these wines will help change many minds and hearts about these delicious, affordable, and genuinely authentic Tuscan treasures.

I popped the cork on this rustic beauty just last night a delicious classic style of Chianti Classico; which paired amazingly well with a gorgeous traditional Margherita Pizza Mrs. Cuvee and I dined upon last night, okay, maybe we had more than one pizza, they were small eight inches. 

The wine was the perfect accompaniment, just playing some sweet bass tones in the background, while at the same time enhancing the overall 'epicurean' experience. The wine sells most places for an SRP of $20, and I gave it a score of 90 points making it a QPR star.

The Poggio Basso is a well-executed wine with has "classic" written all over it, 100% Sangiovese goodness from the first splash in my glass to the very last drop. A stinky nose, which made me think rich dry earth, cracked, sun-beaten leather and fruit all, came together at some point. After the first splash, polished tannins and dried fruits reminding me of dark plums dark red-cherries and, yes you could taste the pit.

A small factoid about Italy’s most planted grape known as Sangiovese. It’s a slight [smaller the better] dark-berried grape and, one that has become synonymous with the majority of the red wines from the Tuscany region. But of course, not everyone plants the same clone of Sangiovese, so that said never forget clones matter.

Weighing in at just 13% abv and nicely textured, this wine made for the perfect food pairing partner. While we chose pizza, I could imagine seeing this wine pair beautifully with large variety Italian recipes. Okay, all done with the pontificating for now; until next folks remember, life is short so sip long and prosper cheers!