Seratina Primitivo & Tenute Folonari Super Tuscan

I attended one of my local wine shops, Lucia's Bodega, wine tasting that was celebrating their “3^rd Anniversary Bash”. I sampled about 6 Italian wines and two stood out to me on two different sides of the price spectrum that I'll cover, but I also appreciated the quality of the following:

• Montupoli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
• Illuminati Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva DOCG
• Banfi Col-di-Sasso Toscano
  

Property of Wine Folly, www.winefolly.com

The first one I wanted to cover that I picked up for $12.50 a bottle was the 2011 Seratina Primitivo from Puglia. Puglia is located in south eastern Italy that runs down the heel of the boot. You will see it on the map provided by Wine Folly. The Primitivo grape was discovered to be associated with the US's grape, Zinfandel. Not white zin! This is one of the top red grapes of Puglia and is primarily produced out of this region. This wine had a higher alcohol content of 14%, but I enjoyed it's soft tannins combined with the ripe fruit producing a medium to full body with a lasting finish. If you seek out this grape you should be able to find some good deals!

The other wine I really enjoyed was around $50 a bottle, but was impressive. The wine was from the Tenute Folonari estate that was a 2008 Cabreo Il Borgo Red Toscana super tuscan wine made up of 70% sangiovese and 30% cabernet sauvignon. If you haven't figured it out I'm a big fan of sangiovese along with nebbiolo and I alway seem to enjoy these wines the most, but I'm one to try everything and that's why I like exploring Italy's hundreds of grape varieties. 
 

Center of Greve

This wine comes from Greve, which is one of the primary communes/towns in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. It's right outside Florence and if you are in the area you must go there. It's a charming town with a beautiful square surrounded by restaurants and shops. I stayed at an agriturismo (like a B&B) Patrizia Falciani surrounded by the vineyards of Le Masse di Greve when I had gone. 
 

My next blog I have a winemaker I'd like you to meet of the 2^nd biggest winery in the Chianti Classico region of Italy. I had a great interview and meeting with him and can't wait to share it!

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