A fresh look at classic Italian wines

Let’s talk about two of the most common Italian wines, but also two of the most interesting! You’ve probably all tried a Chianti and Pinot Grigio, but let’s dive a little deeper into these two wines from Caposaldo shall we??

Pinot Grigio-love it or hate. It may have gotten a bad rep from the mass produced, bottom shelved and boxed displays, but I invite you to reconsider! Did you know that in 2017 Pinot Grigio was promoted for IGT level to DOC? Indeed, a vineyard area covering the Veneto, Friuli and Trentino-Alto Adige is now called Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC. This is the second highest ranking level in Italy and guarantees quality and eliminates the possibly of poor quality when sporting the fancy DOC label. You can expect beautiful citrus and stone fruit notes, minerality and mouth watering freshness. It’s easy-drinking and pairs perfectly with a poolside day of sunshine as well as a divine plate of seafood. See the photo below to know how to identify the DOC quality level on the label.

Tell your friends! You are now a Pinot Grigio pro. Now, let’s talk about Chianti.

Chianti is a region in Tuscany, Italy. The land of spaghetti, lasagna and Sangiovese! Chianti DOCG must be at least 70% Sangiovese. We can expect red fruit notes of cherries, cranberries and strawberries, dried herbs, spice and earthiness. These wines are refreshingly lighter in weight on the palate with a full bodied tannin (dryness) structure. Chianti typically has quite a bit of acidity (mouth-watering sensation) which makes it the perfect partner for tomato based dishes. They pair with Italian dishes like this Tuscan chicken pictured above and even pizza! You should know that in 1996 Chianti DOCG became official, which is even higher ranked than DOC. There’s many sub-regions, categories and aging requirements in Chianti, but what’s most important is that you enjoy the wine! Next time you cook up an Italian dish or order a pizza from your favorite local spot, open up a Chianti. You won’t be disappointed!