The Under $25 Crowd ... Continued

I have two Italian and two French reds on the table tonight. This first wine was so good it deserves its own title, but seeing as how this was part of the Under $25 Crowd installment, it must be featured here.

The Belpoggio "Stupor Mundi" Rosso Piceno 2006 ** is a 12.5% by alcohol dry red wine from the east coast of Italy -- check this map. The label features a famous depiction of Fredrick II, Holy Roman Emperor, who was known in his own time as "stupor mundi" i.e., "wonder of the world." Check him out. The wine was too young upon opening, but it revealed its nice dark fruits quickly, and the minor industrial funk that wafted out of this bottle after popping the cork, vanished within an hour, revealing dark berry notes and very good balance. This is a good value and should be requested at your local shop.

Next up we have an Aglianico del Taburno DOC from Cantina del Taburno "Fidelis" 2005 * This is also a good value but is a touch thinner, with less sweet red fruit and slightly tougher tannin on the front end. A nice pizza wine, not much more.

From France we have an Ermitage du Pic St Loup * from the Coteaux du Languedoc.  "A standard Pic St. Loup blend of Syrah (55%), Grenache (35%) and Mourvedre (10%), it's produced by the firm Ravaille Freres." This isn't a bad wine, and at $15 it could be an everyday crowd pleaser, but there is, again, some industrial funk on the nose of this wine, and I couldn't recommend it to someone without noting that while this is not plonk, it's not one of my favorites. That said, I've found it pleasing enough over a course of meatloaf covered in ketchup after a tiring day. What more need be said?

Finally, we have a nice and light Bourgogne Aligote from Domaine Roulot * Virtually white gold in color, this is steely with just a hint of citrus and anise. A wine to serve at dinner parties and over striped bass.

Cheers!