Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d' Abruzzo (2008) Abruzzo

A drinkable, affordable, organic Italian red from Chiusa Grande, a 50 hectare estate comprised of three farms perched high in the hills of Abruzzo. Deep red color. Spicy, fruity nose. A little Sunoco on the finish, but considering the price; they are forgiven. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 100% Montepulciano; organically grown. As is typical of the varietal, very food friendly (particularly anything tomato-based). Around $5 at Trader Joe's.

Tenuta Rapitala Piano Maltese (2006) Sicilia

A unique Sicilian white from Tenuta Rapitala, a seventy acre winery located in Camporeale, a commune about 20 miles southwest of Palermo; 'nuff said. Made from 50% Grillo, 50% Catarratto (grapes I never heard of previously) which are picked and vinified separately as they ripen at different times; the Grillo in mid August, and the Catarratto (which are grown at higher altitudes) towards the end of September. The name of the winery comes from the Arabic Rabidh-Allah “river of Allah” for the stream which flows through the vineyards; 'nuff said. Bright yellow color. Summer fruit nose. Seafood friendly acidity. A wine worth seeking out. Inexpensive.

Villa Calcinaia 'Comitale' (2008) Tuscany

A nice Italian white from Villa Calcinaia, a 75 acre winery that has been around since the 1524. Villa Calcinaia produces the full range of Tuscan varietals including Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, a renowned I.G.T Super Tuscan called Casarsa, Comitale, and a Vin Santo. In addition to wines, they also produce produce olive oil and vinegar. Their Comitale is an I.G.T. Bianco made from 90% Grechetto and 10% Vernaccia. Pale straw-yellow in color with some hints of green. Light, floral/fruit nose. Fermented and aged (for five months) in stainless steel. Crisp acidity.

Suavia Soave Superiore Classico (2008) Veneto

A delicious Italian white wine from Suavia, a top tier Soave producer from Veneto that was established in 1982 when owner Giovanni Tessari and his wife Rosetta decided to stop selling grapes to the local cooperative in order to produce their own wine. Today, the winery is operated by their daughters Arianna, Meri, Valentina, and Alessandra. Together, the sisters produce about 100,000 bottles annually on the 12 hectare estate. By the 1970's, Soave was widely dissed by the American market (and for good reason) so a producers' association, the Consorzio del Soave, established a series of rules to improve the quality of the wine. They also established rules for the "Classico" designation for wines that are grown in better areas with more carefully chosen grapes. A "Superiore" designation was also created for the best, most carefully made wines. The 2008 Suavia Soave Superiore Classico (say that ten times fast!) is 100% Garganega, that has a beautiful straw-yellow color and a floral nose of citrus. Crisp acidity. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. Definitely not your 1970's Soave!

Vietti Dolcetto d' Alba Tres Vigne (2006) Piemonte

A everyday delight from Vietti, a family owned Piedmontese winery that produces nearly 20 different wines from estate-owned vineyards (about 80 acres) and contract growers. The family’s involvement in the winery dates back to 1919. Vietti was one of the first wineries to select and vinify grapes from single vineyards, one of the first to export wine to the United States and is credited with rediscovering and promoting the Arneis, the now famous white wine from the Roero area, north of Barolo. The 2006 Dolcetto d' Alba Tre Vigne is 100% Dolcetto that is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. The wine is a very deep purple/red color with a strong nose of black cherry and raspberry. Perfect balance of acidity and tannins. Wonderfully smooth. Since 1974, certain Vietti wines have been adorned with original works of art inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. The print run is the same as the number of bottles produced, and the first hundred labels are signed by the artist. A terrific producer. Life would be better if every wine at this price level (less than $15) were this good. I have enjoyed every Vietti wine I have tried. Albeisa bottle.

Fattoria La Parrina Rosso (2006) Tuscany

Sort of a blah wine from La Parrina, a 450 hectare estate located along the Tyrrhenian coast of extreme southern Tuscany. The name Parrina is derived from the Castilian word Parra, meaning vine or pergola; which gives a hint to the areas past Spanish influence and wine-making history. The estate also operates a hotel and produces fruit, vegetables, olive oil, flour and many other 100% natural, organic foods for sale. The 2006 Rosso Parrina is 100% Sangiovese with a deep purple/red color. Very light nose. Fermented and aged in stainless. Nice balance of acids and tannins. Nothing here however, to make me race out and buy more.

Damilano Barbera d’Asti (2008) Piemonte

A terrific Barbera from Damilano, a small producer whose family holdings include pieces of the Liste and Cannubi vineyards that is known mainly for their ready-to-consume Barolo’s. The wine is from a recently acquired vineyard in Asti. Their Barbera d’Asti replaces the Barbera d’Alba, which was made from rented vineyards, and which will no longer be produced. With it’s high acidity, Barbera is a great food wine, especially anything made with tomatoes. Deep ruby/purple color. Dark cherry on the nose. Excellent balance and length. 100% Barbera. 20% is aged in new French barriques, 40% is aged in used barriques (2nd passage) and the remaining 40% aged in Tonneaux, all for 6 to 8 months. Albeisa bottle.

Trullari Primitivo Del Tarantino (2007) Puglia

A very bad wine from I’m not really sure who. I did an internet search for the producer and importer and was led in circles; it seems no one wants to take credit (or blame) for this wine. Named for the mortar-less, conical-roofed houses of Puglia, the 2007 Trullari Primitivo is a thin, watery effort; not at all like the bold, spicy way Primitivo and its genetically identical cousin, the Zinfandel grape, is supposed to taste. It’s as if it was made in the same manner as Curly of The Three Stooges cooks chicken soup; by pouring hot water over a chicken and serving the run-off. ("How was your meal, sir?" "The soup was watery, the meat was tough, and the coffee tasted like mud." "I’m glad you enjoyed it, be sure to tell your friends.") Made from 90% Primitivo and 10 % Montepulciano. Aged in stainless steel - and tasted like it; literally.

Andrea Oberto Langhe Nebbiolo (2006) Piemonte

A solid, affordable Langhe Nebbiolo from Andrea Oberto, a small (40 acre) family winery that produces about 100,000 bottles of Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto a year from some prime vineyards located in the communes of La Morra, Barolo, Alba, and Cherasco. The 2006 Langhe Nebbiolo is 100% Nebbiolo grown on 15-18 year old La Morra-ese vines. Meant to be drunk young, the wine is aged for six months partly in wood casks and partly in stainless steel vats and for two months in the bottle. Almost brown in color. (with my bad eyes in poor light) Nice fruit nose. Long, smooth finish. Enjoyed with cherry and port glazed Cornish hens. (something we just threw together) Albeisa bottle.

Sammy Sosa; Former Black Slugger, Italian Wine Lover, Idiot

Newly white Sammy Sosa recently sat down with the Italian Cellar for a brief chat about his life since retiring from the Major Leagues.

The Italian Cellar: Sammy, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us.

Sammy Sosa: It’s a pleasure to be white, I mean here.

TIC: Since retiring have you been watching a lot of baseball?

SS: Not too much; I’ve been busy with several projects.

TIC: Such as?

SS: My new candy bar; it’s made with white chocolate, nougat, and blanched almonds. I’m also writing a biography about another baseball great; Whitey Ford.

TIC: Sounds fascinating.

SS: Well it’s not all work for Sammy. I still find time to take strolls on the white sand beaches of my native Dominican Republic; I collect sand dollars and starfish and bleach them out. I've also taken up surfing; we have great whitecaps here.

TIC: We also hear you’re quite the wine aficionado.

SS: Oh yes; especially Italian whites. I love Verdicchio; it's so seafood friendly. I had a Sartarelli with some grilled whitefish last night; it was terrific. I also recently paired a Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi with some linguni and white clam sauce; Delicious.

TIC: What happened to your face?

SS: No comprendo.

TIC: Sammy, thanks for your time.

SS: It was great speaking with you.