Taurino Notarpanaro (2004) Puglia

A spicy Italian red wine from Taurino, one of the first producers to bottle and sell wines from Puglia in the international marketplace. Before Taurino, wines from the south of Italy were primarily sold in bulk or used in blends to strengthen better known wines from northern Italy and France. The 2004 Notarparnaro is a blend of 85% Negroamaro and 15% Malvasia Nera. Dark, inky red in color. Rich, full nose of fruit and spice. Peppery fininsh. Aged for 36 months (six of which in a blend of Allier, Nevers, and Troncais oak). Bottle aged for an additional three years prior to release.

Stiftskellerei Neustift Abbazia di Novacella Kerner (2008) Alto Adige

A beautiful Italian white wine from Abazzia di Novacella, a winery founded in 1142 (and still run today) by the Augustinian order of monks who toil with 100 lay workers in the Isarco Valley of Alto Adige; located a short distance south of the Brenner Pass and the Austrian border. The winery is Italy's northernmost and specializes in cool-climate whites, many of which are grapes of Germanic origin. The 2008 Kerner is 100% Kerner, a grape originated as a cross between a Trollinger and a Reisling. Sparkling pale gold in color. Citrus fruit nose. Full, silky body. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. Crisp and delicious. Synthetic cork. Hock bottle. For those of you who are wondering, the photo is of former Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, who was the first of three (pretty soon four) Illinois governors to be convicted of Federal criminal charges.

Tenuta Luisa Friulano (2008) Friuli - Venezia Giulia

A resolute Italian white wine from Tenuta Luisa, an 80 year old family winery that farms nearly 200 acres of vineyards in the DOC Friuli Insonzo area of northeastern Italy that borders Slovenia. Their 2008 Friulano is 100% Friulano (called Tocai Friulano in the old days) that is vinified and aged in stainless steel. Deep golden-yellow in color. Apple/herb nose. Crisp acidity. A white wine with some there; there.

Vecchia Cantina Incanto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (2005) Tuscany

A good-enough Tuscan red from the Vecchia Cantina Cooperative, a large producer in the Poliziana region of southern Tuscany. Purchased on the cheap from Trader Joe's, a store that is by no means my "go-to" place for wine, but since we are there several times a week, it's convenient. According to the laws of of the DOCG (if you mix-up the letters it spells God; with a "C" for Christianity!) a wine has to have at least 70% Sangiovese and no more than 20% Canaiolo Nero to be designated as a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. (if you mix up these letters, I'm not sure what the hell you get.) Incanto's incarnation (clever? I thinks so) is a blend of 78% Sangiovese, 20% Canaiolo Nero, and 2% Mammolo. Haunting dark red color; decent cherry/stone fruit nose. Medium to full body. Nice acidity, but with some rough tannins. Needs food to be enjoyed. Cute image of a hedgehog on the label. Not enough hedgehog imagery in the wine world in my opinion.

Teruzzi & Puthod Terre di tufi (2007) Tuscany

A delicious summer white from Teruzzi & Puthod, a Tuscan winery owned by global branded beverage industry titan Gruppo Campari, whose 40 brands like Wild Turkey, Skyy vodka, Cinzano are distributed in over 190 countries worldwide. Founded in 1974, the winery has over 90 hectares under vine and produces more than a million bottles of wine a year. Their Terre di tufi is a blend of 80% Vernaccia, 7% Chardonnay, 7% Malvasia, and 6% Vermentino. Brilliant straw yellow in color with a fresh nose of apples - pine and otherwise. Synthetic cork.

Caldora Trebbiano D' Abruzzo (2005) Abruzzo

"Caldora, Caldora, what makes you big ass so round?" I picked up this leftover old bottle at Cost Plus World Market and was pleasantly surprised that it had held up so well. Caldora is a partnership between Valentino Sciotti, renowned winemaker Mario Ercolino and one of the largest cooperatives in Abruzzo. The cooperatives total holdings are around 1,200 hectares but only the best 200 or so are selected, vinified, and bottled under the Caldora name. The 2005 Trebbiano is light gold in color with a nice floral/citrus nose (still!) A blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia. Stainless steel. Nice finish.

Masciarelli Trebbiano d' Abruzzo (2008) Abruzzo

A wonderful summer white from Masciarelli; Italy's 2004 "winery of the year". Marsciarelli is the largest organically farmed estate in Italy, with over 1,000 acres scattered across Abruzzo. In addition to Trebbiano, they grow Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Falanghina, and olives for pressing into premium oil. Their Trebbiano d' Abruzzo is fermented and aged in stainless steel. Clean and crisp. Hints of apple, stone fruit, and freshly bathed pug. Refreshingly delicious. An outstanding value at $8.99 a bottle.

Lee Dewyze; Italian Wine Lover; 2010 American Idol Winner

Thanks to an "All-Access" backstage pass that was granted to Hollywood insider, The Italian Cellar, we were afforded an opportunity to briefly speak with season nine American Idol winner Lee Dewyze after his upset victory last night:

Lee, congratulations on your being voted 2010 American Idol. What was the first wine that made you realize you loved wine?

Damijan Ribolla Gialla 2002 made me change the way I look at white wine, and the first time I had Quintarelli Amarone I knew I’d never tasted anything even close to that before. However I have to say that the wine that did it for me, that truly made me realize that I love wine was Bartolo Mascarello’s 1989 Barolo (out of a magnum). Like the Quintarelli it possessed layers and depth that I could draw few comparisons to, and definitely had the "what was that?" impact on me. However the one thing that made this one truly stand out was it’s elegance. To this day if you asked me to describe my idea of “elegance” I would have to say that that wine is an example that I would use.

Describe your perfect meal and the wine you'd pair with it.

Well, prior to Idol, I was in Piemonte, so how could I not mention white truffles on Tajarin with aged Barolo. But there is also something to be said about the simplicity of a white like Verdicchio from Le Marche (look for Sartarelli) that work their magic with the seafood of the Adriatic on a summer day. The zing and citrus nuances bring just about any fish back to life - no sauces needed here - just some grilled fish and lemon. A Rosso di Montalcino with some pici topped with wild boar ragu is also a nice, simple classic pair.

Simon sounded sincere last night - don't you think?

He was very gracious indeed.

Well, congratulations again, and thank you for your time.

It was my pleasure.

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La Corte Salice Salento (2007) Puglia

A delicious quaffer from La Corte, a Lecce-area winery owned by the Tuscan firm of Renideo, who produce a number of spicy Italian reds made from Negroamaro and Primitivo grapes. Their Salice Salentino is a blend of 80-85% Negroamaro and 15-20% Malvasia Nera that is aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak for 18 months. Dark brick red in color, with a spicy, earthy nose. Peppery, but smooth finish. Terrific food wine. Not complex, but well made.