February 2003
"The Vineyard"
2000 Rupicolo, Castel del Monte, Apulia. When you uncork this smooth, flavorful, red wine made from Montepulciano grapes, imagine you are walking in the southern Italian countryside, stopping to spread a cloth under an old olive tree, and feasting on crusty bread, roasted red peppers, and a slice of Romano cheese. Also congratulate yourself on how little it cost you for this pleasure! Regularly $12 a bottle, now $99 a case.
1999 Cantina Volpi "Vobis Tua," Barbera d'Asti, Piedmont. Perhaps the most Italian of all wines, Barbera (named for the grape) is well structured, straight forward, and a wine of real stature. No other Italian red wine marries as well with marinara sauces, and the spicier, the better! Regularly $15 a bottle, now $139 a case. December 2002
