ITALIAN REGIONAL WINES
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Italian vintners have moved rapidly to the forefront of current wine production, improving techniques to create wines of undeniable class in every region, north and south. Their wines derive not only from native vines, which represent an enormous array, but also from a complete range of international varieties.

122 Bolla Amarone della Valpolicella Valpolicello, Piedmont, 2004 This wine has a gorgeous combination of richness, powerful structure, and ripe raisined fruit but also a dry, food-hugging, savory finish. Nicely structured, good concentration, warm with crushed raisined fruit. Intense, herb-edged. $75.00 124 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino Brunello, Montalcino, 2001 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Complex and fresh, with inviting fruit aromas balanced by oak-imparted spices. Well-structured and full-bodied, with fine tannins that promise great aging capacity. The finish is long and impressive. $94.00 131 Renoto Nero D’Avola, Sicily, 2006 deep red-violet in color with a nose of ripe plum, cassis and anise and notes of black pepper, smoke and bacon lent by the 15% Syrah that is added to 85% Nero d'Avola, the workhorse red grape of Sicily. These carry onto a lush, velvety palate supported by ripe, soft tannins and a finely tuned acidic backbone. The finish is long, persistent and silky. $31.00 134 Costa Prà, Dolcetto di Dogliani, Superiore Dolcetto di Dogliani, Vendemmia, 2001 This wine is a blend of Nero d'Avola, Perricone and Nerello Mascalese grown in central and western Sciliy, producing a full, ripe and fruity  nose with just a hint of earthy aromas. $68.00 132 Fontanfredda 'Eremo' Langhe Red Wine, Piedmont, 2002 This wine shows classic Nebbiolo dark-fruit characteristics, with Barbera lending body and making the wine more accesssible. 70% Barbera, 30% Nebbiolo.  $32.00 121 Fabiano Amarone della Valpolicella Valpolicella, Verona, 2003 This amarone is a wine of antique lineage. It has a limited production with grapes coming from the classic zone of Valpolicella. The grapes are hand picked, pressed and vinified according to the age-old traditional method. Its flavor is dry and pleasant with a characteristic perfume, and its color is deep pomegranate which is the result of prolonged aging, $71.00 126 Gaja Barbaresco, Piedmont, 2004 The nose is almost sensual in its complexity, with aromas of forest fruits, plums, licorice, mineral and coffee scents. Long, complex finish with fine, silk-like tannins and good acidity; dense structure, full of super-ripe fruit. $295.00 127 Gaja Ca'Marcanda "Promis" Toscana, Toscana, 2004 Light garnet in color; Aromas of rasins, dark fruit and smoke. Full to medium-bodied, with medium chewy tannins and a strong finish. $88.00 128 Antica Torre Barolo Barolo, Piedmont, 2000 Expertly matured in oak barrels; dark ruby color introduces aromas in which the oak and dense fruit are perfectly blended. Full-bodied and intense with a full and dry taste $75.00 119 Raimondi Valpolicella Campo Santa Lena Valpolicella, Verona, 2005 Brilliant ruby red hue with cherry, thyme and spice aromas.  Medium-bodied with moderate tannins and a nicely balanced finish. This is a very versatile wine. $28.00 133 Salvano Barbaresco Antica Torre Barbaresco, Piedmont, 2001 Dark and garnet-ruby in color with big sweet red fruits, roses and a touch of tar on the palate. This wine exhibits a firm and swelling finish of concentrated flavors. $80.00   130 Michele Chiarlo “Le Orme” Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, 2004 Bright and zesty on the palate with ripe plum and strawberry fruit flavors underscored by a crisp acidic note. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and an elegant finish. $32.00 123 Sartori di Verona Amarone Corte Bra Valpolicello, Veneto, 1999 Rasin, tobacco and cedar aromas. A great intro to Amarones. $91.00 120 Secco-Bertani Valpolicello, Valpantena, 2004 Very Deep garnet color; a delicate bouquet with hints of spices and walnut.  Sensible berry fruit flavor, full-bodied with a persistent finish. $53.00 129 Tenuta di Arceno Prima Voce Toscana, Toscana, 2003 Ruby-garnet hue, with a nose that exudes black cherry and cassis with hints of vanilla, black pepper and exotic spices.  This well priced “Super Tuscan” brings together the best of old and new world Italian wine making. $46.00 125 Villa Antinori Toscana, Toscana, 2003 Round and fruity, with berry, spice and chocolate character. Medium-bodied, with a fresh finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. $68.00