Tonight, we go to Tuscany.

I don’t know how many people have seriously heard of Banfi, or if the people that have heard of Banfi would take it seriously, but I know that it has always been an excellent wine.  And sometimes, even an excellent value - like this 2005 CollePino @ $9.99.

CollePino is a blended sangiovese and merlot, that really opens up nicely to subtle aromas of red raspberries and strawberries.  This CollePino is  very dark in color, and seems to really coat the glass.  It happens to be a medium bodied red that’s been accompanied by a short to medium finish that is incredibly soft.  It just fades away, leaving you with a wisp of light, red berry.  And after the second half of the bottle, an equally soft finish.  If you were to think that a shot of Jaegermeiter, Bacardi 151 and Rumpleminze was like a kick in the head, think of this as being the exact opposite.  That’s all I’m saying.

I first heard about the Banfi from a book written by Ferenc Mate, entitled “A Vineyard in Tuscany”.  The work is non-fiction and is an entertaining autobiography about Ferenc’s need to start a winery while living in Italy.  I thank the world for all of the Mate’s out there, toiling all year long so that we can drink their wines.  Truly, I take my hat off to you all.  Had you not picked up the plow, I might be forced to be drink another, albeit lesser, spirit - like water.