There are few things I love in life more than a deal. A dollar saved. Knowing I’m getting a great value. It’s true…been that way since I was a little girl. I remember saving up my babysitting money and heading to the discount clothing store with my girlfriends to see what I could do with $15, usually coming out with a little something to make me feel sassy with a pep in my step, baby-tee anyone? Haha! Well, I am here to tell you there are deals to be had in wine and this Rosso di Montalcino is one of them, albeit with more quality and staying power than the baby-tees of the 90’s.

Wines from Montalcino are made with Sangiovese, the most famous grape of Tuscany, and Brunello di Montalcino is one of the stars using 100% Sangiovese. Brunellos are some of Italy’s best known and most expensive wines today. I myself have never had one as they tend to start around $40 and go up in price considerably from there due in part to it’s long aging requirements. Rosso di Montalcino was established in 1984 as a way to give producers more flexibility in making the same wine, with the same (100% sangiovese) grapes but with less aging time. We are talking 6 months in oak and 1 year total aging for rosso versus 3 years or more for a brunello. As a result of seeing less oak the wine ends up lighter, fresher and with much less tannin, a profile I prefer anyway. The best part however is Rosso di Montalcino’s tends to be 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a Brunello thanks to the decreased production time. Same wine, less oak, less cost. That sounds like a great deal to me!

2012 Baricci Rosso di Montalcino, 90 Points Wine Enthusiast, $21.99 at K&L Wines
This wine had some pretty bold tannins the first night I opened it, honestly, it was not my favorite. Fast forward two nights sealed in the fridge and I had a fully developed red on my hands that was absolutely delicious. Perfect on it’s own but also paired beautifully with my pasta puttanesca. Lots of black cherry, deep spice and a touch of earthiness. I will definitely buy this bottle again. Cheers!