Botromagno Gravina Bianco, Apuglia 2002
Price $9.99
Rating 89
Composed of 60% greco and the remainder being Malvasia, there are aromas of crisp pear and melon. A sip offers more pear, melon and citrus/floral. There is a nuance of peach, typical from the greco grape.

Gravina is a little-known DOC near the border with Basilicata, destined to produce Puglia's finest white wines. This wine is suggested to be paired with poultry, smoked fish or pasta salad. For more information, visit www.botromagno.it.

Pecchenino Dolcetto di Gogliani "San Luigi" Piedmont 2001 Price $20 Rating 92 Restrained, but ripe red fruit with elements of fresh berries, tar/earth and a charming, subtle spice within the good length. There is red cherry in the finish.

Coppo Barbera d'Asti "Camp du Rouss" Piedmont 2000 Price $20 Rating 94 Firm flavors of complex dark fruit, dark earth elements, with a great length. Deep red in color with garnet highlights, the bouquet is pleasantly intense with persistent aromas. This red wine is both full bodied and velvety smooth. Recommended with beef cooked in red wine sauce, pasta in a non tomato based sauce, or with a gourmet pizza.

Villa Maltilde Rosso Falerno del Massico, Italy 1999 Price $16 Rating 93 Notice the clean flavors of ripe red fruit, like black cherry and plum, along with nice mineral and mint hints. The rosso is made primarily from agliannico and piedirosso, although small amounts of primitivo are in the blend.

The roots of Falerno go deep into classical history. According to Pliny the wine was therapeutic, Horace referred to it as his favorite as did Virgil who wrote in the Georgics, "Falerno has no competition." Fattoria Villa Matilde remains the only estate independently producing Falerno del Massico in its entire production cycle from grape to bottle. More information may be found at www.winebow.com.

Castello di Rampola Chianti Classico 2000 Price $33 Rating 93 There are delicate aromas of black cherry and mineral, followed by clean, crisp flavors of beautiful, ripe red fruit with subtle herbal notes in the long length.

The Rampolla estate, with its lovely grounds and views of the Conca d’Oro valley, is one of Chianti’s most striking. The castle has belonged to the Rampolla family since 1739. Prior to 1980, they sold most of their grapes to Antinori. They now receive the proper recognition for perfect Chianti grapes.