In my book there are three types of wine that fall into the broadly defined "value" category. Wines that sell for $5-10 that are just not very good. There are $10-$15 wines that are very good and well priced.
And then the $15-$25 bottles that are truly exceptional and drink like much more expensive wines. This Montefalco from Umbria by Milziade Antano Winery is one of those gems.
I first tasted this wine at my favorite wine bar, Gottino, in NYC and then was delighted to find it for only $19.95 at my favorite wine store Amanti Vino in Montclair. Oops out of stock there. Looks like we might have to wait for the 2008 vintage. BACK IN STOCK at Amanti Vino
The cheap wines that sell for under $10 you might say are "good for the price" implying that there is a compromise in enjoying the wine. These are usually mass produced, by unknown vineyards or bottlers. If you like these wines I am very happy for you. But, I stay away from this group. These "value" wines are the easiest to find but are often disappointing.
The price range I buy most often are good wines that sell for around $10-$15, they are from known vineyards that are usually in up and coming regions like South America, Eastern Europe, Portugual or from top level vineyards that are selling their juice under another brand. This segment is harder to find. But you can discover them here on Mano a Vino.
Then there is what I consider the real value wines, bottles you can find for $15-$25 that drink like a much more expensive wines like this Montefalco Rosso by Milziade Antano.
Montefalco is a tiny beautiful village surrounded by Umbria's most important wine making region. I wonder if there is any connection in the fact that no less than 8 saints have been born there and that they make such devine wines.
The area is mosted noted for Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, made with 100% Sagrantino grapes but they also make Montefalco Rosso of a blend of Sangiovese, Colorino, Merlot, Sagrantina. Wine Tasting, Montefalco Rosso DOC, Umbria
Milziade Antano is the wine maker of this wine, they are brought to the US by the great importer T. Edwards Wines.
"Stylistically Antano would be in the old school in winemaking terms - the lack of intervention in the winery, no barrique and no high-tech equipment. He maintains his father's vineyard management techniques, now considered modern, which were considered radical when Milziade began them years ago with aggressive green harvesting and low tonnage per acre. These are wines that speak out about the strength and passion of the land and the people who till and harvest its fruits." Importer
"The 2007 Montefalco Rosso is a ripe, racy effort laced with red cherries, flowers and tobacco. In 2007 the fruit is super-ripe, giving the Rosso a measure of fatness and opulence that is unusual for this bottling, although the wine does freshen up quite a bit in the glass. The length alone is phenomenal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015." Score: 90. —Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
That is a great story. I love it when kids are empowered like that and embrace the passion.
Posted by: Peter Conway | 06/06/2012 at 06:52
We just returned from a 3 month trip to Todi, Italy and during a drive one day happened upon the Fattoria di Milziade Antano and bought a bottle of the Montefalco Rosso. We were treated to a wine tasting by the grandson--about 13 (enlisted by the father because he spoke English). He opened the bottles, poured the wine and gave valuable information about each in the fine manner of the most experienced sommelier.
Posted by: Chris Marchewka | 06/05/2012 at 22:37