Meanwhile, back in Bloomington

I have spent some time since the last post away from Bloomington and it doesn’t seem fair, or newsworthy either, to dwell on the fact that they sure do make some good wine in Tuscany. I was struck by the variety of inexpensive but distinctive sangioveses. Sure a great aged Brunello is a wonderful thing and maybe even worth a hundred euros now and then. So, also, are the commercial inexpensive Tuscans like, say, Antinori’s Santa Cristina, dependable values widely available for about ten dollars everywhere. But the range and quality of in-between wines, either lesser bottlings from the great Brunello growers or prime wines with more obscure geography, gave this thirsty traveler a real thrill for never more than twenty euros. I’m going to have to look more carefully at what’s available here. I have had some delightful non-Tuscans since I have been back. One great bargain: a Spanish wine, the 2003 Las Rocas grenache. For about ten dollars, this peppery and deeply fruity grenache can give stiff competition to a Chateau-Neuf du Pape at three times the price. Not much more expensive is the Cavalotto 2003 Dolcetto Scot, rich in cherry and almond flavors. If, like me, you think Australian wines cloying and heavy, disabuse yourself with 2004 Two Hands Brave Faces, a syrah/grenache blend sold in the high twenties at Big Red. The producer calls this very lightly oaked wine, with lots of red fruits and anise, the "whore" in his line-up. This wine is no more plausible as a hooker than was Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.