"So uh... Gabbiano... you're a... uh... a Chianti?"
"Yes."
So wait... where's your squat little round bottle in the straw basket?"
"Really? What century is this... neanderthal! Look... I don't have to wear a straw basket just because your oppressive regime says I do... I burned my straw last night. In fact, me and the other bottles all had a good straw-burning party. What do you think about that... oppressor!"
"Uh.... yeah... so sorry about all that straw. You don't have to wear straw to be beautiful. It's okay baby. You don't even have to be in a squat little round bottle... I know what you have on the inside... I know... Gabba gabba I accept you"
Okay that was weird.
SO Gabbiano - in the Chianti region of Italy has one of the most widely available budget reds out there. You can find the 2008 Chianti by this house in most super-markets. I think I picked it up at Wal Mart... classy.
Chianti is - you guessed it - a blend and it is named after the area in northern Italy where the raw materials (grapes) are grown. Speaking of grapes, Baron Bettino Ricasoli (some Italian dude about 150 years ago) created the original Chianti recipe of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia bianca grapes.
Back to Gabbiano - At 9 bucks, it's a Chianti well within the rest of our price range and is composed of around 90% Sangiovese grapes with (at least in the '07 vintage) the addition of Canaiolo and Colorino grapes.
The nose reeks heavily of alcohol – surprisingly strong for its 12.5% alcohol content. Actually it smells a bit isopropyl – not great whiffage. There is also some heavy oak, and walnut going on. As it opens up dark fruit scents do come through.
The sip is very dry, but light - not at all full bodied. Nothing too exciting really happens on the palate. There is a nice tart, crisp quality and a pucker effect - like a cherry jolly rancher just sidled up to your tongue. Not a bad pizza wine.
CONCLUSION:
Not bad - not great.
3 of 5 glasses
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