2008 La Borgata Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy

About This Wine

The wines of La Borgata are crafted for impatient people.

But even those with the patience of a Chicago Cubs fan will enjoy them because, stylistically, they are among the most approachable wines made on planet Earth. In developing the La Borgata line, Italy’s Casa Girelli had some very specific characteristics in mind.

First and foremost, La Borgata wines are soft, fruitful and in perfect balance. And in the case of the red wines — such as the featured Montepulciano a’Abruzzo — they are envisioned as round, velvety and smooth, exhibiting bright fruit flavors without being too high in alcohol or possessing overbearing tannins.

When those goals are achieved, so is another: There is no need to age the wine for years in the cellar; it is ready to be consumed and enjoyed upon release. That’s certainly the case with the 2008 Montepulciano, a nicely textured wine that you can savor with dinner... tonight.

About Other Red

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:100% Montepulciano
• Grape Source:Abruzzo Growing Region of Italy
• Aromas & Flavors:Black Cherry, Smoke, Cedar, Warm Spices, Blackberry, Cocoa, Licorice and Cedar
• Aging Vessels:50% French and American Oak Barrels and 50% Stainless Steel Tanks
• When to Drink:Now Through 2014
• Food Pairing Suggestionpasta with a moderately spicy sauce.

Member Ratings

Recipes.

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  Ratatouille Terrine Here's a recipe for a tasty dish that has a movie named after it this summer. The Chicago Tribune calls it "an upscale version of the French peasant dish," and we'd suggest serving it with almost any wine - white, red, pink or sparkling - as long as the wine is light-bodied. This recipe yields 12 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Maytag Bleu T Bone Steaks We decided to tap the "Born to Grill" cookbook for this amazingly flavorful recipe for the summer. It serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Beef Roast With Winter Fruit This recipe is ideal for the chilly evenings of winter, and matches beautifully with Cabernet Sauvignon or red Bordeaux. It makes 12 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Quick And Easy Fagole And Escarole We tried this recipe and loved it - for three reasons: 1. it tastes great; 2. it's good for you; and 3. it matches beautifully with either white or red wine! We suggest serving it with French or Italian bread... Get The Recipe
  

  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe
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  Butternut Squash Soup From Executive Chef Linda Kittler of Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon Winery comes this delicious recipe that pairs perfectly with Syrah/Shiraz, as well as various red blends. It serves 10. Get The Recipe
  

  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Down Island Burgers With Mango Mayo And Grilled Onions Each year, Sutter Home Winery conducts a "Build a Better Burger" recipe contest, and this year's winner was Julie DeMatteo, a retired school teacher from Clementon, New Jersey. We tried her recipe with a Rose, and the match was perfect. It also matches well with a wide array of red wines, and makes 4 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Marinated London Broil This dish, the centerpiece of a sit-down dinner, matches beautifully with Zinfandel or other fruity red wines. Get The Recipe
  

  Pinot Noir Sauce Try this flavorful sauce over lamb or prime rib, and serve with Pinot Noir, Malbec or a red blend... Get The Recipe
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  Garden Tomato Pasta With Wine And Basil Try this tasty recipe with either featured red wine selection with Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel or red blends. It makes 8 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Tomato Pesto Pasta A wonderful match with Cabernet Sauvignon, this recipe helps bring out the fruitful quality of the wine. It also matches nicely with other red wines, and serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Gables Blue Cheese Potatoes When you're serving a thick, juicy steak and drinking a big, bold red wine, this dish makes a wonderful companion. It was made famous by The Gables restaurant in Corvallis, Ore., and this recipe makes 8 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Pork Tenderloin With Tart Cherry Port And Caraway Sauce This delicious recipe from Sonoma County's J. Fritz Winery matches beautifully with almost any red wine. It makes 4 to 6 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Pan Fried Lamb Chops This recipe, which makes 4 servings, features flavors that can be enjoyed with virtually any red wine. Turn it into a complete meal with a side dish jasmine rice. Get The Recipe