Thank you Post Road Liquors for recommending such a beautiful and “classic” Italian red wine. I was particularly delighted to see a Chianti as the latest wine pick, as I had a great dish to pair it with and was excited to travel back to Tuscany via a portal of a glass of the gorgeous Monsanto 2014 Chianti Classico. 

***Don’t forget, head into any of the four wine and liquor store outposts and receive 20% off the weekly wine picks!***

Monsanto 2014 Chianti Classico

COST – $24.99

GRAPE – 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino.

COUNTRY – Italy

REGION – Tuscany

POST ROAD’S DESCRIPTION – Medium bodied with bright acidity. Excelling value in Chianti. Reveals sour cherry with time in the glass.

TASTING NOTES – The 2014 vintage shows a ruby red color tending towards garnet. Rich, intense and complex nose with notes of black cherry and spice. Full bodied with rich red berry fruit flavors complimenting a backbone of tannin.

TALES FROM A TASTING

My fondness for Chianti dates back to September of 2003 when I first visited Italy with a few of my college housemates. Newly married, at the age 26, I had barely just broken out of my chrysalis and spread my still wet adult wings. There I landed in glorious Tuscany, viewing landscapes I previously thought only existed in photographs. Rolling hillsides, olive groves, vineyards, and elegant Cyprus trees blended into an impressionist’s dream. I purchased the painting pictured behind me and this handsome bottle of wine in Florence. I love looking at that painting and reminiscing about that time of my life. I loved it even more when sipping on an actual glass of Chianti; talk about sensory memory. I was immediately transported back to a time of exploration and new experiences.

We spent a total of 11 days touring Tuscan cities like Florence, Siena, Montepulciano, and Cortona. Lazy, large meals were the highlight of each excursion. We became accustomed to a bottle of Chianti in the traditional wicker basket as the centerpiece of every table, as seen in this picture from our villa.

This wasn’t the first time I had tasted Chianti, but it was the first time I had experienced it. A healthy red wine that grew even more comfortable with every sip, we came to accept and expect this new “table wine” at every dinner. But, the Chianti and wine drinking wasn’t just confined to the just table. We’d make frequent little breaks during our sightseeing trips to standing wine bars, sampling all of the local goodness.

The bottle of Monsanto 2014 Chianti Classico brought me back to that trip. Being a “Classico,” the Chianti must be at least 80% Sangiovese grapes and aged for at least ten months. With a classico, one expects a certain level of quality. Post Road Liquors delivered that quality with this fantastic and robust Chianti recommendation.

Another great thing about Chianti is that it is not only friendly on the palate, but also in pairing with foods. I whipped up a lamb chop recipe to pair with the Monsanto 2014 Chianti Classico.

But, in all honesty, this stuff would go perfectly with a grilled cheese or just simply staring at a painting of an Italian Piazza.

My point is that this wine is authentic. If you want a true Chianti that you can sip and enjoy with a sunset or pour to pair with a dinner, then try opening a bottle of Monsanto 2014 Chianti Classico .

MENTION THE HAUTE LIFE AT ANY ONE OF THE FOUR STORES AND RECEIVE 20% OFF ANY OF THE WEEKLY WINE PICKS!!!!

Thank you to Post Road Liquors, 44 Boston Post Road Wayland, MA, for recommending the Monsanto 2014 Chianti Classico as well as for their expertise!

Stop in to experience the first class service and selection. You can also find the same excellent services at their other locations, as follows:

Upper Falls Liquors
150 Needham Street
Newton, MA 02462
(617) 969-9200

 Needham Wine & Spirits
1257 Highland Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 449-1171

Auburndale Wine & Spirit
2102 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02466
(617) 244-2772

TOODLES! Come back next Wednesday!