The 1975, at 42 years-old, Verrazzano Chianti Classico had 12% alcohol, cost under $9 back then, and scored 19 Dionysian points of a possible 20! This Gold Medal wine was, after decanting, soft with a spicy smoky nose showing some tomato-sauce aromas.

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A superb food wine, this Chianti, made ion the older style with a blend of some white grapes in it, was holding itself well and could have sleep another five years.

Verrazzano, has a New York bridge named after him for discovering North America. Wine has ben made at his estate in Greve, Tuscany for about 500 years. They’ve got it right using traditional methods  for fermentation.

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I used an Italian Rose for the tomato salad, and the 1975 Chianti for the simple pasta dish. Rare great wines should be the feature of the evening, so always pair them with as basic a food as possible and spend time enjoying the complexities of the wine.

Try aging some  newly released Verrazzano Chianti Classico for at least a decade and you’ll be pleased.  In Vino Veritas.