With 12% alcohol, the 1975 Verrazzano Chianti Classico held up for 40 years and scored 17+ Dionysian points out of 20. It cost, back then, $3.95.
This wine is made as it was in 1485 when Verrazzano was born at Greve inTuscany’s Chianti region.
After decanting, leather and spicy dried fruit rose to the nose. It was soft as silk and paired well with dinner. Unless you age some wines, you’ll never know how exciting the additional complexity can be. Back then, the wine was a blend of three red grapes and even had some white wine added to it. It made a Tuesday dinner a unique experience.
A basic veggie burger on a very thick slice of Jersey tomato with green and yellow string beans and salad permitted the 40 year old wine to take the limelight and be the feature of the evening.
Verrazzano discovered North America. He has a long bridge named after him in North Jersey and lots of Italian restaurants near by. In vino veritas.
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