Woman on Wine

By Amy Reiley

Vino!

Italian culture is sexy. Italians have a love for bodies, a lust for life and an unabashed sense of sensuality. Now, it probably could go without saying, but - big shocker here - Italian wine is also as sexy as Giada de Laurentiis at the beach on a sultry summer’s day. Here’s just a taste of some voluptuous little numbers from the tip to calf of the boot.
 
NV Bortolotti Prosecco
A flirty little number, this wine screams brunch, or breakfast, or just morning after sips. Although its peach flavor is a touch artificial, the wine is light and tinged with sweetness - perfect for a casual morning in bed.
 
2004 Cantine del Notaio Spumante Rose La Stipula
One of the most unusual bottles of bubbles I’ve ever had the pleasure to sip, the wine is pretty, girly, yet interesting and complex. Dare I say, it's liquid Life of Reiley!
 
2004 Cantine del Notaio Aglianico del Vulture La Firma
A dark and brooding wine, it is meaty, masculine, serious and commanding. A wine with structure and substance, it just may be the perfect mate to wild game (or wild games.)
 
2004 Podre Il Palazzino Grosso Sanese
A huge, brambly, blackberry kind of wine, its aromas come on strong and the presence in the mouth just gets stronger. It is still a little tight but shows great potential. It is one of those wines worth a little wait.
 
2004 Teunta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo
This thirst-quenching little number shows a bit of that Italian character I can only describe as damp stationary, but its bright fruit and long, caramel finish overshadow those hints of Xerox.
 
2004 Fattoria Le Terrazze Planet Waves
Bob Dylan in a bottle - no, I’m not making a strangely psychadelic analogy - the wine was the vision of Bob Dylan. Don’t believe me, check the bottle for the rock enophile’s John Hancock.