Table Wine, Vino da Tavola….
Italian wines imported to north America are not usually cheap, certainly not good ones. This is also true here in Italy. The high value of the Euro vs. the Dollar is one reason, but even without that, well-known wines can be quite costly here. There is not really a decent Brunello di Montalcino to be found in Siena for less than 24 Euros, about $30.00 US, and up (way up). Lower cost Chiantis and generic Sangiovese reds can be much less, but quite variable in quality. One little known option is to ask at the local deli for Vino da Tavola, table wine. Not all delis have this – but it is worth asking. If they sell wine this way, the clerk will disappear into the back room and return a few moments later. You will take home a liter of very drinkable red in a screw top bottle for about 3.00 Euros. “Una bottiglia di vino da tavola con tappo per favore….”
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Hi – this is Keith Chambers. Here you’ll find posts from and about Italy, as experienced and thought about by me, and my wife Anne. We have lived and worked in Italy on several occasions, including five months in 2004, and another 4-5 months in 2007, when we lived and taught in Siena. We plan another exploration, and some walks in the countryside, later in 2010. Hope you enjoy our sharing here some of the Italian places, people and experiences we’ve found novel, beautiful and just plain interesting. You’ll also find tips here for enjoying Italy when you visit. Stay tuned….
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(background: cultural anthropologist, as is my wife, like to travel, explore, walk and backpack)
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- Discover these! Little known Italian Red Wines
- Table Wine, Vino da Tavola….
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When you return I want to have a Wine Tasting to test my hypothesis that there’s little relationship between preference and cost *as long as the tasting is blind*. So consider bringing home a few or your favorites and we’ll have a party.
Ciao,
Loved reading your blog. My sister’s an ex-pat the past 20+ years living in and loving Siena. Sadly, I’ve only been three times in all those years. Still hoping one day to experience il Palio. Ma certo, so true about the vino di tavola. My brother-in-law has an incredible collection of italian wines in their private wine cellar, but for dinner and in general he goes to a local winery, fills up his huge jug, goes home and individually bottles (no label) his daily supply of red – in the garage!
Where did you teach last year?
I TRIED A WINE ONCE THAT WAS SUPERB AND CAN’T FIND. ON THE LABEL IT SAYS: CONTESINA 1984 (750 ML) “VINO DE TAVOLA-VINO ROSA, VAL LAGARINA.” DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS SOLD? THANKS
i tried a wine when in italty and con not find in u.s.a.1st was il giandino di albino ristorante,specialita sarde e nazionali sa prenda. 2nd castelli romani rosso la selva do you know where it is sold.
No, sorry – but you might try a Google or other web search for it, you may find a US distributor. In boca al lupo!