You recognize the bottle by the piece of vine that is incorporated. My shot of the label is so blurry, it does not really help.
Just a short tasting note today. We are in full preparation mode for our Germany trip and expecting a visitor this weekend.
Last night, we were invited over to friends and brought this bottle of wine. I had picked it up a while back, and had read a great review HERE! somewhere, cannot find it anymore. If it was you, give me a sign and the link and I will enter it here. The dinner was spaghetti with a pancetta, roast red peppers and chili sauce with parsley, so I figured this wine should be working well with it.
The nose was quite appealing, no distinguishable notes for me. Directly after opening, the wine was still somewhat unbalanced, and I noticed some sauerkraut notes (seriously!). It was not unpleasant, but definitely surprising. After half an hour the wine had opened up to a really appealing fruity wine. With strawberry jam in the nose, and a round, balanced acid-flavor structure on the palate. Combined with the chili in the dish, the wine’s peppery notes raced over my tongue.
We finished the night with some bourbon (Hirsch and Five Roses) and called it a day. For about $12, I think this is a decent enough wine.
the winegetter 
Congrats for this delicious dinner. You chose a great wine for your dishes.
[…] 2009 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo […]
The 2009 of this wine is atrocious! It’s bretty with a 1% RS. Gross. The 2007 vintage was clean and dry, but this stuff is a badly made wine.
Hmmm, I definitely was not as turned off as you were. But I also don’t have the 2007 comparison. Thanks for your take.
I am glad you liked this wine! I think you are referring to your comment on my March 28,2012 post ” Red Red Wine”. Have great and safe trip.
Yes, that was it!! Linking to it now.
I’ve had this wine, and really like it for its crisp acidity. It’s great with sausage or other fatty meats.
I totally agree, the acidity definitely gives this one a great touch. It just played off the fatty richness of the pancetta.