Sono Montenidoli "Il Garrulo" 2021 Chianti Colli Senesi

750ml bottle

12.5% abv

Grapes: Sangiovese, Trebbiano

This fresh, vibrant Chianti is a low-intervention take on the style once required in the region, where a portion of white varieties are fermented with the reds. Red-fruited, wonderfully aromatic, and free of oak influence.

Named after a pesky local bird and the sound of chirping chit-chat with friends, this red blended from local Tuscan varieties is full of bright, ripe cherries and finishes with a rustic earthiness that rounds out the flavors. It goes especially well with classic Italian tomato-based dishes, as well as with spicy foods.

In the sea of Chianti, the sub-$30 category stokes fear of straw-wrapped bottles destined to be table-top candle holders. Hopefully, this will dispel those notions and introduce you to a wine that might have been overlooked. Elisabetta Fagiuoli has been dedicated to the soil of Montenidoli since she found it abandoned in 1965. Her commitment to the soil and organic winemaking practices gives her wines a complexity and finesse. “Il Garrulo” is a perfect wine for those seeking a food-friendly, crowd-pleasing option. Its fresh notes of sour cherry and herbaceous tomato leaf lead into a pleasant tannic grip. On a cold and rainy night, a glass of this traditional Chianti blend and a plate of pasta pomodoro is exactly what the doctor ordered.

- MHG