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Daily Wine | My Wine Reviews

2021 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva [Rating: 4.5/5 | $28]

Tasted on November 29, 2025. #DailyWine #dnardi #Wine #WineLovers #Sangiovese #Tuscany #ChiantiClassico #Chianti #CastelloDiMonsanto #ValueWine Dry red wine, 14% alcohol. Medium-dark, garnet color. Medium-high intensity nose, dominated by plums, blackberry, and floral notes. Medium to full body, thick texture, concentrated, and a finish that goes on for minutes. This is a denser chianti than usual,…

2023 Pievalta “Tre Ripe” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore [Rating: 3.5/5 | $17]

Tasted on November 19, 2025. #DailyWine #dnardi #Wine #WineLover #Verdicchio #VerdicchioDeiCastelliDiJesi #Jesi #Pievalta Dry white wine, 13% alcohol. Very pale, lemon color. Medium intensity nose, showing mineral, sodium, whif of paint, rubber, and some apricot. Mid-light body, good concentration and freshness, with a round mouthfeel. The minerality and saltiness is present even in the palate.…

2019 Mastroberardino “Radici” Taurasi [Rating: 4/5 | $37]

Tasted on November 9, 2025. #DailyWine #dnardi #Wine #WineLovers #Aglianico #Campania #Taurasi #Mastroberardino #Radici #RadiciTaurasi Dry red wine, 13.5% alcohol. Medium-high opacity, with pomegranate rims. Medium-high intensity nose, filled with plums, blackberries, and hints of vanilla with tobacco. Medium-full body, with a vibrant acidity, ripe tannins, and a good concentration. I have seldom had a…

2023 Ponce “La Xara” Garnacha Manchuela [Rating: 4.5/5 | $13]

Tasted on November 1, 2025. #DailyWine #dnardi #Wine #WineLovers #Garnacha #Grenache #BodegasPonce #LaXara #ValueWine Dry red wine, 13.5% alcohol. Medium opacity, garnet color. Medium-high intensity nose, very floral, with apple and spices (nutmeg). Very aromatic. This wine has a concentration and depth of flavor that I haven’t seen in a wine of this price range…

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I am not a sommelier and I have no formal training in the wine business. I have learned about wine by reading, visiting wineries, doing blind tastings, and mostly by trying lots of wines. I have been drinking wine critically (i.e., tasting and taking notes) since 2006, when I bought my first wine book that introduced me to this beautiful hobby.

My view on wine

Following the European tradition, wine goes with food, and food goes with wine. For this reason, what I seek in wine is elegance, freshness, smooth mouthfeel, and balance among acidity, tannins, alcohol, aromas, and residual sugar. I do not like wines that are high in alcohol, oak, and over-the-top fruity; these types of wines are more like cocktails, and they don’t accompany food very well.

Unlike cocktails, wine is linked to a vineyard and a land. It cannot be replicated identically everywhere. Each wine, even if made from the same type of grape, is different. This is what is referred to as sense of territory (terroire).

I specialize in Italian wine. This is because Italy has a huge wine tradition and a rich variety of amazing and unique wines. It is also because of my background that led me to taste more wines from Italy than other places.

My reviews | Daily Wine

I call this blog “Daily Wine” because I believe that wine should not be something just for special occasions; it can be part of everyday meals. For this reason, I focus on inexpensive wines that do not break the bank while still delivering plenty of pleasure and excitement.

Most of the wines I review will cost less than $25 retail price, although sometimes I will review more expensive wines. The wines I tend to review are purchased from online retailers that deliver in the entire US (they are not easily found in stores in the United States). To find these wines, a good search engine is www.wine-searcher.com. The prices that I list represent what I paid when purchasing them.

I give scores on a 5-point scale. The parameters I use are balance, intensity, length, and complexity.

5/5 = an exceptional wine.

4/5 = a very good wine; one that I strongly recommend.

3/5 = a pleasant wine.

I only review wines that, for one reason or another, excite me.

Cheers!

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