1997 Farnesi Castelvecchio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

(About $8)

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is not to be confused with the better-known Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from the town of the same name in Tuscany. This one is a rustic, deep red wine from the grape called Montepulciano. It comes from central Italy, specifically in the Abruzzi just east of Rome on the Adriatric Sea. Because the region is so little known, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo offers great value for its modest price. Farnesi’s 1997 Castelvecchio is a ripe, juicy red wine that goes down very easily. Meant more for quaffing than for trading adjectives across the table, in a perfect world this is the kind of appealing, drinkable red you’d hope to find on every trattoria table. It’s an ideal wine for pasta or grilled sausages. Drink it with your burgers, too. It goes with just about anything.

Available at fine wine shops. If you can’t find this wine, ask your local store to order it from the distributor, Young’s Market, (800) 627-2777.