Wine of the Week

Isole e Olena, located in Barberino Val d’Elsa, is one of the few Chianti Classico producers whose normale (as opposed to riserva) bottling is fairly priced. This one floods your palate with fresh, juicy fruit flavors of plums and cherries. Its bright acidity and earthy, dry finish make it an ideal food wine, particularly with roasted or grilled meats. You couldn’t ask more from a Chianti at this price. It’s hard to stop drinking it, in fact.

About $15. Available at Beverage Warehouse in Marina del Rey, (310) 306-2822; Beverly Glen Market in Los Angeles, (310) 475-0829; Topline Wine & Spirits in Glendale, (818) 500-9670; Pasadena Wine Merchants in Pasadena, (626) 396-9234; and Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, among others.

S. Irene Virbila