2000 Pertimali Rosso di Montalcino

Quick swirlRosso di Montalcino is the jazzy younger brother of Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy’s most distinguished reds. While Brunello must be aged for four years, Rosso, which is generally made from younger Sangiovese Grosso vines, is released after only one year. Fresh and light on its feet, it’s a terrific wine in its own right.

The 2000 Rosso from top Brunello estate Pertimali has an attractive scent of earth and black cherries and a beguiling balance of fruit to tannin. (In Italy, everyone is raving about the 2000 Brunellos; if this Rosso is any indication of the quality of the vintage, the Brunellos should fly off the shelves when they arrive two years down the road.)

Best of all, it’s inexpensive enough to adopt as your house wine.

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Region: Tuscany.

Price: About $19.

Style: fresh, juicy red from Sangiovese grapes.

Food it goes with: pasta with ragu, a burger, pork chops, turkey -- just about anything.

Where you’ll find it: Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463; Larchmont Village Wine & Cheese in Los Angeles, (323) 856-8699; Vintage Wines Ltd. in San Diego, (858) 549-2112; Wine Cask in Santa Barbara, (805) 966-9463; and Wine House in West L.A., (310) 479-3731.