1999 Allegrini ‘La Grola’

In the Veneto area of northeast Italy, Allegrini has a long track record of making great Amarone and delicious Valpolicella. La Grola is this family estate’s most prized single vineyard. This wine grabs you with its soft, lovely bouquet of cherries and follows through with a taste of ripe dark fruit. It has a lush and velvety texture and smooth tannins. Immensely appealing and satisfying, La Grola is a wonderful red with food. You can drink it from the soup through the roasted meats or stews all the way through the cheese course.

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Region: Verona, Italy

Price: About $16

Style: Lush and quaffable

Food it goes with: Roasted meats, duck breast, daubes and stews, aged cheeses.

Where you find it: Wine Club in Santa Ana, (714) 835-6485; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454; Wine House in West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111.