13 Celsius is a great place to explore wines with their wide-ranging and very well-selected wines by the glass, some quite inexpensive. A current one is Antico Colle Chianti for just $6. Dry, medium-bodied with pleasant plum and dried cherry notes, this a straightforward Chianti with the expected level of acidity that is not complex; structured and, nicely, something more than simple. The familiar Sangiovese-based flavors of Tuscany are most prominent, but it’s backed up with 10% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. After ordering from a newly opened bottle, you’ll want to swirl this in your glass for a while, as it can ten- to fifteen minutes to properly open up.
This is the type of wine to purchase by the case to accompany meals at home for its food-friendliness and overall quality and value. There are probably not too many better wines available at Houston restaurants or bars for $6 now.
The Antico Colle Chianti is more fully Antico Colle Chianti Colli Senesi, which can be good to know, and a reason why this wine is so enjoyable. Everyone is familiar with Chianti, Italy’s most famous wine region, the home of the county’s most well-known red wine name. And most frequent Italian restaurant-goers might recognize the emblem of the black rooster that adorns the bottles of Chianti Classico, the area that begat Chianti back in the 1700s. Since 1932, Chianti has officially adorned wines grown well beyond the borders of the Chianti Classico appellation. Today, there are seven subzones within Chianti, with Chianti Classico being something separate.
One of these is Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti from the hills around Siena, which might be the best after Chianti Classico. This subzone is actually three areas, one around the appellations of San Gimignano, another around Montepulciano – home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – and the southernmost, covering the areas of Brunello di Montalcino. Wines from the Chianti Colli Senesi subzone can be great to chance upon, because these wines are often very similar to the well-regarded wines of Rosso di Montalcino or Rosso di Montepulciano that are the younger, lighter versions of their richer, more serious winery brethren. Antico Colle Chianti is one such wine, and worthy of a try for $6 at 13 Celsius, if you enjoy Chianti or Italian wines in general.
13 Celsius
3000 Caroline (north of Elgin), 77004, (713) 529-8466
13celsius.com
This is the type of wine to purchase by the case to accompany meals at home for its food-friendliness and overall quality and value. There are probably not too many better wines available at Houston restaurants or bars for $6 now.
The Antico Colle Chianti is more fully Antico Colle Chianti Colli Senesi, which can be good to know, and a reason why this wine is so enjoyable. Everyone is familiar with Chianti, Italy’s most famous wine region, the home of the county’s most well-known red wine name. And most frequent Italian restaurant-goers might recognize the emblem of the black rooster that adorns the bottles of Chianti Classico, the area that begat Chianti back in the 1700s. Since 1932, Chianti has officially adorned wines grown well beyond the borders of the Chianti Classico appellation. Today, there are seven subzones within Chianti, with Chianti Classico being something separate.
One of these is Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti from the hills around Siena, which might be the best after Chianti Classico. This subzone is actually three areas, one around the appellations of San Gimignano, another around Montepulciano – home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – and the southernmost, covering the areas of Brunello di Montalcino. Wines from the Chianti Colli Senesi subzone can be great to chance upon, because these wines are often very similar to the well-regarded wines of Rosso di Montalcino or Rosso di Montepulciano that are the younger, lighter versions of their richer, more serious winery brethren. Antico Colle Chianti is one such wine, and worthy of a try for $6 at 13 Celsius, if you enjoy Chianti or Italian wines in general.
13 Celsius
3000 Caroline (north of Elgin), 77004, (713) 529-8466
13celsius.com
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