Friuli Venezia..... Chianti Classico.....

Two interesting Italian wines at a dinner for five in a posh Italian restaurant in Tel-Aviv. I very rarely drink any Italian wine, so I would appreciate feedback from anyone familiar with these specific ones.

Friuli-Venezia (DOC)			1991	Tullio Zama

A charming white wine [no idea even what grape(s) are used]. Very fruity on the nose, reminded me of a combination of dry Riesling and Chardonnay (but probably none of them there < g >). A bit 'prickly' on the tongue, even developed tiny bubbles in the glass. No 'big' stuffing, but very pleasant on the palate, accompanying the various seafood soups and pastas. I guess it must be a pretty cheap wine, as it cost 'only' $33 at the restaurant.

Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)	1990	Villa Cafaggio

I am no Chianti expert, but from the times I had Chianti in the past I remember feeble-looking wines that may or may not be pleasant to drink, but do not leave great impression. Here was a serious looking wine, that was aerated into a decanter and stayed there almost an hour before we got to it. Good color, slightly paling towards the rim. Very pronounced strawberry nose engulfed by dusty and peppery notes. Good opened fruity taste but not very complex. A medium-light bodied wine, with good fruit and acidity, but not much tannins to carry it beyond this millennia. $55 at a Tel-Aviv restaurant probably puts this wine at the $10-$15 range elsewhere. If my price guess is correct, then not a bad wine altogether.

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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.