Three best buys produced in Italy

These well-priced bottles include a Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigio and a Chianti

Today’s value discoveries all hail from Italy, home to great modern wine bargains as well as ancient Tuscan treasures.

Our best buy of the week is Farnese Pinot Grigio, a delicious white from the Abruzzo region in the south, where long sunny days also produce many amazing value reds. At under $10, it’s worth a try.

Travelling north we encounter our elegant dining wine choice, the Gabbiano Chianti from Tuscany. It is warm and dense with black fruits finesse, and tons of elegance. It’s perfect for sharing with weekend guests.

And brand new to stores is the Lagaria Chardonnay from the Alpine Dolomites area of Trentino. This is cool climate chard, which sees a kiss of oak aging and lees stirring, yet maintains its fresh fruitiness.

Enjoy! stimmell@sympatico.ca

Farnese Fantini 2014 Pinot Grigio, $9.95 (Italy) A terrific value sipper for spring. Cantaloupe, white flower and pear aromas, with saucy pear, spicy apples, lime and lemongrass delivery. LCBO #391631 Food: Cheeses or fish dishes Rating: 89

Gabbiano 2013 Chianti Classico, $16.95 (Italy) Lovely vanilla-laced black cherry, violets and cedar in the nose, with a dense delivery of plum, black cherry, licorice and vanilla flavours. LCBO #219808 Food: Beef or lamb lasagna. Rating: 90+

Lagaria Chardonnay Vigneti Delle Dolomiti 2013 Chardonnay, $13.55 (Italy) Juicy melon, lime and pear aromas meld into fresh pear and bright citrus flavours. A new delight from the northern Trentino region. LCBO #404483 Food: Chicken in creamy pasta....