VITICCIO Chianti Classico 2007

This weeks wine choice was another that I received from my beautiful wife for my birthday in hopes that I would get started on this blog.  I just want to point out that I will most likely not write about wines that are this tasty as they are a little out of the "cheap" category (I'm spoiled).  There's no defined price range that I have set myself to, but I am as frugal as they come and don't usually spend more than $10 for a bottle of wine.  As soon as I think that I am at the stage to truly understand a higher quality I'm sure I will up my range, however I'm sure I will never lose the need to find a great bottle at an everyday affordable price.

I'm not going to go to in depth with the review of this wine as it is probably too sophisticated for my untrained palate.  I've read some reviews lately speaking about smokey notes, hints of cinnamon, traces of vanilla and earthy finish...and that's all in one bottle, sometimes even before a sip is taken.  I still have a ways to go before I am at that level and I'm not going to even attempt at this point, however it does give me some motivation to get some real training on wine tasting.  I will tell you that I did notice some hints of blackberries...or were those cherries hmmm.  It was very bold and had a wonderful smooth finish, that left me wanted more.  This particular bottle had those nice Oak tannins that I love to read about and I want to say that it was smokey.

As you may see in the picture this week was very special and fun.  On March 27, 2010, an estimated one billion people around the world came together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for just one hour—Earth Hour.  I decided to make the most of this hour and used it to pop the cork on this wine that I have really been looking forward to trying, so Natascia and I lit some candles and enjoyed a nice glass of Chianti with no distractions so we could discuss the different flavors and pretend we knew a thing or two about wine.  This one hour was so nice that I think I am going to start a tradition of trying a new kind of wine every time the power goes out, I now will start to look forward to storms.  However if no storms come your way to force you to do this and if you don't want to wait till the next earth hour, I strongly suggest that you turn off all the lights, the TV, this silly computer that you are sitting at now and enjoy a nice glass of wine, you won't regret it!