There are no shortages of grape varieties where Italian wine is concerned! I must admit though in this Zingari Tuscan IGT there is 25% Petit Verdot in addition to 25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Syrah. I can’t recall having Petit Verdot in an Italian red blend. Is it a stranger in the midst? It will often add some perfume and spice so is popular in some blended reds. It is a permitted grape in a red Bordeaux so it is not without pedigree. You will rarely see it as a single varietal wine. But in Tuscany!
Aroma: I suggest decanting the wine for 30 minutes as upon opening there is some funkiness which dissipates upon aeration of the wine. That spicy light cherry courtesy of Sangiovese. But there is also black cherry, red currant and some cactus pear. And a strange bit of freshly picked tomatoes. It strikes one as a nervous, thin and high-toned wine but if Twiggy was a knockout there is no reason why this wine should not follow.
Palate: You might call it piercing and light on its feet and thank goodness the piercing is not that of acidity although the acids are there. Having dabbled in Chilean reds of late this Tuscan takes some time to adjust too. Not every red wine need be thick, lush and plush. The tannins are verging on the moderate side. As for fruit the cherry is there with some spice and a bit of pepper. For a light on the heels wine the finish is long and spicy.
Personality: This writer refers to me as “light” but rest assured I am not flitty.
Food Match: When last in Tuscany years ago at our villa many a tomato salad, pecorino cheese, sliced meat and fresh bread we consumed with simple Tuscan wine while Tuscan boar stew demanded a richer Brunello. I would pair this wine with fresh local field tomatoes sliced, diced or whatever in a salad or a lightly cooked herbed vegetarian pasta sauce made with these local tomatoes.
Cellarbility: Will hold until the end of 2024 but will not improve with ageing.
Price: $20 (Ontario).
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 87/100. Jamessuckling.com 92.
(Zingari 2019 IGT Toscana, Soc. Agr. Petra San Lorenzo Alto-Suverto-Li, Italy, 750 mL, 13.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 224228).
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