The Gentle Giants, as it translates to English, is just that.

While this wine is from Tuscany and it tastes very Italian, it is interesting that it is comprised of zero sangiovese grapes. It is actually a Cab-Merlot blend with thirty percent Alicante Bouschet mixed in. What is that? Well, it is a grape that is a cross of Petit Bouschet and Grenache. ¹  The Alicante Bouschet lends a deep red hardiness to the blend.

In a similar fashion to France and Spain, Italy’s wine laws assign classifications to wine growing regions. They are broken out into four groups:

DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

DOC   – Denominazione di Origine Controllata

IGT     – Indicazione Geografica Tipica

Table Wines – Vini da tavola

 

I Giganti Buoni comes from an IGT part of Tuscany, or you may see it as Tuscana, which is what the Italians call the region. While these wine growing areas were classified to be able to give the market an indication as to the quality of the wines, there are many high-end Super Tuscans – wines that come from Tuscany but are not classified as either coming from a DOC or DOCG region nor having the designated blending parameters of Chianti. And for many years prior to the IGT designation, were table wines with very heft price tags.

I Giganti Buoni is a great complement to Italian classic casseroles and marinara based pasta dishes and pizza. It’s also got the body and tannins to work with chile and burgers. It’s not quite as versatile as a lighter bodied Chianti, but it still goes great with much of the same food with which you would pair a Chianti.  I have been fortunate enough to find this gem at Goody Goody for $8.99 or at times even less!

 

Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Alicante Bouschet (30%), Merlot (20%)

Producer: Tenuta Monteti SRI, Capalbio, Italy (www.misaimports.com)

Appellation: Tuscany, Italy (Indicazione Geografica Tipica – IGT)

Appearance: Deep red – full bodied.

Aroma: Moderately aromatic. I pick up hints of cocoa, leather and cigar box as well as slight rose-y nuances.

Taste: Undoubtedly Italian. Black cherries and touches of vanilla complemented by an old-world smooth, but mineral-toned finish.

1. Alicante Henri Bouschet,Vitis International Variety Catalogue.