I don't know that all much about Italian politics, but I am sure there are plenty of reds in Tuscany.

Concannon from Livermore Ca do excellent Rhone and Italian wines. At least they did a few years back and I doubt things have changed that much.

Can't help you. The height of sophistication for me is whether a bottle of wine has:

1. a cork, and
2. a year on the label.

Other than that, it's all the same to me...

My favourite "Italian" wine is actually from Sardinia. It's from a winery called Arigolas, and it's called Turriga. The 1997 is still available in many wine stores and it's worth every damn penny of the approximately $40 cost.

Other really good Italian wines include the reliable Ruffino Gold Label Chianto Classico Riserva and the surprisingly affordable Stefano Farina Barolo, which if you ahve to pick a year I'd probably go with 1998, but tastes vary.

By next year, however, the high-end 2000 Barolos should be reaching the stores, and it's supposed to be for Italian wine what the 2000 vintage was for Bordeaux, but better.

-Michael

1997 Costello di Nipozzano, Marchesi de' Frescobaldi -- Riserva Chianti Rufina.

(Vintner's no relation to me...at least not that I know of.)

Good bargain, too.

But if you want to drop some coin, you can't go wrong with a Brunello di Montalcino. Mmmmm.

Bertani Amarone - can't go wrong. Had an '85 (I think) once that was one of those great "epiphany" moments in wine drinking...

Amen on the Bertani Amarone. It's like a mouthful of cherries. Try the mid '60's if you can find them.

For some of the best Tuscans:

Argiano Solengo (2k's are delightful)
Tenuta di Trinoro Palazzi 1998
Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi, 1999

Also:

Brovia Rocche (early 90's)
Aldo Conterno Cicala (80's, 90's)
Giovanni Corino Vigna Giachini (90's)
Scarpa Tettimorra (early 80's)

And, if you're looking for an exceptional Chianti...

Rentennano Percarlo, 1997.

Mr. Lion is rather fond of Italian Reds, be they wine, cars, or women. Rowr.

1997 was an excellent year for Tuscan Amarones, too.

I actually have quite a few Châteauneuf du Pape's in what I jokingly call my cellar, bought before the recent unpleasantness with the French.

My father picked up a CASE of 1983 after a local liquor store changed hands, and sold it to him at $8 a bottle since they were all so dusty. (cough)

Anything by Antinori is generally v. good. Their Chianti Classico Riserva 2000 is lovely, IMHO. Other good Tuscan producers off the top of my head are Frescobaldi - their Marchesi de Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino Castel Giocondo 1998 is superb-, also Trambusti, Volpaia and Prunatelli.
Then there's the super-Tuscans, but you can be paying super prices too.

I'd second the people above who recommend trying out the Veneto wine Amarone della Valpolicella. Tedeschi 1999 is a goodie, Musella 1998 even better.

I'd also recommend checking out some Spanish wines as well; some Rioja Reservas are among the loveliest things I've ever drunk.

I'd say both Italy and Spain can beat France on value for money on quality wine these days.

Tuscan Reds are fine but don't forget the Piedmont and Barbaresco. I haven't had a bad one yet. You can find early 90's vintage of the DOCG for $30, if you are looking for a particular Cru Rabaja is well thought of. I have had a lovely Pora and Montefico. Try one you owe it to yourself.

Go with the big names if you want to feel safe, and get something that is aged. While Tuscan reds are good to great on release, they get heavenly with after a decade.

Sorry. Can't help you on the wine, but I can recommend a decent Tuscan restaurant in the Dallas suburbs.

I recommend Amarone--its made from grapes that have been left to dry on the vines a bit before picking

There are many good Amarones, but I would recommend Serego Alighieri made from grapes grown on the estate where Dante wrote the Divine Comedy. How cool is that?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/03/13/WI12510.DTL