Drink and be merry

Holiday Cheer

MandraRossa Nero d'Avola
Sicily, 2006
$11
Intense red

Nero d'Avola grapes make wines ideal for drinking with rich Italian dishes, so this peppery swashbuckler would be great with a cheese plate and some hearty artichoke dip.  The taste is warm, ruddy and astringent, with undertones of prunes. It's best drunk with food. Alone, it's a bit of a mouthful.