This post was sponsored by Italian Wines USA. All opinions my own.
I love wine, but I admit to being a bargain hunter when I buy it—unless it’s a special occasion. For example, I’m always excited when I get to travel to a new locale because that means experiencing it through special food and wine. But as I’ve traveled more, it’s become clearer to me that life is too short not to treat yourself regularly. After all, isn’t life kind of a special occasion in itself?
So if you’re looking to live la dolce vita and upgrade your usual wine for something more special, pick up a bottle of Italian wine next time you shop. I’ve realized lately that I get more enjoyment from bottles that are no less than $12—with that little extra investment there’s definitely a jump in quality. Italian wines offer incredible value and quality between $15-25, and the two-buck chuck will still be there for another time. 🙂
I took my own advice this past weekend. In preparation for a looming snowstorm where I live, I headed out to pick up a few snowstorm essentials, including a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese from Tuscany, one of Italy’s 20 wine regions. I picked a Tuscan wine because I’ve always wanted to visit Tuscany since seeing the movie Under the Tuscan Sun years ago. Gotta love Diane Lane!
I felt a little guilty putting together such a nice looking cheese plate for just me, but I’m taking my own advice and treating little moments—like being snowed in—as if they were special occasions.
I poured myself a glass of the Cabernet-Sangiovese Italian wine, sliced and toasted some baguette with olive oil and herbs. I set out some cajun cheese curds, gorgonzola, smoked gouda, and aged cheddar. And I sat down for a super chill night in with the new puzzle I got for Christmas.
The wine was absolutely delicious. It had deep, complex flavors that I’ve really been missing out on with my usual wine purchases. I did a little research into Tuscan wines and learned a few interesting facts. Apparently, there’s a kind of wine known as “Super Tuscan”!
A Super Tuscan wine is a red blend made with grapes grown in Tuscany but that are not indigenous to Italy. It can include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and/or Cabernet Franc grapes. Actually, I think that means the wine I picked out is a Super Tuscan. Cool huh?
How to Find a Super Tuscan Italian Wine
To find a Super Tuscan, there are a couple of things you can look for on the label. It will say Toscana, meaning it’s from Tuscany, and will say Indicazione Geografica Tipica underneath that. Also, a Super Tuscan wine will usually have a special name, rather than saying what kind of grapes it’s made from.
It was fun treating myself to a night in with a bottle of Italian wine. From now on, I won’t feel guilty about opening a bottle like this when it’s not a typical “special occasion”!
To learn more about Italian wines, visit the official Italian Wine website here!
