"italian wine" news and stories

Everybody raves over Two-Buck Chuck, the sub-three-dollar Trader's Joe's wine made by Charles Shaw.

What they don't rave over-- but should -- is Il Valore Primitivo, a wine from the Puglia region of Italy (the "heel "of the "boot," geographically speaking). It's made from red Zinfandel grapes, and it's perfect with Italian food (naturally) but would work well with any grilled red meats. And quite frankly, it has a depth and complexity that one expects from Zinfandels in the $10 to $15 range.

The price? That's the best part. At the TJ's in Northern Virginia where I make pilgrimages once every six weeks, it's selling for $4.99.

So why spend money on Charles Shaw when you could have a real wine for five dollars? I'll admit, Il Valore Primitivo doesn't have a catchy nickname ("Five Bill Il" was the best I could come up with), but dollar-for-dollar, it's more bang for the buck than Chuck.

• A recipe for the perfect Chicken Burrito in a Crisp Tortilla. The subheading is "How to keep those burrito-loving teenagers close to home." Which I find hysterical for some reason.
• A guide to some great southern Italian wines for under $10.
• Speaking of Italy, where does the freshest mozzarella come from, Italy or Vermont?
• More wine news, this time from France: it's now legal for winemakers to flavor their wines using wood chips.

"It tastes like bacon," my husband said, sniffing the dark red wine. He was bringing the first glass of a bottle I'd just brought home from the Italian market. The reason I'd selected it: it looked nice and meaty, and it was cheap. $6.99.

I laughed. He's such a silly guy, that husband of mine.

I took a sip. Ohmigod. It tasted like bacon.

It was salty, rich, and pork-flavored. And it was delicious. If you have a chance to try it, I highly recommend this bottle: the 2004 Vila Bonarda. It's especially delicious with prosciutto, goat cheese, cured olives. And bacon.