Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 12:09:40 PM EST

A friend of mine is preparing to retire for the second or third (or fourth) time, and I want to get him just the right gift. He is a highly educated person (Harvard, no less), older (70's) and a modest, yet sophisticated, person.

justme :: Query for the Mice

I've pondered what to get him for a retirement gift for days now, until this morning when I suddenly remembered he once told me he relishes an evening glass of chianti. He's not a gourmet, but that gleam in his eye told me he really likes his chianti.

So, it's decided: I'm giving him a bottle of chianti. Not a hideously expensive bottle---he would hate that, besides which I can't afford it---but a goodly few measures above MD 20-20, if you know what I mean.

Unfortunately, I know nothing about chianti.

So I turn to you, fellow mice, knowing that your collective experience can help me determine exactly the right chianti for such a person, something he can enjoy without concern that he's bankrupted me and without guilt because it's so dreadful, he's hidden it beneath the kitchen sink.

I offer my deepest appreciation in advance for any and all suggestions, fellow mice.

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Query for the Mice | 14 comments

I will be off and on (2.00 / 9)

Today is my grading slash doing the laundry slash enjoying time with the hounds (aka going to the park) slash the ritual hour spent mourning that Monday is coming so soon day.

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:12:47 PM UTC

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The only thing I know about Chianti... (2.00 / 9)

is that it apparently goes well with liver and Fava beans.

/grin

by: Kysen @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:25:23 PM UTC

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hahaha!! (2.00 / 7)

Then we're in the same boat!

Although that does bring up some interesting possibilities for a gift basket ....

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:34:56 PM UTC

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I don't know, but... (2.00 / 6)

...I believe there are a number of nice Chiantis from Italy that aren't too expensive.

I have a soft spot for the ones that come wrapped in a raffia basket. We had an empty one of those with a candle stuck in the top that Mom put on the table every time we had Spaghetti Night. :-)

There are, in every age, new errors to be rectified, and new prejudices to be opposed. ~Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

by: slksfca @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:36:55 PM UTC

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I love those, too (2.00 / 5)

I'm always tempted to buy one just to do what your mom did.

Maybe that's why he like chianti so much. I just don't know, and I don't want to quiz him because he'll know exactly what I'm up to ...

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:41:25 PM UTC

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I like: (2.00 / 7)

Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva--Price seems to be around $30-$40 a bottle.

Peace, Hope, Faith, Love

by: mapamp @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:45:04 PM UTC

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Thank you (2.00 / 7)

If I remember correctly, I think they might even have that at our pitiful local liquor store (although I shouldn't call it pitiful---its stock isn't half bad, esp. considering how small this town is).

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 17:53:05 PM UTC

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OK. So Italian wines are hard (2.00 / 6)

I've had some brilliant reds, but some goddam awful bitter ones too. You can pay a fortune for something crap, or next to nothing for something fine. Unlike France, Italian wines are more determined by the Chateau, not the appellation or cru so you really need to know your stuff, which I don't.

But I know someone who does....

Richard Bray is an American born Vintner who writes and blogs about wine in the UK, as well as producing his own mixes and vintages. He tells me that Cedro from Lavacchio is your best bet. There are two vintages here on a UK site, but he thinks they now have in importer in the US

The p***artist formerly known as 'Brit'

by: Peter Jukes @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 18:24:30 PM UTC

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Oh oh oh ... thank you! (2.00 / 8)

See, that's the thing. I know I love zinfandels, the red ones, not the white ones, and I buy one bottle every week or so, and it's a dicey business finding one that doesn't give me a massive headache and taste just yulch. I've gotten great zinfandels for $8-9 and wasted $20-30-+ on zinfandels that just gave me heartburn and ended up in a stew pot.

So I need someone who knows their stuff. I think that's the key to finding the right chianti for him. You know, he's an extremely modest and kind person, but he is also very sophisticated and has spent much of his life overseas.

Thank you.

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 18:35:05 PM UTC

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And mwalla ... (2.00 / 8)

Yes, I'll check to see if we have it here, but in case they don't ... I just found Fattoria Lavacchio Cedro Chianti Ruffina Riserva 2003 for a very reasonable price ($14.99).

Now, to see if they'll ship here ...

Tell your friend thanks. Now I can worry about which book he'll enjoy reading while he drinks his evening chianti ...

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 18:49:28 PM UTC

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Or maybe your local shop could order it for you. eom (2.00 / 6)

by: Portlaw @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 22:15:00 PM UTC

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chianti... (2.00 / 5)

it's a blend whose base is Sangiovese. You can find a very nice Sangiovese here. I've also had good luck with Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva. Get the oldest one you can find (and afford).

by: bubbanomics @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 21:17:31 PM UTC

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Nice! (2.00 / 5)

I saw a cabernet there I'd like to order ... for me.

I'm always game for a good cabernet.

by: justme @ Sun Feb 03, 2013 at 21:30:05 PM UTC

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