Degani 2005 Valpolicella Classico

Produced near the city of Verona in the Italian Veneto region, this lighter-bodied red is made chiefly from the Corvina varietal. The wine is a fruit forward red whose flavors recall fresh picked cherries, wild red raspberries, cherry jam, overripe nectarine, and subtle hints of earth. This unpretentious but delicious wine pairs well with all manner of lighter fare such as crostini, simple red sauce pastas, salami, and mushroom dishes. $11.99 per bottle.