This past weekend I discovered a great little gem of a wine shop, The Wine Company of Moscow.  Where I live in Pullman, WA, there is a lack of wine shops, but just 8 miles away in neighboring Moscow, ID is where I found this place.  They have a wonderful selection of wines, and the prices are hard to beat.  There also happens to be a cheese counter there, which combined with great wine is always a bonus.  At this very place is where I picked up a bottle of La Quercia Estates Montepulciano D’ Abbruzzo.  Grown in the Abruzzi region of Italy, the Montepulciano grape makes some fantastic wines that are full bodied and flavorful, and are comprised of at least 85% Montepulciano, with Sangiovese making up the rest. The bottle I tried was the 2010 vintage, and it was a very nice wine.  This wine had a medium purple color to it, with light red fruit and hints of leather and mineral on the nose.  The first sip greats you with a flavor of light cherry along with a fine balance of tannins and acids, and leaves you off with that nice leathery mineral taste on the finish.  I paired this with pasta, and it was a perfect combination.  This wine would also be a great glass to relax with, or enjoyed in the company of good friends.

 Cheers,

 Seth