Dinner wines

[Florida Jim]

Aperitif:

2002 B. Giacosa, Roero Arneis:

Smells like apple juice from across the room, some light floral and spice scents accent; medium body, lightweight in the mouth but a satin texture and clean, ripe fruit with good persistence. Dandy stuff.

With chili-marinade chicken with roasted root vegetables:

1998 Nino Negri, Valtellina Superiore Inferno:

Somewhat more earthy than most Valtellina yet still floral with red fruit and tar accents; really good on the palate where the earth takes a secondary role to solid, ripe nebbiolo fruit and savory minerality, intense, balanced and long in the mouth with good grip. Dynamite with the dish and pretty delicious by itself; ready now but will hold. And at $12, a go to wine for any dinner.

Best, Jim