decanted

something different

We didn't know what to expect from this 2007 Cornarea Roero Arneis, but decided to give it a shot. Arneis is a white grape from northern Italy, and apparently its name means "whimsical" in a Piedmontese dialect. Definitely an accurate description.

This wine is thick and viscous, and changes several times in one sip. It probably works best with food, which would help tame its many layers. We detected a slight effervescence and a piney, almost woodsy taste. It also has some ginger and a little bit of sweetness, and its flavors tend to go on for a long time.

We found the Cornarea to be offbeat and interesting, with a strong backbone. It's not for everyone, but we would recommend it to anyone looking to try something new. We picked it up for $19.99 at Schneider's of Capitol Hill, here in DC, and would give it a 7.5 out of 10.

old world italian

As anyone who has taken middle school science knows, our sense of taste is closely linked to our sense of smell. When we like the way something hits our nose, chances are we're also going to like the way it tastes.

This 2007 Fratelli Revello Barbera d'Alba has a lot going for it, in our book, because it smells like one of our favorite foods: cheese. Our brother-in-law Simon Tiffen noticed this before either of us did, and went even further by narrowing down its scent to that of a nice Manchego or Parmesan.

In addition to the weird but fun sensation of smelling cheese in a wine, the Barbera offers a soft layering of leather, tobacco, and cherry notes. It made Meghan think of a study filled with antique books and cigars. Tim noticed a chewy finish brought on by a combination of dryness and tannins, which were minimal but well-structured. With its Piedmont region pedigree, it provides satisfying old-world flavor at an affordable $14.99 price. We rate it an 8.0 out of 10.