Bibbiano Chianti Classico Needs to be at Your Dinner Table

2017 Bibbiano Chianti Classico (about $20) – Looking for an affordable, food-friendly Italian red to serve with dinner? This lovely little number from Tuscany should fit in perfectly.

Vanilla, sweet cedar, and spicy aromatics lead off, while the initial wave of black currant flavors melt into brighter, leaner notes of pie cherry and savory cherry tomato. Great acidity, touches of graphite and minerality, and a slightly chewy finish give this wine plenty of staying power.

In addition, there’s a nice, fresh quality throughout, which makes it ideal to serve with pasta and tomato-based sauces, veal, or poultry.