Varano's Italian Restaurant, Wells Maine

Sangiovese

The major grape variety in all the classified red wines of Tuscany. From good vintages, pure Sangiovese wines are rich in body, intricate in flavor, smooth and round.

Cecchi Sangiovese Bonizio Marema (2005), Tuscany
Ruffino Fonte Al Sole (2003), Tuscany
Rocca Delle Macie Sangiovese Rubizzo (2006), Tuscany
Antinori Santa Christina (2005), Tuscany

Chianti

This favorite Italian red is produced from two red grapes, the Sangiovese (75-90%) and Canaiolo (5-10%), and two white grapes,Malvasia and Trebbiano (5-10%). An addition of no more than 10% non-traditional varietals such as Cabernet is allowed

Palladio Chianti (2005), Tuscany
Baroncini Chianti Colli Senesi (2005), Tuscany
Cecchi Chianti Classico (2006), Tuscany
Spalletti Chianti (2005), Tuscany
Monrosso Chianti (2006), Tuscany
Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico (2004), Tuscany
Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico (2005), Tuscany
Ruffino Chianti (2005), Tuscany
375 ml (2006), Tuscany
Ruffino Santedame Chianti Classico (2005), Tuscany
Cecchi Villa Cerna Chiant Classico Riserva (2004), Tuscany
Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva (2003/2004), Tuscany
Nozzole La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva (2001), Tuscany
Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva Fizzano (2000), Tuscany
Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva (1999/2000), Tuscany
Cecchi Teuzzo Chianti Classico Riserva (2003), Tuscany
Verrazzano Chianti Classico (2004), Tuscany
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Gold (2003), Tuscany
Antinori Toscana (2003), Tuscany
Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva (2003), Tuscany
Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio (1999), Tuscany
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Berardo Riserva (2000), Tuscany
Fonterutoli Chianti Classico (2000), Tuscany

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Barbera

Planted in nearly half of Piedmont's vineyard, Barbera formerly was used in blends, but now is used in red wines ranging from robust and aged to light and youthful.

Michele Chiarlo Barbara d'Asti (2005), Piedmont
Ratti Barbera d'Alba "Torriglione" (2005), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo La Court Barbera d'Asti (2001/2004), Piedmont

Rosso di Montalcino

This wine is known as the younger sibling of Brunello; same grape varietal, aged for one year in French oak to impart a full, velvety charm.

Col D'Orcia Rosso di Montalcino (2005), Tuscany
Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino (2005), Tuscany
Altesino Rosso di Montalcino (2003), Tuscany

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Brunello di Montalcino

Tuscany's wine of greatest stature, a DOCG Sangiovese Grosso clone from a fortress town south of Siena with reds of legendary power and longevity. Conceived originally by the Biondi Santi family in 1860, Brunello is now produced under scores of labels. Rich in texture and fruit, it is truly and aristocratic red wine. It must be aged at least three and a half years in oak or chestnut, followed by at least six months in the bottle.

Baroncini Brunello di Montalcino (2000), Tuscany
Col D'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino (2001/2002), Tuscany
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (2000/2001), Tuscany
Nardi Brunello di Montalcino (1999/2001), Tuscany
Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino (1995/1998), Tuscany
Col D'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino (1993), Tuscany
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (2000), Tuscany
Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Cru "Manachiara" (1998), Tuscany
Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Cru "Manachiara" (1999), Tuscany
Nardi Brunello di Montalcino Cru Manachiara (2001), Tuscany

Barbaresco

Nebbiolo grapes grown around the town of Barbaresco have recently become better balanced and more approachable than ever before. Oak aged for one or two years, then aged in bottle for six months. Dry mellow and full-bodied.

Colli dei Venti Barbaresco (2001/2003), Piedmont
Ceretto Barbaresco Bricco Asili Faset (1995/1998), Piedmont
Poderi Colla Barbaresco (1996), Piedmont

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Barolo

"The king of wines, the wine of kings" is Nebbiolo aged at least two years in oak and one year in bottle. Velvety with big tannins, this wine is an excellent accompaniment to hearty beef entrees and game dishes.

Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano (2000), Piedmont
Ceretto Barolo Zonchera (2003), Piedmont
Marchesi di Barolo Barolo (2003), Piedmont
Ceretto Bricco Rocche Brunate Barolo Riserva (1996), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi Riserva (1998), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi Riserva (1999), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Cerequio Barolo (1996), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Cerequio Barolo (1997), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Cerequio Barolo (1998), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Cerequio Barolo (1999), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Brunate Barolo (2000), Piedmont

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Super Tuscan

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Valpolicella & Amarone

Valpolicella is a warm, hearty and cheerful red blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. Amarone is made from perfectly ripe bunches of the same blend of grapes as Valpolicella, but left to gry out and go through a long, cool fermentation. The resulting wine is dry, round, velvety, higher in alcohol, and has a wonderful dried fruit bouquet.

Secco Bertani Valpolicella Valpantena (2004), Veneto
Palazzo della Torre Valpolicella (2004), Veneto
Sartori Amarone (2003), Veneto
Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone (1996), Veneto
Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone (1995), Veneto
Masi Mazzano Amarone Classico (1995), Veneto
Masi Costasera Amarone Classico (1997), Veneto
Bertani Amarone (1997), Veneto
Tommasi Amarone 375ml (2000), Veneto
Allegrini Amarone Classico DOC 375ml (2000), Veneto
Zenato Amarone Classico DOC 375ml (2001), Veneto

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Selected Reds

Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2004), Abruzzi
Feudo Monaci Primitivo (2004), Apulia
Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva (2003), Apulia
Copertino Riserva (2001), Apulia
Bollini Merlot (2003), Trentino
Zenato Merlot delle Venezie IGT (2005), Trentino
Santa Anastasia Passomaggio (2002), Sicilia
Falesco Merlot (2004), Umbria
Lungarotti Rubesco (2001), Umbria
Capezzana Carmignano (2003), Tuscany
Travaglini Gattinara (2000), Piedmont
Morgante Nero D'Avola (2005), Sicilia
Argiolas Perdera (2006), Sardinia
Osar Rosso del Veronese (1997), Veneto
Ratti Dolcetto D'Alba "Colombe" (2005), Piedmont
Cavit Cabernet Sauvignon (2005), Trentino
Ratti Nebbiolo D'Alba "Ochetti" (2005), Piedmont
Calvano Nobile de Montepulciano (2004), Tuscany
Gaja Ca' Marcanda Promis (2001), Tuscany
Di Majo Norante Ramitello (2003), Molise
Di Majo Norante Cabernet (2006), Molise
Terre Primitivo (2003), Apulia
Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato IGT (2004), Campania
Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico IGT (2001), Campania
Feudi di San Gregorio Patrimo IGT (2001), Campania
Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico DOC (2005), Calabria
Librandi Ciro Rosato (2006), Calabria
Saia (2003), Sicilia
Falesco Vitiano (2005), Umbria
Taurino Notapanaro (1999/2001), Apulia
Taurino Patriglione (1997), Apulia
Allegrini La Poja Riserva IGT (2000), Veneto
Allegrini La Poja Riserva IGT (2001), Veneto
Maculan Fratta IGT (2003), Veneto
Allegrini La Grola IGT (2001), Veneto
Allegrini Villa Giona (2003), Veneto

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Pinot Grigio

Deliciously crisp, delicate yet fruity whites from the Northeast region called "Tre Venezie" (Friuly, Venezia Guilia, Veneto, and Alto Adige). Lighter style whites are perfect with white meats, antipasti, and of course, fresh seafood.

Stella Pinot Grigio (2006), Umbria
Bollini Pinot Grigio (2006), Trentino
Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio (2006), Friuli
Zenato Pinot Grigio della Venezie (2005), Veneto
Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio (2003), Friuli
Santi Pinot Grigio (2006), Trentino
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (2006), Alto Adige

Selected Whites

Argiolas Vermentino Costa (2006), Sardinia
Allegrini Soave (2004/2005), Veneto
Bollini Chardonnay (2004), Trentino
Colonnara Lyricus Verdicchio Castello Di Jesi' (2004), Le Marche
La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna (2005), Sardinia
Antinori Orvieto Classico (2006), Umbria
Castello Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimignano (2006), Tuscany
Ruffino Labaio Chardonnay (2005), Tuscany
Le Bruniche Chardonnay (2004), Tuscany
Ceretto Arneis Blange (2005/2006), Piedmont
Michele Chiarlo Gavi (2005) , Piedmont
Principessa Gavia Perlante (2004), Piedmont
La Carraia Orvieto Classico (2006), Veneto
Bertani Due Uve (2006), Veneto
Feudi di San Gregorio Greco Di Tufo (2005), Campania
Zenato Lugana San Benedetto (2005), Veneto
Fontana Candida Frascati (2005), Latium
Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina DOC (2005/2006), Campania
Feudi di San Gregorio Fiana di Avellino DOC (2004), Campania
Rocca Delle Macie Vernaccia di San Gimignano (2006), Tuscany

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Sparkling & Moscato

Zardetto Prosecco (n/v) 187 ml, Veneto
Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato 375 ml (2006), Piedmont
Cinzano Asti Spumante (n/v), Piedmont
Banfi Brut (n/v), Piedmont
Ceretto Moscato D'Asti (2005), Piedmont
Bellavista Cuvee Brut (n/v), Lombardy

Vin Santo & Late Harvest Wine

Vigna Del Papa Vin Santo (2002), Tuscany
Capezzana Vin Santo (1996), Tuscany
Banfi Moscadello Florus (2003), Tuscany

Grappa & Liqueur

Grappa Julia (n/v), Veneto
Chocolate Grappa (n/v), Veneto
Limoncino (n/v), Veneto
Alexander Grappa (n/v), Veneto
Sassicaia Grappa (n/v), Tuscany

Wine List

Sangiovese
Chianti
Barbera
Rosso di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino
Barbaresco
Barolo
Super Tuscan
Valpolicella & Amarone
Selected Reds
Pinot Grigio
Selected Whites
Sparkling & Moscato
Vin Santo & Late Harvest
Grappa

Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence

Sassicaia Wine Dinner

A special rare event featuring a ten vintage vertical (1996-2005) of this spectacular Super Tuscan paired with amazing Italian fare. Featuring host, Piero Incisa della Rochetta on November 5th 2008. Limited to 36 persons at $400 each.

Read about Richard Varano's recent trip to vinitaly and his latest thoughts on Italian wine.