Accornero Bricco del Bosco Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Grignolino 2018

Molly Amoli Shinhat reviewed this wine as follows:

Who needs to smell, to drink, this pale garnet jewel, when you can look at it swirling in the glass, spinning its own history and stories in sunlight? The wine comes from Vignale Monferrato, a few hours southwest of Milan, in Piedmont, Northern Italy. Described as the Beaujolais of Italy, it's a light bodied red from a region known for bold Nebbiolo-based wines.

Founded in 1897, Azienda Agricola Accornero & Figli, a family winery, have been making wine for four generations.

Grignolino used to be the predominant grape in this part of Piedmont, but the indigenous grape was almost wiped out entirely by phylloxera. Only a little bit survived, but as you see here, it's pretty darn glorious! Giving strawberry, raisin, chocolate, and roses, it has a bright acidity and strong tannins (from the pips in the grapes). It's a food-friendly wine.

The only concern is the 15% a.b.v. on the 2018 vintage. While the alcohol is perfectly integrated - there's no burn - a single glass may prove a little too much if you use wine as your aperitif, drink with supper, and after supper.

Still, this colour alone took me back to ancient Italy. Narrated by a retired gladiator, The Satyricon by Gaius Petronius makes for a good match if you're looking for a book pairing, especially with its satiric dinner scene with Trimalchio. Or you could also pair it with a shortish dip into Bulfinch's Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.