Sure, there are always double magnums out there, but often they’re going to cost you. They contain 3 liters of wine (exactly 4 standard bottles). Not only are they big, but for entertaining, they’re fun, especially when filled in Italy.
One of the affordable Italian producers who has exported a good variety of wines and bottle sizes for some time is Bellini. Just when or why they choose to fill some 3L double-magnums and load ‘em up for export is anyone’s guess, but they have been doing it for recent vintages.
Bellini’s wines are produced in Tuscany from nearly 100% Sangiovese grapes, and as such, are very good companions for Italian foods of all types. These Chiantis are perfect for big parties or gatherings where there a lot of people sharing in a celebration that calls for a basic red wine to go along with the hoopla.
To this day, Bellini continues to recycle their bottles by refilling them for many restaurants in Florence, Italy. That keeps the party going Italian style and also cuts down on the need to keep producing new bottles. This is a perfect situation for the relatively un-industrialized areas of the Tuscany region.
When they export a batch, we vicariously get to share in the “wine drinking” part of their recycling tradition. So be sure to chuck your empties in the recycle barrel!
Want to pick up some Bellini? This big boy (Bellini 3L) is now at Total Wine for $39.99, that’s less than $10 per standard bottle, excellent. Serve from the fridge after about 45 minutes (60 degrees). That’s if you can get it to fit in the fridge, of course.
Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com
View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.
