Always Dependable - 2005 Terrazzo Esino Rosso

I have mentioned before what a fantastic job my husband does of selecting wines for our house.  Trips to our local wine market result in his spotting a few new gems for us to try, and the shop's lovely owner normally suggests a couple of exciting bottles for us to sample.  No trip to the store would be complete, however, without him picking up a couple bottles of our favorite wine stand-bys.  You know the kind I mean - the wines you want on hand for surprise guests, or the wine you open for a quick weeknight meal when you just can't justify opening that $30 bottle.  We brought one such stand-by to the table this weekend, and after the rousing reception it received, we realized we shouldn't be taking it for granted.

The 2005 Terrazzo Esino Rosso, from Marches, Italy, is a Sangiovese-Montepulciano blend that pairs beautifully with bold Italian foods and rich, meaty dishes.  We find it at $11 per bottle here in NYC, but have seen it as low as $9 online.  Its medium-bodied, flavorful and dry, and was a terrific complement to our Saturday night meal of braised lamb shanks.

So, what are your favorite wine stand-bys?  We'd love to hear…