2016 Nero di Troia Mario Ercolino winemaker, Italy

One legend tells that some ancient guy carried this grapevine to his castle and Planted it. A different tale links it to the infamous Trojan Horse, where one of those “insiders” brought the vine to Italy. After a while, the vines grew. Locals harvested the grapes, began stomping them into grape juice for wine. (Another reason, I’m all for wearing Trojans.) The grape’s official name is “Una di Troia”. Then, a couple of decades ago, winemakers needed something better for marketing; they changed its name to “Nero di Troia” or the black Trojan. The rest of the legend belongs to contemporary wine history. Usually, this dark grape wine is a mixture, but the winemaker did not include details. The nose of the ’16 Nero di Troia is earthy, balsa wood. First taste is a floral lilac. And then comes other layers: tobacco, red raspberry, a hint of vanilla. The finish is a smoky mild tannin. The color looks good: a deep purple. But it is bottled with a composition cork, which tells its own story. If you order a bottle in your Italian restaurant, pare with spaghetti and meat balls, Stracotto, or steak Diane. Its’ a drink it now wine, and served with hearty red meats.