2016 Mantellassi Mentore Morellino di Scansano

Would all the wine ratings change if the same wine was tasted in a different setting?

Last night, I opened an Italian red blend. The mostly Sangiovese with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon was a little out of balance. The color was red, but not pretty. It felt thin and acidic, but not horrible. It was not disappointing, but you always hope for the exceptional.

The experience was like how I imagine a date with Paris Hilton. I know what to do, but making it interesting would be a challenge.

To finish the bottom half of the glass, I sat down with a hearty bowl of home made beef stew. Everything changed. The beef stew and the Tuscan table wine started to work together to change my opinion. The slight thinness and acidity balanced the thick, meaty stew with a harmony that was startling. The food and wine ganged up on me like a Twitterstorm to convince me that neither would taste that good without the other.