Piccini, red wine blend, “Memðro Italia” $10 – The esteemed Piccini name (pronounced pi-cheeny) has taken an interesting turn from bottling great Chianti and super-Tuscans, producing a wine that 99% of us can afford. “Memðro Italia” is a blend of four Italian grapes: Primitivo (known to us as Zinfandel), Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola and Merlot. Tom at R&L Liquors in Lewes told me about this and how the demand is so great, it just keeps flying off the shelf. How great is the demand? On Thursday evening alone, R&L sold two cases. I was lucky enough to be in Lewes on a day when it was on the shelf, so I bought a bottle and tried it at home last Sunday night. I now understand why this has been so popular. This is a dark, smooth-drinking red without the sharpness found in so many Italian wines. The tannins and alcohol are harmonious, thereby allowing the dark fruit flavors to shine. It is unusual to find a $10 wine with the smoothness and structure as this has. You can pair it with red meat dishes or pasta, but I was perfectly content to drink this on its own and I think you will be too. Highly recommended. Available at R&L Liquors, 207 Second Street (downtown), Lewes, Del.