The two Italian reds worth knowing first are Barolo — Piedmont's all-Nebbiolo heavyweight — and Chianti Classico, Tuscany's Sangiovese heartland, where Classico, Riserva and Gran Selezione mark three clear rungs of selection and aging. Del Mesa Liquor, a family-owned liquor store in San Diego, California, carries both, from a $14.99 everyday Chianti to Ruffino's flagship Gran Selezione. Every bottle below is in stock and available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor today.
Chianti, rung by rung
- Da Vinci Chianti — $14.99 (in stock). The everyday starting point: a Sangiovese-led Chianti DOCG (13% ABV) from hillside vineyards outside Vinci and Cerreto Guidi, made by Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, the growers' cooperative named for the artist born in Vinci. Medium-bodied and made for weeknight pasta.
- Banfi Chianti Classico — $17.99 (in stock). The step into the historic zone: a Chianti Classico DOCG from the hills between Florence and Siena, predominantly Sangiovese with small amounts of Canaiolo Nero and Cabernet Sauvignon, given 8-10 days of skin contact and a short rest in large French oak. This is the bottle that explains why "Classico" matters.
- Banfi Chianti Riserva — $23.99 (in stock). Riserva means patience: Banfi's Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG ages a full 24 months, 12 of them in French oak, for a mauve-deep, savory Sangiovese at about 13.5% ABV with plum jam and blackberry. Compare it side by side with the Classico above to taste what the extra year does.
- Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico — $28.99 (in stock). The name honors a duke, and the wine earns it: Ruffino's Riserva Ducale is 80% Sangiovese with 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Chianti Classico DOCG, aged 24 months across oak, stainless steel and concrete, plus three months in bottle. At ~14% ABV it is the fuller, more structured of the two Ducale bottlings.
- Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico — $44.99 (in stock). The flagship. Created in 1947, Riserva Ducale Oro is a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG — the appellation's top tier — made only in select vintages from Ruffino's historic Gretole and Santedame estates in Castellina in Chianti, aged roughly 36 months before release at 14.5% ABV. It was the forerunner of the entire Gran Selezione category.
Barolo: the Nebbiolo heavyweight
- Carlin de Paolo Barolo — $39.99 (in stock). Barolo DOCG at a weeknight price: 100% Nebbiolo from estate vines in Monforte d'Alba, Piedmont, matured at least two years in large French oak barrels plus a year in bottle before release. At 14% ABV it brings the grape's signature rose, cherry and fine tannin — give it air or a decanter and serve it with something rich. It anchors our red wine collection for Italy.
Building an Italian shelf? The ladder above is the whole lesson: DOCG for Tuesday, Classico for the weekend, Riserva and Gran Selezione when the meal deserves it, and Barolo when it really does. Francophiles and Napa loyalists can compare against our Napa Cabernet guide, browse the wider wine collection, or send a bottle from our gift sets. Orders ship under our shipping and return policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico?
Chianti Classico comes from the original historic zone between Florence and Siena and follows stricter rules — higher Sangiovese minimums and longer aging — than the wider Chianti DOCG. Classico bottles carry the black rooster seal; Riserva adds a minimum 24 months of aging, and Gran Selezione is the top tier, from estate fruit in select vintages.
What grape is Barolo made from?
Nebbiolo, and only Nebbiolo. Barolo DOCG is produced in Piedmont around the town of Barolo — Carlin de Paolo's comes from estate vines in Monforte d'Alba — and must age at least two years in oak before release, which builds its firm tannins and rose-and-cherry perfume.
What food pairs with Chianti Classico?
Sangiovese's bright acidity and savory edge are built for tomato-based pasta and pizza, grilled meats, aged pecorino and mushroom dishes. Barolo's bigger tannins want richer fare — braised beef, lamb, truffles or aged hard cheese.
Should I decant Barolo and Chianti Riserva?
Yes for Barolo — an hour in a decanter softens Nebbiolo's tannins and opens the aromatics. A Chianti Classico Riserva or Gran Selezione benefits from 30-60 minutes of air; an everyday Chianti DOCG can be poured straight from the bottle.