Cellar Secrets: Affordable & Food-Friendly California Wines

"Winemaker Brian Terrizzi explores the potential of Italian grape varieties in Paso Robles with his Giornata brand, where he crafts classics like nebbiolo, vermentino, fiano and aglianico. Terrizzi’s wines capture the full, ripe fruit of California while embracing a touch of rusticity and plenty of acidity that echoes their classic Italian expressions. The barbera is especially appealing, with soaring aromatics and an expansive, finely grained feel in the mouth that’s ideal for the table. Medium ruby-purple in color, it’s scented of red and black cherries, blood orange, earth and an array of spicy accents. Made without new oak, the medium-bodied palate is bright, fresh, and intended for early-drinking with food—any Italian or tomato-based dish is going to be delicious with this barbera. At just $25 a bottle, it’s a wallet-friendly red worthy of drinking on a nightly basis. RP 92" - Le Guide MICHELIN