I recently had the opportunity to taste three excellent Italian red wines. The wines were sent to me by the Colangelo and Partners Public Relations firm in New York. The firm is working raise awareness of some of the amazing wine-making history throughout Italy. They also are birnging to light some of Italy's new breed of wines that are complementing their long tenured cousins.

Here's a look at the wines and their wineries:

2011 Luce - Tenuta Luce Della Vite - Toscana

This is the new breed of Tuscan wines. Their first vintage was in 1995 and is a collaboration of two of the world's most respected winemakers: Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi. Their sons worked together for almost ten years in developing the brand and in 2005 Lamberto Frescobaldi took the reins on Luce and still treats it as his personal project.

The grapes are grown in the historic landscape of Montalcino in the heart of the Val d'Orcia Nature Park. The soil alternates between shale and clay there and bright, intense sunlight and continuous breezes provide ideal growing consitions.

The wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. The blend percentages vary year to year.

2010 Marchesi Di Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Risevera - Toscana

The 11th century Castello di Nipozzano is located in the foothills of the Appenine Mountains in Tuscany's acclaimed Chianti Rufina region. The Frescobaldi name is prevelant throughout Itlaiian historical archives dating back to the 11th century. The family began purchasing land and planting their vineyards in 1950 as Italy was emerging from the shadow of World War II.

Marchesi Di Frescobaldi has now grown into a wine empire rivaled by few around the globe. As their holdings and vineyard acreage have grown, they remained committed to the quality and winemaking traditions that gave birth to their brand. Many Frescobaldi family members still hold the most prominent positions in the company and are still directly involved in winemaking for their impressive portfolio.

The wine is 100% Sangiovese. Dark fruits with enticing peppery spice and smokey notes.

2009 Peritcaia Montefalco Sagrantino - Umbria

The history of the Sagrantino grape dates back to 1549 in hills of Montefalco. The grape's name can be traced to the word "Sacrement" because it was cultivated by monks to produce a raisin wine used for religious rites. Sagrantino thrives only in the area surrounding Montefalco. The grape nearly disappeared in the 1960s, but has since been revived and now thrives once again throughout Umbria.

Today there are 74 wineries producing Montefalco Sagrantino with total production now exceeding 1,00,000 bottles a year. In 1981 the Montefalco Consortium was formed to help local producers collabroate to maximize qualty and help promote the region and the history of the grape.

The wine is 100% Sagrantino. Aged 36 months before release. Very full bodied and persistent. Quite tannic with an agreeable touch of bitterness.

I hope you'll give these three Itlaians a try soon. Pair them up with some hearty winter time pasta's, stews, veal or other Italian classic meals.