La Pergola’s Monferrato Rosso is a prime example of a value wine that overdelivers. It’s bold and tangy, brambly and vibrant, with earthy notes of rosemary and black licorice. If this sounds complex for a house red, it is. The Bodda family masters a variety of indigenous Piemontese varieties, many of which shine in this blend—think Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, and lesser-known varieties like Croatina and Bonarda. Each contributes to this unmistakably Italian, deliciously rustico red that you won’t be shy about serving to even your hard-to-impress guest.

50% Barbera, 18% Dolcetto, 17.5% Bonarda, 11% Freisa, 3.5% Croatina