Feeling Chilly

     It's time for a wine good for any occasion. Villa Neri Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. 2011 is great for any time of year and nice to the palate. This wine has a "fruit forward character" but also displays vanilla spice and oak. Although it's a dry wine, it has very soft tannins and taste great after being opened for awhile. Villa Neri Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. 2011 is a food friendly wine which can be paired with steak, grilled meats and poultry. 

***Recipe for thought*** Chicken Chili with Villa Neri Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. 2011


1 pound of diced chicken breast                           1 -28 ounce diced tomatoes
1 diced red pepper                                                 1 -28 ounce tomato sauce
1 diced onion                                                         1/4 cup chili powder
1/2 cup frozen corn kernals                                 1 tbsp crushed garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper                                        1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp olive oil                                                     salt & pepper to taste 


     Heat oil in dutch oven over high heat. Cook chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper, until no longer pink. Stir in onions, crushed garlic and red peppers. Continue to cook mixture all together until chicken juices run clear and peppers are tender. Stir in corn, beans, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Season with chili powder, parsley, cayenne pepper and ground cumin. Bring chili to a boil and then reduce the heat for a slow simmer of 1 1/2 hours. This chunky chicken chili is great for bringing in the fall season with Villa Neri Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. 2011. Garnishing with cheddar cheese will not harm the flavor of the wine, so enjoy and warm-up!