The Hook: Why I Grabbed It (And Why You Should Care)
I’m in West Michigan. I live in the land of “lake-effect everything,” where winter isn’t a season—it’s a long-term relationship. And in that kind of weather, I want red wine that does two things:
- Warms you up
- Doesn’t make you feel robbed at the register
Badesco hit the second requirement immediately: $14.99 on the shelf. And the sign bragged about the 2019 James Suckling 90 points with a note about savory tobacco, cedar, walnut, charred wood, plus plums and smoked berries. (Also mentions the tannins being a bit chewy—thank you for the honesty.)
The bottle label tells you what game we’re playing: Toscana IGT and a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, at 14% ABV.
That’s basically Tuscany saying: “We’re not staying inside the DOC rules. We’re going to build the roster we want.”
And that’s where the curling analogy starts to fit.
Curling is famous for “the spirit of curling”—sportsmanship, self-officiating, respect. Then the Olympics show up, the stakes spike, cameras are everywhere… and suddenly you’ve got a cheating allegation about touching the stone and everyone arguing about video, rules, and what’s fair.
Same deal with IGT Tuscany. The rules loosen. The game gets faster. The results can be great… but you’d better judge what’s in the glass, not what the label promises.
The Wine: What Badesco 2019 Actually Tastes Like
Let’s cut to the chase—this is a “savory-leaning” Tuscan red that still gives enough fruit to keep normal people happy.
Nose:
- Dried cherry / plum skin
- A little smoky berry thing (not BBQ sauce—more like a smoked fruit note)
- Cedar-ish / toasty wood
- That slightly earthy, walnut-shell vibe the shelf talker mentioned
Palate:
- Medium-to-full body
- The fruit isn’t jammy; it’s more ripe but controlled
- The tannins are real, and yeah, they can come across a bit chewy—especially if you drink it too warm or without food
- The finish is savory and kind of “grown up,” which is rare at this price point
This is the part where I’ll say something unpopular: a lot of sub-$15 reds try so hard to be “smooth” that they end up tasting like fruit syrup with a diploma. Badesco doesn’t do that. It’s got grip.
If you like reds that feel like they belong with a meal, not a Netflix snack, you’re in a good spot.
Olympic Curling Scandal Tie-In: The “Spirit of the Game” vs. Win-At-All-Costs
Curling’s drama right now is basically this: the sport prides itself on honor-based conduct, but the Olympics put it under a microscope. One allegation—touching the stone illegally—and suddenly the whole world is debating what the rules should be, how officiating should work, and whether airing video footage crosses a line.
Wine has its own version of that, and Tuscany is ground zero.
- “Tradition” says: follow the DOC rules, play the classic game.
- “Winning” says: build the best blend you can, market it well, and take the points.
And that’s exactly what Toscana IGT is: the wildcard league. Sometimes you get brilliance. Sometimes you get a glossy, over-oaked mess.
Badesco feels like a team that’s still respecting the sport—but using a modern strategy.
If you want a deeper curling parallel, look at “Broomgate”—the equipment controversy where brush tech got so effective it was accused of basically steering stones, forcing regulators to step in and standardize gear.
That’s the wine equivalent of: “Are we still tasting terroir… or are we tasting winemaking technology and new oak?”
With Badesco, you’ll taste some wood influence, sure. But it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to cheat the game.
Food Pairings: What This Bottle Wants on the Table
This wine is a food teammate. Don’t make it play solo.
Best pairings (home-run zone):
- Grilled burgers (char + tannin = handshake agreement)
- Sausage and peppers
- Lasagna or baked ziti
- Steak tips or flank steak
- Mushroom pizza (savory meets savory)
Sneaky good pairing:
- Chili if it’s not super sweet and not brutally spicy. The tannin will fight heat. Keep it balanced.
Avoid:
- Delicate fish
- Anything super spicy
- Very sweet BBQ sauce (it can make the wine feel bitter)
Serving tip: 15–20 minutes of air helps. If it’s been sitting warm, give it a quick chill—10 minutes in the fridge—and it’ll tighten up in a good way.
Price Reality Check: Is $14.99 the Real Deal?
At $14.99, Badesco is playing in the sweet spot where a lot of Tuscan reds are either:
- too thin and acidic, or
- too soft and “mass-market sweet”
For value context, here are a few “same general universe” options and typical pricing I’m seeing online (not all are West Michigan shelves, but it frames the category):
- Frescobaldi Remole Rosso often shows up around $10.99 (lighter, easier, less structure).
- Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana tends to sit around $20.99–$21.59 (more polished, usually a step up in refinement).
- Ruffino Modus is commonly $26.99–$28.99 (bigger, more “showy,” and you pay for it).
So the verdict: $14.99 is a legit buy if you want structure without paying $22–$30.
It’s not a luxury bottle. It’s not trying to be.
It’s a solid “weeknight Tuscan with teeth.”
The Practical: Who Should Buy This (And Who Should Pass)
Buy it if:
- You like savory reds
- You want tannin and structure under $15
- You’re eating anything grilled, roasted, braised, or cheesy
Pass if:
- You only drink plush, sweet, ultra-smooth reds
- You hate any dryness/tannin
- You want a “sip by itself” wine without food
