SOLACE FROM SOLYSS

DAVID writes (from New York):

Recent dinner in an Italian restaurant on the Lower East Side called Basso Est. (Guess what that translates into in English!) Excellent food. There were four of us. The owner recommended a wine called SOLYSS, which none of us had ever heard of or had before. 2003 vintage. From Puglia region in southern Italy. 100% Negroamaro. Needed a few minutes to open up. Then, big, rich fruit, long finish, excellent accompaniment to Italian food, red sauces. Delicious on its own. A welcome change from cab -merlot-zin- etc. $32 in the restaurant. We had two bottles. Would be happy to pay $20-25 in a store.

Found it in 3 shops in NYC: Union Square Wines has it for $18.99; Zachy's price is $14.99, and Sherry-Lehmann will let you steal it for $12.99. Highly recommended.