Friuli exists where East meets West, and the cities of Udine and Trieste are stunning cultural and architectural reminders that, depending on who wins what war, Friuli’s inclusion in Italy is more arbitrary than part of any great European master plan.  This territory is a gorgeous melting pot of pan-Italian and Slavic-Austro-Hungarian influences, not only culturally, but also at the table and in the wine cellar. Discovering the wines of Tenuta Luisa is the perfect way to learn just how good the wines can be out here in Italy’s wild, wild east. Most people don’t realize that the Cabernet grapes (and Merlot) are no newcomers to Friuli as they have been in the ground here for hundreds of years and are as part of the fabric of winegrowing here as any indigenous grape.  The Luisa Cab Franc shows its more elegant, lacy side of the grape with distinctly Loire Valley-like savory, floral aromatics, deep purple, very cool fruit notes and a mid-weight, ultra-food friendly palate that will also surprise you with its heft and persistence.  This is a boatload of absolutely delicious Cab Franc for $20!