We’re all familiar with the chianti from Ruffino, but I recently discovered their Modus, a Super Tuscan. I hate the term “Super Tuscan” because anything with a superlative is usually a bit over the top, selling the “bigger is better” idea, so let’s just refer to it as an IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica: an Italian appellation applied to quality wines made with the addition of non-traditional Italian grapes). In the 2005 Modus I tasted, equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were blended with 50% Sangiovese. A beautifully balanced wine, it’s ready to drink with elegant expressions of plum and dark berries. In this new economy, we’ll continue to drink, but in order not to compromise on quality, there will be a closer watch on QPR (quality-price ratio). Modus at $30 fits that bill well.