Comparing any wine to Beaujolais is not only bold; it is potentially sacrilegious. But if the crown for the world’s most irresistible, captivating, utterly gulpable red wine undeniably resides in the granitic rolling hills of central France, it must also be noted that the Italians, too, have a proven track record of excellence in the realm of sensuously delicious, joy-inducing reds.
            Prestigious appellations like Barolo, Brunello, and Amarone tend to steal the international spotlight, but anybody who has set foot in Italy knows that lighter-bodied reds represent the locals’ bread and butter—or should I say, their bread and oil? Cool pitchers of Dolcetto and Bardolino not only parallel the versatility and approachability of fine Beaujolais, but at their best, they match its inviting aromatics and downright drinkability. What’s more, they tend to deliver a gently biting finish—a classic telltale of Italian reds—that allows them to pair to perfection with red sauces, making them much better companions to pizza and pastas than their French counterparts. Some of them even sparkle!
           With its immense array of native grape varieties and wealth of great terroirs, Italy has no shortage of wines that embody the Beaujolais spirit. Here, we’ve picked out four juicy, chillable reds whose ability to slide right down the hatch and inspire carefree refreshment would make the most ardent Gamay lover proud.