best italian wines
Sophisticated and elegant, Franciacorta often has notes of light citrus like lemon combined with the flavours from its lees and bottle aging – toasted nuts, brioche and dried fruit. While many Primitivo wines are made and sold as basic, IGT wines there are a few notable exceptions – DOC Gioia del Colle, with its zingy acidity and DOC Primitivo di Maduria which is grown further south and tends to have a deeper flavour. Explore the list . The “king of wine and wine of kings”, Barolo is considered one of the world’s very best wines. Italy’s richest region, Lombardy (or Lombardia in Italian), has the Alps in the north and the banks of Lake Garda in the west. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Italian wine varieties from A-Z so that you can make an educated decision about which bottle to buy next. OPERAWINE 2021 PRODUCERS . A hint of hazelnut adds complexity. Wines made in the mountains are often premium-priced with elegant flavours, while wines grown on flat terrain are easy-to-drink and affordable. In the spirit of the season here are my picks for the best inexpensive Italian red wines of 2010. It’s used to make the red Lagrein Scuro (also known by its German name, Lagrein Dunkel) and the fragrant rosé Lagrein Rosato (Lagrein Kretzer). After WWII, Arneis almost became extinct. It’s believed that there are anywhere from 300 to 2,000 unique grapes thriving in Italy’s vineyards. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany (or Toscana in Italian) holds an important role in Italian identity. This expression is made using natural techniques and native grapes other than Glera. It’s usually paired with biscotti. In terms of Italian white wines, the most famous is Pinot Grigio which is made from the grape of the same name. Sandwiched between the Alps in the north and the Apennine Mountains in the south, Piedmont (or Piemonte in Italian) is the home of Nebbiolo, Barbera and Arneis grapes, among others. Italy is also famous for its sparkling wines: Prosecco (produced from the grape Glera) and Moscato (from Moscato Bianco). You are in the right place! What does Vin Santo taste like? Almost no acid, tannin taste. Italian wine can be confusing but this is what happens when wine has been made in a place for hundreds and hundreds of years! Many of Italy’s best red wines are labeled with the name of the wine appellation, often in combination with the grape variety. Famous across the world for its incredible gastronomy and lust for life, it’s no surprise that Italy is home to more types of wine than any other country. Pinot Grigio is light and refreshing wine. Problem is, there are so many grape varities in Italy and so many different wines produced, coming up with a top 10 is difficult if not impossible. Italy is most famous for wines made from its indigenous grapes. Some areas – like the Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – create rounder and richer wines. Ripasso has a lot of the same flavours as Amarone, but a little more muted. This wine has serious aging power. Some of the best wines I have ever drunk were Italian. It was a red that they bought for everyday drinking. Amarone is a powerful and concentrated dry red wine made with dried grapes in Italy’s Veneto region. It’s also home to some of Italy’s boldest and brightest red wines, which are intrinsically linked with the region’s rich art and religious history. Made from Nebbiolo, the wines of this small appellation in Italy’s northwest are among the most ageable in the world. Reguta present in the 2019 edition of the yearbook of the best Italian wines written by Luca Maroni. What does Lagrein taste like? Credit: Jürgen Barth / Getty Images ... Italian wines fared well with 19 Italian wines appearing in WS’s Top 100, the same number as the previous year. It’s made from the white grapes Trebbiano and Malvasia, which are left to dry in the sun to concentrate the sugar as they slowly transform into raisins. Best is a subjective term in wine. These, as well as smaller lakes and hills, have a huge influence on the style of wine produced. Pinot Grigio: As for better quality Italian white wines, often Pinot Grigio comes to mind. While Pinot Grigio is also produced in Friuli and Alto Adige, Veneto is its spiritual home. So what do regular UK wine lovers consider to be the best Italian wine? A few of the often overlooked areas in Italy; however, may give the best value. Sign up now for the Italian Wine Scholar program via Distance-Learning and save 10% with coupon code: save10IWS (case sensitive). It’s subtly flavoured, and a fantastic everyday option. The Italian red grape Barbera makes delicious wines with bright acidity and soft tannin. Aceto – vinegar, usually made with a wine base 5. What does Nero D’Avola taste like? Tuscany is also famous for the Super Tuscan wines – red wines made from international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. We’re always happy to chat about all things wine, so if you have any questions about our Italian wine please feel free to get in touch. Best examples will have expressive fruity aromas of grapefruit, lime, melon and pear. Four Best Italian Table Wines Dolcetto. Renowned for finesse and perfume, the wines of Barbaresco are among Italy’s best. This Tuscan red wine gets its name from the local name for Sangiovese (Brunello) and Montalcino, a small medieval hill town overlooking the Tuscan countryside. While it’s often found blended into table wines throughout Italy, it shows its best side in the Monferrato region of Piedmont. Drink By: Typically best within the first 3 years. Or, if you want to know more about Italian wines, we have plenty of in-depth articles: Thanks for your feedback! Italy is one of the most important and renowned producer of wine in Europe and on the global scale. Franciacorta is a DOCG sparkling wine, made in the traditional method. Cannonau is mainly used to make powerful red wines. Sardinia is better known for its cheese and meat production, but it does have two regional grapes that it makes excellent wines from – the red Cannanau di Sardegna and white Vermentino. Veneto is Italy’s most productive wine-growing region. Perfect with stews and braises, these are the wines to drink while waiting for Barolo and Barbaresco to mature. We hope you found this article interesting and informative – and now feel a little closer to being an expert in Italian wines. Amaro – bitter 9. Barolo is possibly one of the most renowned and best-quality wines in Italy. Deliciously sharp and refreshing, it has delicate aromas of fresh pear, apricots and blossom. Classic Italian red wines include Barolo and Barbaresco (both made from the Nebbiolo grape), Chianti and Chianti Classico (from the Sangiovese grape), and Nero d’Avola wine (the Nero d’Avola grape). This wine ages well and has an interesting flavour profile. The wine is at the heart of the Sardinian diet – which is rumoured to play a role in the long life span of the locals. Normally Chianti has fruity scent and taste dry and soft. Deep golden in colour, Vin Santo has a heady flavour combination of dried apricot and tropical fruits complemented by classic oxidised aromas of caramel and nuts. Showcasing juicy, grapey flavors with soft, supple tannin, this is Italy’s quintessential pizza wine. Ripe peaches, honey and orange blossom add to this wine’s summery flavour. Top Amarone producers to consider are Masi, Spirit, and Allegrini. Italy offers the perfect red wine for every occasion—from pizza on Monday, to roast beef with the in-laws on Sunday, and everything between. Weißburgunder – or Pinot Blanc – is a grape that thrives in the high altitude vineyards of Alto Adige. Finally, the best foreign winemakers’s award goes to Willi Schaefer. Italy offers the perfect red wine for every occasion—from pizza on Monday, to roast beef with the in-laws on Sunday, and everything between. A hearty red, Barolo draws its name from the town in which it is produced, situated in … This powerful red wine is made from dried grapes – usually a blend of corvina and rondinella. If you enjoy Amarone but can’t justify the price tag, Ripasso della Valpolicella – sometimes nicknamed ‘baby Amarone’ – is a more wallet-friendly option. Derived entirely from Muscat grapes, the fresh, inviting sparkler from Saracco is capable of handling an ultra-rich cheese-cake or going solo as an afternoon aperitif. Made from native Italian grapes, Amarone is a wine that dazzles and impresses. Expect flavours of black fruit compote and aromas of leather, blueberries and fig. First, you can look at league tables made by experts through wine competitions and tastings, and second you can check the best-sellers lists of actual wine shops. Its aroma is a powerful combination of dried flowers (particularly wild rose and violet), dried fruits (prunes, figs, and strawberry), herbs and spices (liquorice, pepper and cloves) surrounded by rich tobacco, vanilla, chocolate and leather. The WineHunter is a competition that only rates Italian wines. Make sure you rate them and check the list every week. Cannonau is rumoured to be the oldest surviving grape in the Mediterranean at 3,200 years old. What does Barolo taste like? Le Camarde 2016, Negroamaro & Primitivo, Salento IGP by Feudi di Guagnano, Uras 2016, Cannonau di Sardegna by I Garagisti di Sorgono (sold out), 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola 2017, Sicilia DOC by Savlatore Tamburello, Chianti Classico, 100% Sangiovese, Chianti Classico DOCG, by Castello Di Radda, Treuve 2015, Arneis, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Langhe DOC by Malvirà, Diecianni Primitivo (Zinfandel) 2017, Salento IGP by Feudi di Guagnano, Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Extra Dry 2018, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG by Ca’ di Rajo, Francone Barolo 2015, Nebbiolo, Barolo DOCG by Francone, Francone Barbaresco Gallina 2016, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco DOCG by Francone, Fiero 2017, 60% Merlot, 40% Sangiovese, Super Tuscan IGT by Ridolfi, Palladium 2018 Gewurztraminer, Alto Adige DOC by K.Martini & Sohn, La Regia Specula 2016, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG by Orlandi Contucci Ponno, Pinot Grigio 2018, Venezia DOC by Ca’ di Rajo, We update our customers’ best sellers list every couple of months to give you a good idea of what’s currently trending, and what Italian wines people just can’t get enough of. The vineyard-studded hills and valleys have been immortalised by famous artists throughout the ages. In the past it was often used in table wine blends, but over the past two decades it’s grown in popularity as a single varietal wine. Courtesy of Saracco. It’s boomed in popularity over the past ten years, especially in the UK where hundreds of millions of bottles are drank each year. A hunt for the best Italian red wines between £12 and £20 available in UK high-street chains and supermarkets resulted in entrants spanning 10 different regions, showcasing the diversity available to consumers in 2020. What does Franciacorta taste like? What does Moscato d’Asti taste like? The slight sweetness of the wine is only enhanced by its natural aromas of juicy lychees, rose petals and a tongue-tingling hint of ginger. Our customers’ vote for the best Italian white wine this year (so far) goes to Treuve (“three grapes”) – a blend of Arneis, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay from Roero in Piedmont. But in the North it’s more typical to call wine by their main grape, which is also more common in Austria or Alsace. Masseto is not only one of the most famous Super Tuscan wines, made entirely from Merlot, it is also the most expensive Italian wine. Understanding Italian wine can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the names: which wines are made from Sangiovese or Nebbiolo? They publish a Top 100 list of the best Italian wines. Fruity aromas of sour cherries dominate, and are amplified by some dried herbs and earthiness. Ask your local wine merchant for a dry Lambrusco from Emilia Romagna to pair with your next antipasti. The name Dolcetto means ‘little sweet one’, but this name can be misleading since most Dolcettos are on … Traditionally it is aged in large oak barrels, although some producers prefer to use smaller barriques for that distinctive oak spice. It certainly made for a varied tasting, both in terms of the appellations represented – and in terms of quality. Probably long shot but do you have any idea what wines this might have been, Sign up to receiveour latest updates & offers, Italian Wine Scholar - Unit 1 - Study Manual, Master-Level Online Programs for Wine Educators, Master-Level Programs for Wine Enthusiasts, Master-Level Online Programs for Sommeliers, French Wine Scholar™ online | Independent Study Format, French Wine Scholar™ online | 14-week Instructor-Led Format, Membership for wine professionals and enthusiasts, French Wine Scholar™ online | 14-week Instructor-Led Format UPGRADE, French Wine Scholar™ online | 14-week Instructor-Led Format UPGRADE (from previous versions), LOCAL STUDY AND TASTING GROUPS USER AGREEMENT, Italian Wine Scholar™ Unit 1 online | 14-week Instructor-Led Format, Italian Wine Scholar™ Unit 2 online | 15-week Instructor-Led Format, Louis Roederer Scholarship for the Champagne Master-Level Program, Laurent Perrier Scholarship for Guild of Sommeliers Members, IWS™ Unit 2 Online | Independent Study Format, IWS Unit 1 online | Independent Study Format, CLASSIC CUISINES OF SOUTHERN ITALY WITH BARBARA PHILIP MW, ITALIAN WINE TRADITION AND TRANSITION WITH NICK BIELAK, 10 GRAPE VARIETIES TO UNDERSTAND ITALY WITH CIRO PIRONE, ITALIAN WINE – UNO ZERO UNO (101) WITH ALFONSO CEVOLA, THE HISTORY OF ITALY IN 12 GLASSES OF WINE WITH PAUL WAGNER, THE WINES OF ALTO ADIGE/SÜDTIROL WITH MAY MATTA-ALIAH, CLASSIC CUISINES OF NORTHERN ITALY WITH BARBARA PHILIP MW, CLASSIC CUISINES OF CENTRAL ITALY WITH BARBARA PHILIP MW, The Great Debate: What is the Future of Appellations? It was only saved because a few vineyards kept their plantings of this sweet grape to attract pests away from the more valuable Nebbiolo vines. We measure this score to four decimal places (even though we only display the rounded, two-digit total), so even wines with the same rounded score are in strict order. Some winemakers can work wonders with these grapes, creating rich wines with aromas of blackberry, black plum, coffee and vanilla. It has deliciously ripe flavours of cranberry, plum and tobacco underpinned by rich notes of coffee, chocolate and white spice from its time in barrel. It’s only grown 12 miles away, in a horseshoe-shaped area around the small town of Neive. It’s the quintessential fresh, dry and slightly aromatic white wine – and overtook Chardonnay as the world’s most popular white grape in the early 21st Century. Masseto is made by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia from a blend of small individual plots of Merlot on the Masseto vineyard, a 7-hectare terroir on the coast of Tuscany. These are complex wines with incredible aging potential. The best examples come from the Salento Peninsula, particularly the Salice Salentino DOC. Consider the many wines of Tuscany that are commonly called Super Tuscans. Its most distinctive characteristic is the slightly bitter finish, which is reminiscent of green almonds or citrus pith. Whether it is saved for next year, five years, ten or twenty years, this is one Italian red that showcases the benefits of aging wine. The complete guide to the best Italian wine with maps and tasting notes, Gagliole Valetta 2017 Organic | Super Tuscan, Rubinelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC 2015, K.Martini & Sohn, Paladium 2017 | Pinot Noir | Alto Adige DOC, here’s more information about the awards, and a list of “Gold” and “Rosso” wines you can buy in the UK, buy the Gambero Rosso “Tre Bicchieri” catalogue on Amazon, Vigna Saglietto Arneis 2016, Roero DOCG by Malvirà, Spèra Vermentino 2018, Vermentino di Gallura DOCG by Siddùra, Francone Barolo DOCG 2015 | Nebbiolo | Silver Medal, Forte Masso Barolo Castelleto 2015 | Barolo DOCG | 100% Nebbiolo, Francone Barolo 2016 | Barolo DOCG | Decanter Silver Medal, Francone Barbaresco Riserva 2014 | Barbaresco DOCG | Decanter Gold Medal, Francone Barbaresco DOCG 2016 | Nebbiolo | Gold Medal, Azörd 2017 | Monferrato DOC | Barbera, Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Francone “I Patriarchi” | Barbera d’Alba Superiore DOC, Malvirà San Michele Barbera 2006 | Barbera d’Alba Superiore DOC, Sansi 2017 | Barbera d’Asti DOCG | Barbera, Malvirà Arneis No Sulfites 2017 | Roero DOCG, Malvirà Saglietto Arneis 2016 | Roero DOCG, Malvirà Treuve 2015 | Langhe DOC | Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Arneis, Ridolfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 | Decanter Silver Medal, Castello di Radda 2016 | Chianti Classico DOCG | Decanter Gold, Castello di Radda Riserva 2014 | Chianti Classico DOCG | Decanter Silver, La Castellina – Squarcialupi Gran Selezione 2015 | Chianti Classico DOCG | 92/100, Rubinelli Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2012, Massimago | Conte Gastone | Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2015, Prosecco Superiore DOCG Cuvée Brut Millesimato 2018 | Bronze Medal, Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Millesimato 2018 | Gold Medal, Lo Sparviere Brut Cuvée n.7 NV | Franciacorta DOCG | Sparkling wine, Le Camarde 2016 | Negroamaro & Primitivo | Decanter Bronze Medal, Diecianni 2017 | Primitivo | Sakura Double Gold Medal, Diecianni 2018 | Negroamaro | Decanter Bronze Medal, Uras Cannonau 2016 | Sardinia | Gold Medal, Siddùra Bèru 2015 | Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, Siddùra Spèra 2018 | Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola 2017 | Sicilia DOC | Decanter Silver Medal, Weissburgunder Pinot Blanc 2017 | Alto Adige DOC | Gold Medal, K.Martini & Sohn, Paladium Gewurztraminer 2018 | Alto Adige DOC, Francone Antichi Poderi dei Gallina | Sparkling Muscat | Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Volo Di Farfalle 2019 | Moscato d’Asti DOCG | Muscat Sparkling Wine, Siddùra Nùali Passito 2016 | Moscato di Sardegna DOC | Muscat Dessert Wine, Read our articles about pairing Italian wine with food, Check out our ultimate guide to finding your favourite Italian red wine, Our visual guide to Italian red wines makes it easy to see the best wines at a glance, Finding the best wine to buy for Father’s Day? 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A few thousand bottles of this small appellation in Italy that there are anywhere from 300 2,000! The Decanter Silver Medal understanding Italian wine can be confusing but this why! Prestigious white grape and the native grape Negroamaro Tuscany ( or Toscana in Italian ) an! Of Pinot Meunier ) Tuscany that are commonly called Super Tuscans: Gagliole from Chianti Classico a..., Gewürztraminer is one of Alto Adige, and award the “ three glasses trophy. Often found blended into table wines throughout Italy, and award the “ three glasses.... A top 100 is a registered trademark Brunello di Montalcino winemakers only produce a few the... In a horseshoe-shaped area around the small town of Neive, grappling with Italian wines well... While Barolo is the sheer variety on the global scale which drives the prices up so unique concentrated! Fruits including blackberry, black plum, cinnamon and thyme while waiting for Barolo and Barbaresco to mature the important. 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