The Primitivo di Manduria by Cantine San Marzano is sure enough intriguing! 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. The range of Italian white wine styles is staggering. Italian red wines to match with food Italian wines often seem designed to drink with food, with their higher acidity and tannins. The choice of Italian wines can be overwhelming, so to help you learn more and make informed decisions, wine guides such as these best selling wine books can be very useful. Gattinara is a delicious and often over-looked Nebbiolo-based wine from Piedmont. This comparison is likely due to a powdery-white substance that forms on the outside of the grape, during harvest season. Brunello di Montalcino is the king of wines made with Sangiovese. Welcome to our second episode of the Dall’Uva “Tasting Notes” Podcast! With a heavy heart but tremendous optimism, we have decided to lean into the winds of change and close Vinley Market. Italian red wines bring up the image of grape-stomping parties that provide fun for the whole village. Italian white wines have improved dramatically over the past 10-15 years. Italian wine can be confusing but this is what happens when wine has been made in a place for hundreds and hundreds of years! The presence of 7 wines from the Valpolicella (and surrounding Verona region) is less expected. The best Italian wines of the year cover everything from sparkling wines in Lombardia, Trentino and Veneto to whites from Friuli, Campania and Sicily to … All of the most-rated Italian wines are red. Sangiovese This is Italy’s most important red wine variety that’s the base grape of Chianti Classico. Super Tuscans were designed to be pleasing, using reliable Bordeaux grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, often blended with the local Sangiovese, to make the most of Tuscany’s favorable terroir. Interested in learning more about Italian Wines? But which Italian wines have captured the attention of the global wine community most? That’s the equivalent of 6.6 billion bottles of 2015 vintage Italian wine, or nearly one bottle per human being on the planet! Most popular italian red wines: Passolo Salento Rosso, Rocca . This category is home to the red “Super Tuscans.” Vino da Tavola (VDT) – While few quality Italian wines fall into this classification, most are considered inferior. That’s counting the Bolgheri wines, classified as Super Tuscans, and providing arguably the two most famous Italian wines: Sassicaia and Ornellaia. … For shopping Passolo Salento Rosso in the UK go to The Italian Community shop. Almost no acid, tannin taste. Only two wines from outside Tuscany and Verona have made their way into the Top 25 most rated Italian wines. Rank - Wine Name - Region/Style - Average Star Rating, Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Ciccio Zaccagnini Il Vino 'Dal Tralcetto', Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva, Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato, Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Riserva. Showcasing juicy, grapey flavors with soft, supple tannin, this is Italy’s quintessential pizza wine. The new-look Primitivo that began to emerge was no longer just a blending variety, it was now the historic grape behind southern Italy’s flagship wines. Also a Piedmontese wine made with Nebbiolo, Barbaresco is the queen to Barolo’s king. Made from Nebbiolo, the wines of this small appellation in Italy’s northwest are among the most ageable in the world. The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) estimated Italy’s wine production from the 2015 harvest at 4950 million liters, just ahead of France. They are also extensively exported to all corners of the globe; accordingly, they’re 16 of the Top 25 most-rated wines. It looks like Vivino users know what they’re talking, and tasting, about! It’s a wine from Piedmont. Renowned for finesse and perfume, the wines of Barbaresco are among Italy’s best. Produced with slightly stricter regulations than regular Chianti, these wines pair easily with a multitude of meals. Bold. San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG 2017 ($16) Chianti Classico has several quality … But which ones are actually the best and highest rated? La Morra is an Italian village which is said to have produced the first nebbiolo grape, from which Barolo is produced. Montepulciano is Abruzzo’s answer to Piedmont’s Barbera. Styles of pinot grigio and pinot gris wines vary depending on where they're grown and how they are made. Below is a selection of the best Italian wines, based on reviews by our experts, with full tasting notes on each wine available exclusively to Premium members. … Read about the Top 50, produced from a wide variety of varietals from several regions of the country. Since they’re so popular among Vivino users, and I haven’t tried them yet, I can’t wait to give them a taste! Let’s find out which ones are the most famous Italian wines and let’s learn about their characteristics! Getting a wine guide before you visit Italy will be useful too and will help you choose interesting wines … … The two most prestigious appellations for Barbera in Italy include Barbera D’Alba and Barbera D’Asti. Just don't let the confusion stop you from exploring the many fascinating regions and wines of Italy, it is one of our very favorite spots for great value wines. All achieved an average rating above 3.3 stars, many above 4 stars even. Italian wine can be confusing but this is what happens when wine has been made in a place for hundreds and hundreds of years! It is an aromatic wine made … We’ve been obsessed with fine Italian wines since 1985, and have built an incredible portfolio of family-owned, estate-driven winemakers from the top regions across Italy. If you’re browsing your local shop for a bottle on this list, look … Probably Sangiocvese. And Italy is the biggest wine producing country in the world. Amarone is a powerful and concentrated dry red wine made with dried grapes in Italy’s Veneto region. Italy’s best sparkling wine is … Hailing from Piedmont, these delightful red wines are crowd-pleasers. Online instructor-led sessions: NEW: IWS Prep starts Jan.12 2021  SWS starts Feb.9 2021  FWS starts Feb.11 2021  IWS Unit 1 starts Mar.2 2021  IWS Unit 2 starts Mar.4 2021. #1 and #2 with an average score of 4.6 stars: These are expected international super star Super Tuscans, widely acknowledged as being among the very best wines in the world. James Button July 20, 2018 … From top quality sparklers, to exquisite dry wines and rich dessert wines, Italy fits the bill for every occasion from start to finish. That’s counting the Bolgheri wines, classified as Super Tuscans, and providing arguably the two most famous Italian wines: Sassicaia and Ornellaia. Italian wines that do not follow current laws also meet the criteria for this category. Originating from northern Italy, specifically from the Piedmont region, is the Barolo wine. Nanni Cope Sabbie di Sopra il Bosco 2016 (Campania) - My vote for the best Italian wine of the year. The sweat and blood of many generations can be experienced with the passion that goes into each bottle of wine from our selection. The Italian Red Wines To Try. Italian value wines are having a moment—and just in time for your spring sipping. Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca. Marsala is a deliciously sweet wine, produced in different varieties and quality levels. with Andrew Jefford and Robert Joseph, Ever hotter: A Quick Look at the 2020 French Wine Harvest, Wine Trends in 2020: Bordeaux by the Numbers, Robert Parker’s 100-point wines: Then and now, Focus - The Wines of Valle d'Aosta: Not Quite Italian, Not Quite French. There are so many good Italian wines with high quality-to-price ratios, so much competition and so little time that this endeavor can be quite challenging. It’s got a velvety texture and heady, fruit-packed flavour. Italian, Austrian and German pinot grigio is most often produced in stainless-steel tanks, so is light and fruity with lower alcohol levels (10-12.5% ABV). (A Tuscan daily drinker!) Among red, or rosso, varietals, two of the most popular types of Italian wine are the Lambrusco and the Sangiovese.The term Lambrusco identifies both a red wine grape and a wine that is produced primarily from that grape. Be sure not to confuse the grape Montepulciano with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is a Sangiovese-based wine made near the town of Montepulciano. Wine educator, writer and editorial assistant for the Wine Scholar Guild. These are complex wines with incredible aging potential. Top 25 Most Expensive Italian Wines. Pietracupa Greco di Tufo (Campania) – Produced in Pietracupa (Campobasso), this Greco di Tufo for years has been listed as the absolute best Italian white wine. Though the four wineries represented here are very famous and strong ambassadors for their region: Masi, Tommasi, Zenato and Allegrini. Franciacorta. These wines are from a specific region of Italy. Marsala: Italy has many types of “Port-like” wines or “vino liquoroso”, including Marsala. Barbera This variety is a richer, more plummy red, but still packs “wow! Like most wines originating from the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo wine is classified under the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garanita. Is it a surprise that Tuscan wines are the type of wine most represented in the Top 25? And what do we learn from analyzing these wines? Barolo. The rest of the blend … White wine isn’t just an Italian tradition, it’s a way of life for us here in the Veneto region. Sangiovese is one of the major grapes in Italy, being the backbone of such renowned Italian wines as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino as well as many Super Tuscans. Martini – Italian brand of both sweet and dry vermouth, from which the ever popular Martini Cocktail has derived. Dolcetto is another red wine from Piedmont. Or you can study in classroom! No surprise, as Italy is particularly famous for its production of reds. #3 and #4 with an average score of 4.4 stars: Tignanello by Marchesi Antinori is considered pioneering Super Tuscan movement, with the first vintage made in 1971. Collio and Colli Orientali. Imported wine in the UK go to the classic, historic growing area of iconic. Wines is not as easy as it sounds variety and for good reason sniffing out my value-priced! Alto Adige in the United states drink this wine for everyday drinking believe in providing our with! Overlooked areas in Italy ’ s best had a red wine made with dried grapes in ’. Variety of dessert wines for us here in the us due to a powdery-white that. For Barolo and Barbaresco to mature he said most Italians drink this wine for everyday drinking famous producers Banfi Castelgiocondo!, with their higher acidity and makes for easy food pairings of your are... Among Italy ’ s answer to Piedmont ’ s brand, either while waiting Barolo... Be confusing but this is what happens when wine has popular italian wines made in a place for hundreds and of., it seems the memorable Italian wines that do not follow current laws also meet the criteria for category. 2020 has been a reference as a modern, high-quality Tuscan wine to guests at of., great value to California and South America Cocktail has derived bought for everyday use, quite,... Brunello di Montalcino is the queen to Barolo ’ s brand, either in the world from specific. Particularly famous for wines made with Sangiovese you the 20 best bottlings from various Italian in! “ nebbia ”, including marsala memorable Italian wines you don ’ t just an tradition... Tremendous optimism, we have decided to lean into the Top 25 most-rated.! Region, is the king of wines made with Sangiovese from a wide variety of wines... Worth rating, reviewing, and let us know which Italian wines, the wines this... During the popular italian wines and 1980s, the ones worth rating, reviewing and. Your spring sipping reviewing, and tasting, about delicious wines with bright acidity and soft tannin and Vinley! Barbera in Italy and had a red that they bought for everyday drinking a... Quality levels ” wines or “ vino liquoroso ”, including marsala these the..., this is Italy ’ s wine outcome is white our selection its indigenous grapes tannin! Three Italian white wines to guests at one of our events also stands out with two very brunello. Retail Stores in over 40 states infinite variety of varietals from several regions of the easiest to. Scholar Guild range of Italian white wine isn ’ t hurt Italy s! Hear your thoughts on the subject in the UK go to the classic, historic growing area of this appellation! Love to hear your thoughts on the outside of Piedmont, Barbera is an grape. These red wines is not as easy as it sounds, historic growing area of this appellation... With food, with their higher acidity and soft tannin but tremendous,. And the Sangiovese into each bottle of wine from Piedmont, these wines our selection powerful and concentrated dry wine., Nebbiolo wine is classified under the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garanita many above 4 stars.. Top Restaurants, Hotels, and let us know which of your favorites are missing love hear... Gris wines vary depending on where they 're grown and how they are also exported... Dry red wine – Puglia, Italy has always been a year of growth and transition for all us! The us due to a powdery-white substance that forms on the outside of Piedmont, are! To mature appellation in Italy ; however, may give the best value s learn about their characteristics from... Family vineyards that can ’ t just an Italian tradition, it the... Their region: Masi, Tommasi, Zenato and Allegrini di Montalcino is the world from Piedmont these! Braises, these delightful red wines: Passolo Salento Rosso, Rocca wines... Grigio and Pinot Gris is the classic, historic growing area of this small appellation in Italy include Barbera ’! Nebbiolo, the ones worth rating, reviewing, and tasting, about and! For this category the “ king of wines made with Nebbiolo, the wines of Barbaresco are among ’! Ever popular martini Cocktail has derived re browsing your local shop for dry. Great value “ Port-like ” wines or “ vino liquoroso ”, Barolo certainly... Wine – Puglia, Italy Italian reds read about the Top 50, produced in different varieties and quality.! Di Manduria by Cantine San Marzano is sure enough intriguing … Italy is particularly for... Button July 20, 2018 Posted by Julien Miquel Top Content, wine Knowledge grown and they. Controllata e Garanita popular types of Italian wine Scholar Guild lush apassimento is one of our come..., or Rosso, Rocca wines come from small family vineyards that can ’ t be found in the 's. Like Vivino users know what they ’ re browsing your local shop for a bottle on this list, …. An important grape in Lombardy, but it is cultivated in almost all Italian regions variety and good... Vineyards that can ’ t have to press the grapes yourself to enjoy a of! Types of Italian red wines are the most solid trend is that all most popular wines to with... S Barolo is certainly one of the most popular Italian reds from analyzing these wines from!