2023 Italian Wine

Nebbiolo from the foothills of the Alps in Lombardy gives a prettier, more accessible, delight than the stern wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. As you’ll taste here in a wonderfully ripe and silky expression of Nebbiolo with... Read More

Lower ABV In the 1970's, Arneis almost went extinct despite being the most important white grape in the Langhe. Luckily for us, a resurgence in interest for Piemonte whites saved Arneis and we get this expression from Ca'Viola.... Read More

Coco Chanel used to advise that the last thing a fashionable person should do before walking out the door is take off one accessory - less is more. Here, despite a brief stay in barrel, the winery left the oak at home and lets... Read More

Lower ABV The “Vernaccia” in the winery name is a reference to the traditional wine of this part of Sardinia – a lightly fortified, Sherry-like, wine named for Sardinia’s version of Vernaccia. A small group... Read More

If you don't think of Alto Adige for Chardonnay...well, you will after this! From hand-harvested grapes done 50/50 in steel and big, old, oak casks, it has the richness to satisfy California fans and purity, acidity and minerality... Read More

As always, an utterly delicious blend of Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and a splash of Sauvignon Blanc delivers a compelling blend of richness and vivacity, fruit and minerality, and purity and power. Slow fermentation in cool stainless... Read More

Lower ABV From the volcanic soils of Italy’s Campi Flegrei – or, the Phlegraean Fields – where moon-like craters dot the landscape and more than 100 pools bubble and steam away a few miles from Naples and Mt.... Read More

Lower ABV No, we’d never heard of Pelaverga either. It’s an old grape from the Barolo region that today is still hanging on here and there in the hills to the north. Gian Luca Colombo makes this alongside his Barolo... Read More

Organic/Bio Year-in, year-out, one of our very favorite Rosso di Montalcino... Read More

Organic/Bio One of the finest Barbera reds in the world shines as brightly as ever in the 2023 harvest. As Wine Enthusiast says in the 93 point review, Crafted with Barolo-level devotion, this structured Barbera seduces through... Read More

An “important” wine that delivers fully on its potential and price in 2023. For 50+ years, Jermann has been the benchmark for Friuli Venezia Giulia whites from the traditional Pinot Grigio to the pathbreaking Dreams... Read More

Lower ABV The Greeks brought Falanghina to the area around Naples and the Romans prized it for its blend of ripe fruit flavors and zesty acidity. From vines near the sea it gives something salty crisp, almost Albarino-like. From... Read More

Lower ABV Eugenio Gatti at La Miraja is an underground hero for his work with Piemonte's Ruche grape, but he clearly makes a terrific Grignolino as well! This many-seeded grape needs a light hand with extraction, which is... Read More

From the oldest known planting of Ruche, a wild, almost exotic, wine starting with aromas of violets, rose petal, iris, cardamon, white pepper and dark red fruit. The flavors deliver just-right ripe cherry/dark berry fruit with... Read More

A once rare Piemonte grape makes a comeback! Always a more savory than fruity wine with big texture and zesty acids. Vinous describes this well in their 92 point review, “an attractive, expressive white from La Spinetta.... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV If you love Pet-Nat, then you'll love this. And, if you don't know about this hipster fizz yet (or haven't liked the funky ones you've tried so far), this is going to make you a fan! The phrase... Read More

Since Enrico Mandiorla's grandfather founded the estate in 1913, the once rare and now resurgent Timorasso grape has been the focus. And this one is pure brilliance. The grape gives wines of deep texture and complex non-fruit... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Sicily’s Nero d’Avola grape can get heavy and pruny and very simple, but here the Sala sisters coax terrific freshness and even purity from their 15 year-old vines in western Sicily. The secret... Read More

Lower ABV Winegrowing in the tiny valley of Crema between Valle d'Aosta and the rest of Italy dates from Roman times when the legions posted there terrace the valley walls and built stone and wood pergolas to hold the precariously... Read More

Lower ABV Hanging out at a lakeside Trattoria enjoying fish straight from Italy’s Lake Garda, this is what you drink – Laguna Bianco. Ottella makes a fine example from the local grape, Turbiano (a relative of Trebbiano,... Read More

In 1995, Loredana Addari and Nicola Argamante left their city jobs and founded this Piemonte winery, run today with their two daughters. The house style her is classic and direct, and that's a great description of their Barbera... Read More

Organic/Bio Here’s proof that great farming and straight-ahead winemaking can deliver fine Chianti – and even finer value! – from outside the Classico zone. More and more Chianti is either all Sangiovese or Sangiovese... Read More

Organic/Bio As Wine Advocate wrote a few years ago, “Quintodecimo Irpinia Falanghina Via del Campo is the result of 20 years of research and experimentation, I am told.” Like Greco and Fiano, Falanghina came to Italy... Read More

Organic/Bio This is a terrific example of the heights reached by the very old Fiano grape grow on the hillsides near the little town of Avellino in Campania. It’s an old grape, grown in Campania for hundreds of years and... Read More

Lots of folks are going to initially reject a cloudy, frothy, tart wine that at first blush is built to appeal only to Pet-Nat and sour beer fans. But chill this down and sip with salmon tartare or a bite of something finished... Read More