Italian Wine

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

Organic/Bio Only from Etna do you get this captivating combination of smoky volcanic rock and crunchy-ripe strawberry/sweet cherry fruit with mouthcoating tannins that give shape and elevate the flavors without drying you out... Read More

High-end pizza wine from Campania’s top estate and the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. It’s 100% Piedirosso and serves up a bold dose of dusty cherry and crunchy raspberry fruit with layered accents of white pepper, sweet... Read More

Since being purchased by Francesco and Riccardo Illy of Italy’s leading coffee company in 2008, this estate has moved from strength-to-strength. As Vinous says, “Classicism reigns supreme at the Mastrojanni estate.”... Read More

Our favorite wine from the fantastic 2019 Brunello vintage combines the rich fruit and power of this warm vintage with the elegance and purity of a unique sandy-soil site in the northern part of the zone. The critics’ reviews... Read More

Sometimes you want the flavors and a character of Brunello di Montalcino in a more open, easy, style. And at a drink anytime price point. That’s what you get here in a wine made from the Brunello grape – Sangiovese... Read More

The origin story of Ruche is muddled, but it may have evolved in France’s Haute-Savoie before finding it’s real home in Italy’s Piemonte region but was more likely born in Monferato of a crossing of Croatina... Read More

Biodynamic Lower ABV In an ocean of Valpolicella, Agricola Montenigo stands out for its commitment to biodynamic farming and a noticeable sense of fun. Like here! This is the Valpolicella trio of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella... Read More

Organic Lower ABV The Veneto is best known for Corvina-based reds like Amarone or Valpolicella and the light Bardolino reds from around Lake Garda. But small growers working in the eastern part of the zone are doing something... Read More

This is a terrific Italian red for everything from mushroom risotto to chicken mole – even pizza! Yes, “Ripasso” wine is made by pouring new Valpolicella wine over the just pressed skins of an Amarone fermentation.... Read More

Organic/Bio Mariacristina and Isabella Oddero make outstanding, classical, Barolo. As Vinous says of this, “The 2019 Barolo is a gorgeous. Medium in body, with captivating inner perfume, the 2019 is sensual and inviting... Read More

Organic/Bio A triumph of winegrowing in a difficult vintage and a steal of a price from a family that resolutely refuses to chase fame. As Vinous says in the 92 point review, A gorgeous, super-classic wine from Ormanni. Readers... Read More

Organic/Bio As Critic Antonio Galloni wrote a few years ago, “Ormanni is one of Chianti Classico's under the radar producers. In top years, these classically-inspired wines really shine, especially the Riserva Borro... 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

Next door to Tuscany, Umbria might struggle to match its neighbor’s red wine fame. But it’s white Orvieto has been one of Italy’s classics since the 1500s. This is an estate grown and bottled blend of traditional... Read More

Organic/Bio At just 1,800 feet elevation, the lowest of Passopisciaro’s Contrada vines grow on the last edges of Mount Etna lava. The vines push through the lava to limestone and develop more rich, round, textures than the... Read More

Organic/Bio Someday I'll go to Le Contrade dell'Etna and taste wines from every important contrade on the volcano. Until then, though, my position is clear and absolute: Guardiola is my favorite and, arguably, the best.... Read More

Organic/Bio What I’ve learned about Passopisciaro’s Etna Chardonnays is you must give yourself three tastes before you understand what’s going on. Chardonnay of these poor volcanic soils is so mineral and intense... Read More

Organic/Bio This is from a tiny, tiny, plot of vines Andrea Franchetti planted in the Passochianche contrada around 3,000 feet done in large oak. Maybe “Puligny Montrachet meets the Santa Cruz Mountains” suggests the... Read More

Organic/Bio With just 1HA of vines on the 2,800 foot elevation, lava-covered, Contrada Sciaranuova, Passopisciaro made only 165 cases or so of this in 2021. The name translates to new lava flow which covered the site in the 1600s... Read More

Organic/Bio With just 1HA of vines on the 2,800 foot elevation, lava-covered, Contrada Sciaranuova, this is always one of the more limited wines from Passopisciaro. The name translates to new lava flow which covered the site in... Read More

I never met Andrea Franchetti, who died in December 2021 at the age of 72. But this wine sums up everything I’ve read and heard from his partners at Passopisciaro. “Poetic” and “wildly visionary”... Read More

Organic/Bio While Andera Franchetti grew to love and master Etna's native red grape, Nerello Mascalese, he never found the charm or potential in its white varietals. So he planted Chardonnay which he hoped would thrive in... Read More

Sagrantinio is Umbria’s great red grape, producing wines with the power of Barolo or Taruasi but with finer tannins and more pure red fruit. This is a lovely example with the vivacity to cut through rich foods and deliciousness... Read More

Carmignano, just outside Florence, is the forgotten region of Tuscany, but when the Medici’s ruled the region, it was their home vineyard. As Vinous says, “The Piaggia winery remains, without a doubt, the shining beacon... Read More