Italian Wine between $25 and $50

Organic/Bio This more or less natural wine estate in Tuscany focuses on biodynamic farming of non-traditional grapes for the region. Like here, a wild blend of Alicante Nero, Mourvedre, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet done -... Read More

When we talk about Nebbiolo from Piemonte it’s often in reference to Barolo or Barbaresco. Roero Nebbiolo, though, is something else entirely – less astringent, brighter in fruit and a bit more savory. This is a great... Read More

Like their Etna Bianco, Etna pioneer Benanti’s Etna Rosso is a blend of multiple vineyards on the volcano’s northern and southern slopes and is built for pure pleasure enjoyment! As Vinous says, it “wafts up... Read More

Organic/Bio As Vinous says, Gilberto Bonipert is one of the rising stars of Alto Piemonte, the region above Barolo and Barbaresco that reaches into the foothills of the Alps. This is his all-steel Nebbiolo and it’s a treat... 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

This is old-school Barolo at it's best. Fruit from across Barolo, 30 days on the skins and 24 months in large oak cask gives a wine of outstanding intensity and grip. As James Suckling says in the 95 point review, A structured... Read More

Christian Bellei is, as Vinous said recently, one of the true Lambrusco di Sorbara masters. A 4th generation Lambrusco maker, Bellei continues his father's innovation of making Lambrusco in the Champagne method - with the... 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

At any other winery, this would be their top Pinot Blanc, if not their top white overall. It's from a super-steep, mountainside, site with barren quartz soils and huge swings in day/night temperature. Wine Spectator describes... 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

Lower ABV A lovely rose of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that's dry, soft, and welcoming with building intensity through the spiced cherry finish. As Wine Enthusiast says in the 93 point review, The nose is fresh and floral,... Read More

Lower ABV Chased out of post-phylloxera vineyards by higher-yielding Trebbiano, Pecorino was thought to be extinct until a few very old vines were discovered in the mid-1980s. Today it's arguably the flagship white of Italy's... Read More

Located right next door to the Asti wine region, the vermouth is 100% Piemonte, from the base wine being the local Cortese grape (same grape as Gavi DOC) to the local Piedmontese botanicals. Giulio Cocchi knew what he was doing... Read More

Lower ABV The debut release from Francesco, Lorenzo, and Caterina Cordero—the grandchildren of Luciana Vietti and Alfredo Currado – after departing Vietti is very impressive. Even the label – done by the Cordero... Read More

D’Angelo was one of the first wineries in Vulture to experiment with aging Aglianico in small French oak, and as this shows, that extra expense creates something very special indeed! All of Aglianico’s earthy power... Read More

Always built to show well on the early side, the 2020 Barolo Lecinquevigne benefits from Damilano's plump and nicely fruit-filled house style. As Wine Spectator says in their 94 point review, Stitched with pure cherry and... Read More

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

Ready now, especially in half-bottle! As Vinous says in the 91 point review, A brooding mix of red plum, brown spice and crushed rocks is nicely offset by a flourish of violet florals as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens in... Read More

One of the finest Barbera in all of Italy whether enjoyed now or with a decade-plus in cellar. As Wine Advocate describes it in the 94 point review, Offering a level of aromatic clarity and elegance that is not always easy for... 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

This is a fabulous bargain in very high-end Etna red. It's mainly Nerello Mascalese with a smattering of the softer Nerello Cappuccio from sites across the north slopes of the volcano. It’s wonderfully layered and complex,... Read More

Expanding from their fine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Icario created this super-Tuscan blend of 60% Sangiovese plus Cabernet and Merlot, all done in French oak. It's rich and deep with layers of blackberry, blackcurrant,... Read More

While there’s a little bit of coppery-pink shine here, this isn’t really a “rosé.” Instead it’s purple-pink-skinned Pinot Grigio picked from Silvo Jermann’s oldest vines, all growing... 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