Abbazia di Novacella 2007 Kerner, Alto Adige
The Alto Adige may be politically and geographically part of Italy, but its wines exhibit an attitude born of altitude that is decidedly continental. Nestled in the visually stunning Valle Isarco …
Italian Pick
Sella & Mosca 2004 Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva
Located in the northwestern part of the island, Sella & Mosca has become Sardinia’s signature winery. Its vast acres of vineyards have made it, and Argiolas is synonymous with wine from …
Bertani “Le Lave” 2002 Veneto
…Old and New World styles synthesize in this full-bodied, creamy blend born of volcanic soil that is the antithesis of vapid, watery white wines from the Veneto. Garganega, the basis of …
Tenute Dettori 2003 Tudori “Badde Nigolosu”, Sardegna
Attending a large-scale wine tasting with over 150 producers represented reminds me of a major league tryout camp. The usual suspects always turn up, a couple of can’t miss prospects that …
Badia di Morrona 2000 “Nantia” Toscana
Quick quiz. What do these wines have in common – Solaia, Lupicaia, Cepparello, Olmaia, Feliciai, Summus? Super Tuscans with prices to match. Throw in a few more “aias,” and you have …
Cantina Cardeto 2005 “Rupestro” Umbria
Sangiovese is the most Italian of grapes, planted in almost every region and showing up in scores of classified wines, either on its own or in highly coveted (and high priced!) …
Bruno Giacosa 2001 Dolcetto d’Alba, Piemonte
Sometimes it’s good to start the new year with a bit of auld lang syne, going back to an old friend whom you’ve neglected for one reason or another. Such is …
Cristina Ascheri 2006 Langhe Arneis, Piemont
In the land of Barbaresco and Barolo, this grape is truly, in the local patois, an unruly child, the one who doesn’t quite fit in. Once planted among rows of Nebbiolo …
Casanova di Neri 2005 Rosso di Montalcino, Toscana
Rosso di Montalcino was the first of the “little brother” wines to garner DOC classification based on a more prominent sibling, Rosso di Montefalco and Rosso di Montepulciano. Fruit that lacks …
Enzo Mecella 1998 “Rubelliano” Rosso Conero DOC, Le Marche
Their use of the Montepulciano grape more or less characterizes the reds wines of the region. Even though other red varietals are grown, it has become Marche’s signature and is best …
Montesole 2003 Fiano di Avellino, Campania
.This varietal stands out from the unassuming crowd of white wines from the region, all of them interesting in their own right but whose nuances are not easily discerned. Fiano has …
Castello di Verduno Pelaverga 2004 “Basadone”Piemonte
In a region famous for its Nebbiolo-based wines, several varietals don’t get the attention they deserve, and this is one. Pelaverga is an ancient cultivar native to the Langhe, once planted …
Cantine Cardeto 2002 “Rupestro” IGT, Umbria
Even though Sangiovese is Italy’s most prolific and widely planted grape, it is popularly associated with Tuscany- Chianti, to be specific. In the hills near Orvieto, blended with Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, and …
La Spinetta 2003 “Bionzo” Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Piemonte
This is one of Piedmont’s larger and more successful producers, whose wines are unfiltered, unfined, and in most cases created using biodynamic methods. The “Bionzo” Barbera debuted in 1998, and only …
Enrico Santini 2005 “Poggio Al Moro” Bolgheri
See if this sounds familiar. Someone touts or perhaps even gives you a high-priced Super Tuscan, maybe a bottle with a recognizable name. Or you’re at a big-time tasting, stop at …
Casa Librandi Ciro, “Duca di San Felice” Riserva, 2003, DOC, Calabria
The Ciro DOC is home to Gaglioppo, a vigorous grape known as “The Black Prince.” Genetically related to Sicilian Frappato, it was used in ancient times to make crimissa. Today it …