Italian Wine

Wine production in Tuscany

Tuscan wines have a worldwide reputation. Antinori is a world famous Italian winemaker from Tuscany and one of the oldest family-owned wine companies in the world. And Ornellaia is an estate which quickly rose to the top of the so-called Super Tuscan wines. Sassicaia was the first Italian wine to experiment with Bordeaux style wine making and is part of the impressive portfolio of Tenuta San Guido. Le Macchiole is the winery that first had the courage to release 100% Cabernet Franc from Tuscany.

Tuscan wines are mainly red wines. Most wines are made from the sangiovese grape, but there are also Italian red wines from Tuscany produced that are not made from the sangiovese grape. In that case, Bordeaux and Rhone wines grape varieties are used. Some of these wines are high quality wines and are highly sought after, the so called Super Tuscans. 

Check all Tuscan wines on the Tuscan wine page.

To select a good Tuscan wine can be a challenge. We can give recommendations based on personal favour and budget. Some of our top selling Tuscan wines are:

Wine production in Piemonte

Piemonte is known for its Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera wines. In almost every higher end wineshop or restaurant you will have to opportunity to buy or drink these wines. These wines can be world class.

There are dozens of high quality winemakers in Piemonte and several have a worldwide recognition, like Giacomo Conterno who was one of the first producers to deliberately let the Barolos ferment for a long time and let them mature in large wooden barrels. Another famous Barolo winemaker is Gaja, which produces over 40 different red and white wines, including Grappa (Eau de Vie). Roberto Voerzio, despite for its relatively short period of operations, is one of the most regarded wine producers in Piemonte with a limited number of produced wines yearly. And the focus on sustainability within Piemonte is already there for decades. The Ceretto's family's dedication to sustainability is reflected in the fact that all wines obtained organic certification in the EU in 2015, and many of its vineyards are farmed biodynamically

The Barolo and |Barbaresco wines are the most famous wines from Piemonte, but also Barbera wines may not be underestimated.

Check all Piemonte wines on our Piemonte wine page.

Some of our recommended wines from Piemonte are:

Barolo wine producers

Barolo is directly associated with Italy and for good reason. barolo wines are exemplary for the high quality of Italian winemaking. And a Barolo can age for decades. Do you see a Barolo of a renowned winemaker on a winelist 40 years of age? High chance this wine will be at its top.

Famous Barolo and Barbaresco winemakers are numerous. Bruno Giacosa is considered one of the legendary winemakers of the world, having crafted the most prestigious single-vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco wines during his career spanning nearly eight decades. The Burlotto wines are highly regarded this distinguished family history dates back to the 1800s. And besides Barolo, Luigi Oddero also produces high quality Barbera wines. His Barolo La Morra and Barolo Castiglione are well known. And winemaker Vietti is a producer of many different barolos and some really outstanding like the Ravera and Cerequio.

Check for more information about barolo on our Barolo page. 

Barbaresco wine producers

Besides Barolo, its neighbour Barbaresco is of the same quality. Maybe less known, but wine lovers all over the world are vlooking for rare high end Barbaresco wines.

Many wine producers which make Barolo also offer Barbaresco wines like La Spinetta. Check for more information about barbaresco on our Barbaresco page.

Brunello di Montalcino wine producers

As famous as Barolo: Brunello di Montalcino wine from the Montalcino region is exclusively made from from the sangiovese grape,

Brunello wines are made by some very small boutique wineries to large worldwide operating companies. And from relatively recently started winemakers to winemakers which have a history of 50 years or more like Biondi Santi with its gorgeous and aromatic Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. The much smaller winemaker Soldera is known for its beautiful Brunellos, but unfortuntaly also for its loss of 6 vintages, because of vandalism. Worldwide operating Banfi is located in the heart ot Tuscany and produces a series of Brunello wines, with some exceptional high price-quality Riserva wines. And Casanova di Neri is known for its famolus 100 point scoring Cerretalto wines.

Check for more information about Brunello on our Brunello page.

Chianti wine producers

Maybe one of the oldest brands of wine from Italy, dating back to almost 1000 years ago. Chianti has had its up and downs in quality and fame, but the last decades its star has risen again and now stands out for its high quality wines. A chianti is a well protected wine brand and must contain at least 75% Sangiovese.

Besides the evolution of Chianti as a wine, winemakers also adapt quickly to the changing markets. Querciabella's expansion across Chianti Classico has been gradual, with each site surrounded by oak forests and olive groves. Caggio produces its high scoring and rare Ipsus Chianti Classico and is the flagship of this remarkable wine estate. Castello di Ama, is famous for its L'Apparita Chianti wines which always scores very high in blind tastings.

Check for more information about Chianti on our Chianti page.

Abruzzo wine producers

Abruzzo is a region with on the east coast the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range in the west. The region is famous for It’s use of the Montepulciano variety, which is not to be confused with the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG from the town Montepulciano in Tuscany, other commonly used varieties are the Trebbiano and Pecorino.

Some great examples from the Abruzzo are Emidio Pepe with it’s DOCG Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane and Valentini wines.

For more wines from Abruzzo see our Abruzzo wine page.

Amarone wine producers

Amarone wines are a breed apart and unique in the world, produced in the Veneto and Valpolicella wine region. The method of winemaking is something special and called 'appassimento' which means whithering or drying out. Then the wine is aged in casks for two to five years, depending on the quality level. 

Some well known producers of Amarone wines are Dal Forno, its Lodoletta Amarone is well sought after. The range of Amarone wines varies from straightforward to very exclusive Riserva wines. Quintarelli produces exclusive and rare Amarones and Riserva Amarone. Quintarelli also produces a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot belnd wine, the Rosso del Bepi and the white Bianco Secco and Amabile del Cere. The Tommasi family runned Amarone winemaker is more well known as it produces larger quantities of Amarone.

Check for more information about Amarone on our Amarone page.

Legendary wines from Italy

To become a legendary wine, a wine must be highly rated, must be appreciated by many wine lovers, must be rare and much sought after and lastly: the wine must be several decades old and preferably still drinkable. As many high quality Italian wines ages gracefully and long term, there are many legendary Italian wines.