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An Eruption of Fine Wine on Mount Etna
Italy: Center & South, featured
, May 2025
Mount Etna has arrived. Long anticipated to join the ranks of Piedmont, Montalcino and Burgundy, Etna has established itself as a world-class viticultural zone. The region’s intricate array of contrade, distinctive vineyards and diverse terroirs yields site-transparent wines of incredible complexity. Mount Etna and its winemakers are poised to finally receive the attention they deserve.
Emilia-Romagna: Chomping at the Bit
Italy: Center & South, featured
, May 2025
Emilia-Romagna is transforming before our eyes. Winemakers are redefining the boundaries of Sangiovese, offering surprising depth and a newfound purity, while categories like Lambrusco have started down a more artisanal path. The only thing holding the region back is Mother Nature.
Abruzzo Weathers the Storm: Surviving the 2023 and 2024 Vintages
Italy: Center & South, featured
, May 2025
Being a winemaker in Abruzzo these days is a challenge. While the area undergoes massive changes to reform its DOC, reorganize its subregions, keep bottling of Montepulciano within the region and work out a system to add place names to its labels, Abruzzo has also endured two of the most difficult vintages imaginable. Somehow, the best winemakers persevere and continue to keep spirits high.
The Brutal Beauty of Sardinia: The 2022 and 2023 Vintages
Sardinia, Italy, featured
, Apr 2025
Sardinia continues to thrive despite a climate that is searingly hot and incredibly dry. Navigating the region isn’t easy, as the island can seem like a continent due to its size, but the effort is certainly rewarding. Between its compelling native varieties, diverse terroir and high concentration of skilled winemakers, Sardinia is positioned for greatness.
Southern Italy: Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria & Molise
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Mar 2025
The wines of southern Italy present many challenges for the discerning consumer. While the potential for excellence exists, winemakers often focus on making forward, easy-drinking wines. A number of cultural factors may contribute to this trend, including wineries prioritizing local sales and a general reluctance to embrace innovation. Nonetheless, many exceptional estates are widely deserving of considerable attention.
Unearthing Tuscan Gems: Carmignano, Montecucco and Beyond
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Mar 2025
Tuscany offers a wealth of exceptional wines, from Sangiovese to international varieties, that thrive throughout its lesser-known locations. This report highlights nearly 200 wines, many from emerging terroirs, aiming to uncover hidden gems and showcase the full breadth of Tuscany's winemaking potential.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: An Unstoppable Force
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Feb 2025
The wines of Montepulciano have never been better. This article arrives just in time for the debut of the region’s new Pieve classification. While the region has its headwinds, the sky seems to be the limit for Montepulciano these days.
A Vintage of Transcendence: 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Retrospective
Italy: Tuscany, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured
, Jan 2025
The 2004 vintage in Montalcino will always be remembered for its balance, embodying the pursuit of purity that emerged before the full force of climate change set in. Now, two decades later, how have the wines aged?
‘Tis The Season for Sparkling Wine
Italy, featured
, Dec 2024
The holiday season is prime time for sparkling wine consumption and gifting. While consumers have many choices, Italian sparkling wines offer tremendous diversity and value. Think outside of the box and reap the rewards.
Better Late than Never: The 2022 Vintage in Washington State
United States: Washington, featured
, Dec 2024
My ears perk up with excitement when I hear of cool, extended growing seasons in any region. So, how did Washington State producers fare in the idiosyncratic 2022 vintage? Success wasn’t easy to come by, but it also wasn’t unattainable.