The regeneratively farmed vineyards of villa creek copy cover

Paso Robles 2021-2023: Far From Typical

featured, United States: California

Eric Guido, Jul 2024

Paso Robles fans have reasons to be optimistic. Following the challenging, smoke-affected 2020 vintage, the 2021s are truly fantastic. Although the 2022s are not as captivating, the 2023s may outpace them all.

Old vines that create the rosso del conte at tasca's tenuta regaleali estate 2 copy

Unveiling the Diverse Palette of Sicily: New Releases and Beyond

Italy: Center & South, featured

Eric Guido, Jun 2024

Sicily has impressed me over the last decade, surpassing expectations and proving its worth in the grand scheme of Italian wine. My recent trip reconfirmed that the region's forward momentum is far from over, from the simple yet wonderfully pure weeknight quaffers to the highest levels of fine wine from Mount Etna. Through it all, I get the feeling that this is just the beginning of Sicily’s rise.

Cover cellars dug into the volcanic cliffs of vulture copy

Getting in on the Ground Floor: Aglianico del Vulture

Italy: Center & South, featured

Eric Guido, May 2024

Aglianico del Vulture is the best source for world-class, long-lived Italian wines that have yet to gain full recognition. This is one of the most improved categories in Italy. It won’t be long before the rest of the world catches on.

In taurasi at the cinque querce vineyard of salvatore molettieri 4 copy

Breaking the Mold: Campania’s Push to Reinvent Itself

Italy: Center & South, featured

Eric Guido, May 2024

Producers in Campania continue to go against the grain in an attempt to overcome the reputation of the past. The purity and quality of Aglianico, Piedirosso and Fiano across the region continue to rise. Moreover, the best of these wines offer tremendous value.

An experimental nursery of vine maintained by the sartarelli family copy

Marche Stays the Course Amidst Future Uncertainty

Italy: Center & South, featured

Eric Guido, May 2024

The writing for Marche is on the wall. Quality remains exceptionally high. A new focus on terroir and a focus on exalting a sense of place has been wildly successful. Moreover, the wines remain extremely well-priced. That said, Marche faces significant challenges in maintaining its share of international markets.

Hillside collio vineyards overlooking the town of cormons copy cover

Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Both Sides of the Spectrum

featured, Italy: North

Eric Guido, Apr 2024

Two successive warm and drought-filled years challenged winemakers in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, yet the 2021s and 2022s still offer plenty of pleasure. Readers will find many beautifully balanced yet sun-kissed wines. Unfortunately, others lack substance and come across as aromatically challenged, ripe and one-dimensional.

The village of kurtatsch and its surrounding vineyards courtesy of benjamin pfitscher cover copy

Trentino-Alto Adige: Pushing the Limits

featured, Italy: North

Eric Guido, Mar 2024

Over the past two decades, Trentino-Alto Adige was largely unaffected by the negative impact of climate change yet is now dealing with successive warm vintages. While we can still depend on their production of cool, crisp whites and alpine reds, recent years have reshaped the wines and forced producers to begin thinking outside of the box.

Overlooking brazzano di cormons from the borgo di tiglio vineyards  copy

Borgo del Tiglio Rosso Riserva: The Road Less Traveled

Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, Italy: North

Eric Guido, Mar 2024

Why would one of the greatest producers of white wine in Italy want to organize a tasting of the second label of their red wine? This is the question that was on my mind as I drove down the country road that leads to Cormòns, the small hamlet that is home to Borgo del Tiglio.

Looking out toward the historic town of %c5%a0martno from the gonja%c4%8de lookout tower copy

Slovenia: Just the Beginning

featured, Slovenia

Eric Guido, Mar 2024

So similar to northeastern Italy yet alien all the same, the wines of Slovenia are increasingly of note. The country is exploding with new projects, young talents and even cross-border collaborations. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor.

Cabernet sauvignon  cab france and merlot in the piaggia vineyards copy

Carmignano, Montecucco and Tuscany’s Unrivaled Diversity

featured, Italy: Tuscany

Eric Guido, Mar 2024

It pays to explore beyond Chianti Classico, Montalcino and Montepulciano when looking for a diverse range of high-quality Sangioveses and blends across Tuscany. The wines of Carmignano and Montecucco are some of the region's best, often at prices that won’t break the bank.