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Unveiling the Diverse Palette of Sicily: New Releases and Beyond
Italy: Center & South, featured
, 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.
Getting in on the Ground Floor: Aglianico del Vulture
Italy: Center & South, featured
, 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.
Breaking the Mold: Campania’s Push to Reinvent Itself
Italy: Center & South, featured
, 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.
Marche Stays the Course Amidst Future Uncertainty
Italy: Center & South, featured
, 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.
Sardinia: Winemaking in the Extreme
Italy: Center & South, featured, Italy
, Nov 2023
Wild, rich, exotic, warming and seductive, the wines of Sardinia are unlike any others in Italy. While sometimes over-the-top, it's impossible to deny the sheer pleasure of exploring wines that showcase the unique personalities of the island's indigenous and not-so-indigenous varieties.
Tipping the Scales: New Releases from Umbria
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Oct 2023
Fans of big, robust, age-worthy reds and whites should note that producers in Umbria are pushing the quality needle from Montefalco to Orvieto. The region is determined to prove its worth on the international wine scene.
Surpassing Expectations: New Releases from Sicily
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Sep 2023
It’s incredible how much Sicily has improved in such a short period. What was once a selection of hit-or-miss, over-stylized, oaky and often rustic wines has become one of my favorite annual tastings. Quality continues to rise, and prices remain fair, meaning consumers can now find some seriously world-class wines here.
Chomping at the Bit: New Releases from Abruzzo
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Aug 2023
Following my visit to Abruzzo in 2022, I cited a list of issues within the region that were holding producers back. Some even toyed with the idea of leaving the DOC altogether. However, the response from the Consorzio over the last few years, while not without its own issues, has been quite positive.
Southern Italy: Diamonds in the Rough
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Jul 2023
Southern Italy struggles with several issues that have prevented it from realizing its true potential. The regions of Basilicata, Calabria, Puglia, Lazio and Molise each wrestle with their own challenges, yet there are many diamonds in the rough.
Campania: Change Is Imminent…Or Is It?
Italy: Center & South, featured
, Jun 2023
Even with a tremendous surge in quality, Campania’s wines have yet to win over the average consumer. A core of old and new producers is determined to change that.