Orsolani 2006 Erbaluce “La Rustia”, Caluso DOC Along the Dora Baltea river in northwestern Piemonte is the town if Caluso, center for the Erbaluce di Caluso DOC. The eponymous grape, named for the goddess Albaluce, takes on a bright...

Mastroberardino Aglianico Passito “Antheres”, NV, Irpinia IGT, Campania With the holidays upon us thoughts turn to sumptuous meals and the bounty of late autumn as it folds into winter..and wines to enjoy as an...

Benini 2006 “Sassotondo”, Maremma Toscana IGT The Tuscan Maremma is becoming the place to go for lighter, softer reds, a contrast to earthy Chianti Classico and brooding Brunellos. In the airy hills of Grosseto province Sangiovese is...

Ascevi 2005 Sauvignon Blanc “Ronco die Sassi”, Collio DOC, Friuli French varietals have a long history in Italy, most notably in Friuli. Commitment to producing monovarietal white wines has put a uniquely Italian stamp on those grapes...

Tenuta Uccillino 2004 Burson Riserva, IGT, Emilia-Romagna The wines of the Emilia-Romagna have always been pushed to the background by the gastronomic delights of Bologna, Parma and Modena. Understandable when you factor in that for decades the...

Borgo Conventi 2007 Friulano, Collio DOC, Friuli During the 1970s winemakers in Friuli proved the aesthetic and commercial viability of monovarietals that showcased the region’s unique mesoclimates and cultural influences. One of the most...

Moletto 2004 “La Pisara”, Salento IGT, Puglia By now most oenophiles know about the Primitivo-Zinfandel connection. And most would be able to sniff and sip the differences in a North American zin and a dark, spicy, mildly tannic...

Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Riserva “Vigna Bucerchiale”, 2003, Toscana Of the seven sub-zones of the Chianti DOCG outside the Classico area, Rufina is the most highly regarded. Tucked into the foothills approaching the...

Tomas and Giesen “Munir Bianco” 2006, IGT, Sicilia Cataratto is one of the most widely planted grapes in Italy. It accounts for over half of Sicily’s vineyard acres and is known primarily for use as a bulk wine grape or as part...

Gaudio Grignolino “Brico Mandolino”, 2005, DOC, Piemonte One of the fascinating aspects of Italian wine is the number of varietals that are under the radar, especially in areas of renown such as Tuscany and the Piedmont. It’s...

Terre Nera 2005 “Calderara Sottana”, Etna DOC, Sicilia The volcanic soils of the Etna DOC, like those created by the ancient activity of Campania’s Vesuvio, impart to its wines an expression of southern Italian power and flavor....

Mesa 2006 “Buio”, Carignano di Sulcis DOC, Sardinia Those Sardinian wines that don’t compromise cultural fidelity have a feral, not-for-everyone quality that evokes their rocky, wind swept terroir. A sense of mystery, intrigue,...

Abbazia di Novacella 2007 Kerner, Alto Adige DOC 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 is...

Sella & Mosca 2004 Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva, DOC, Sardegna Located in the northwesteren part of the island, Sella & Mosca has become Sardinia’s signature winery. Its vast acres of vineyards have made it and Argiolas the names...

Ornella Molon Raboso, 2003, Pieve DOC, Veneto Though it has been vinified since the pre-Roman era and was once an important wine for trade by Venetian merchants (when it was known as recaldina), Raboso literally lost ground to Merlot and Cabernet...

Badia di Morrona 2000 “Nantia”, Toscana IGT 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...

Cantina Cardeto “Rupestro”, 2005, IGT, 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...

Antiche Vigneti di Cantalupo “Primagenia” 2005, Piemonte The Colline Novarese DOC is located in the smaller cluster of designated zones in northern Piemonte that includes Gattinara and Ghemme, two familiar names for devotees of...