Italy
Italian Wines
The complexity of Italy is remarkable: so many different grapes, most autochthonous (i.e. native to Italy) and many only grown regionally.
The two key quality red grapes are: Sangiovese, grown all over Tuscany and beyond, and best known for Chianti, and reds made at Montepulciano and Montalcino; and Nebbiolo, the top red of Piedmont, best known for the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Beyond that there are splendid red grapes which can thrive in southern Italy’s heat, from Nero d’Avola and Negroamaro to Aglianico and Primitivo; and the lighter reds of Italy’s north, from Dolcetto to the west; and east of Milan Corvina and Rondinella, the grapes for Valpolicella and Amarone.
The success in the 1970s of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown on the Tuscan coast at Bolgheri persuaded many in Tuscany and further afield to plant these varieties, plus Syrah; but more recently growers seem to be pulling back from producing these so-called "Super Tuscans".
Italian wine production is marked by two strong and mutually supportive initiatives: the Slow Food movement, which started in Italy, and which celebrates small-scale, artisanal cellars; and a widespread adoption of organic cultivation. Several of our growers, including Di Filippo, Il Palagione and Fiorano farm organically.
Order Wines...
- Alphabetically
- By Price
- Date Added
Italy
-
Ca’ di Ponti, Nero d’Avola, DOC Sicilia, 2018
“Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2021”
-
Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2018
“Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet black fruit, generous, punchy and bold. Now-2021”
-
Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 2015
“90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot given two years in oak, the first in 500l, new, first fill and second; and the second year in large vats Sumptuous in...”
-
Begali, Valpolicella Classico, 2019
“2/3 Corvina and 1/3 Rondinella, offering a pretty and sappy mouthful of buckets of red cherries. Juicy and light, with a twist of cherrystem...”
-
Begali, Valpolicella Ripasso, La Cengia, 2018
“2/3 Corvina and 1/3 Rondinella, crafted in the Ripasso style by which the wine is left on the skins of the desiccated grapes used after the...”
-
Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2015
“Classic, larger-than-life Amarone: very deep tone; savoury aromas of leather and spice over black fruit; and then a rich mouthful of autumnal, black...”
-
Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Monte Ca’ Bianca, 2013
“From a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, all grown in the single Monte Ca’ Bianca vineyard, and all aged in French barriques, 1/3 new,...”
-
Taliano, A Bon Rendre, Barbera d'Alba, 2019
“A bon rendre – it delivers you goodness. We keep selling out of this friendly wine so have shipped more this year. Pretty cherry aromas. Ripe,...”
-
Fiorano, I Paoli, Marche Sangiovese, 2019
“This delightful Sangiovese, mainly from sixty year old vines, is Fiorano's principal wine, now renamed I Paoli after the owners Paolo Beretta...”
-
Begali, Recioto della Valpolicella, 2015 [50cl]
“Red Recioto della Valpolicella is made after careful late picking of ripe bunches (of Corvina and Rondinella grapes), which are then left to...”
-
Azienda Agricola Boasso, Dolcetto D'Alba, 2019
“Dolcetto, of Piedmont origin, means "little sweet" but the grape is usually vinified dry. It can be crafted to make diverse styles, from a...”
-
Talosa, Chianti Colli Senesi, 2019
“From the younger vines in the Talosa Montepulciano vineyards, this is 85% Sangiovese with 15% mixed between Merlot and local Canaiolo and Mammolo.”
-
Col di Lamo, Rosso di Montalcino, 2017
“100% organically farmed (in conversion) Sangiovese, aged in old vats. Youthful and a little reticent – so decant to drink soon. Lovely...”
-
Taliano, Blagheur, Nebbiolo d’Alba, 2018
“A delicious, authentic Nebbiolo, just rounded by a year of ageing in a mix of old oak vessels. Pretty strawberry scent, tinged with vanilla; and the...”
-
Tenuta Casali, Bassamarea Rosso, Sangiovese Rubicone, 2019
“A bright, young, country wine - vivid purple; fresh cherry perfume; all cherries and red berries with a little fat. Light, fresh and all too...”
-
Fiorano, Terre di Giobbe, Rosso Piceno Superiore, 2017
“80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese, aged in old French oak barrels. A big wine, concentrated and robust, liqueur cherries cut by brosk acidity....”
-
Begali, Valpolicella Classico Superiore, 2016
“A new wine for us from Begali, one of the founding members of Le Famiglie Storiche, the historic families of Amarone, an association formed in 2009...”
-
Azienda Agricola Boasso, Barbera d'Alba Superiore, 2018
“"Superiore" may be added if the wine is aged for a year prior to release, of which at least four months must in barrel. At Boasso this wine...”
-
Le Cinciole, Cinciorosso, IGT Toscana, 2018
“70% Sangiovese - from the younger vines at this organic Chianti Classico estate in Panzano - plus 15% each of Merlot and Syrah. No barrels, just from...”
-
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Lamole, 2018
“We shipped this wine last summer, little realising it would swiftly win two top accolades within Italy and high praise from Jancis Robinson, MW.”
-
I Fabbri, Chiant Classico Riserva, 2015
“A selection of the best bunches from the first days of harvest, 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo aged in French oak. "This opens...”
-
Taliano, Roche dra Bossora, Roero Riserva, 2016
“Named after large ravines which score the Roero hills (Roero lying just across the river Tanaro from Barbaresco). Soft, old velvet hue. Fine...”
-
Taliano, Barbaresco, Ad Altiora, Montersino 2016
“Ad Altiora implies aiming higher… This is from 100% Nebbiolo grown in the calcareous Bris Montersino vineyard. Lively black fruit with a tarry hint...”
-
MAGNUM Taliano, Barbaresco, Ad Altiora, Montersino 2016
“Ad Altiora implies aiming higher… This is from 100% Nebbiolo grown in the calcareous Bris Montersino vineyard. Lively black fruit with a tarry hint...”
-
DOUBLE MAGNUM Taliano, Barbaresco, Ad Altiora, Montersino 2016
“Ad Altiora implies aiming higher… This is from 100% Nebbiolo grown in the calcareous Bris Montersino vineyard. Lively black fruit with a tarry hint...”