The unique climates of Sicily and Sardinia make for wines that are quite unlike those from mainland Italy. Paul Pettengale samples a selection of Italian Island white wines… My first experience of a white wine from one of the Italian islands was while sat (really) on the dock of a bay with my wife (then girlfriend) […]
SOAVE When the Soave zone was mapped out in 1927 it was a slim strip between Soave and Monteforte d’Alene. This is old volcanic land, with mineral-rich but poor soil, perfect to challenge vines and produce nuanced grapes, and an aromatically full Soave. The area is now known as the Soave Classico zone, because in […]
If not the most famous, Barolo is the most venerated Italian red wine, with prices to match. Hannah Bellis explores the bottles that deserve their kingly reputation Like many of us, I suspect, I discovered the unique pleasures of Barolo late in the course of my wine-drinking. This is due to the sheer […]
Italian red wine: Dolcetto D’Alba Hannah Bellis goes beyond the famous and expensive Barolo and Barbaresco wines to discover Dolcetto, a great value, easy drinking red wine from Piedmont Piedmont was the first region I visited when I was old enough to appreciate wine. I was still too young to afford the legendary Barolos of […]
Italian white wine production is dominated by the north, and the northeast in particular. But what else is on offer? Paul Pettengale heads south and to Italy’s islands… Are you bored of Pinot Grigio yet? No, we’re not either, but it does become somewhat tiresome when – if you like your Italian white wines – […]
It is often mistaken for being from Abruzzo, but this lesser-known Italian red wine from a village in Tuscany is an absolute gem, as Paul Pettengale discovers… Tuscany is, as any wine lover will attest, one of the most important of Italy’s wine-producing zones, especially when it comes to the reds. The various Chianti wines […]
Known for its majestic red wines, Piedmont is often overlooked when it comes to Italian white wines. But why? Paul Pettengale introduces you to the surprise hit of Gavi… The people of Piedmont are fiercely passionate about their region. And with good reason. Even though the north western area is cooler than the country?s southern […]
What better way to complete a dessert, and indeed a meal, than to compliment it with a glass of sweet Italian dessert wine? Paul Pettengale indulges his love of la dolce vita? The Italians are well known for their love of all things sweet. No meal is finished until dessert has been savoured, whether a […]
A raised glass of Prosecco is ubiquitous with celebration, so we enrolled the entire Italia! team for this wine review… For this Drink Italia! we?ve gathered together a selection of Prosecco wines to enjoy and to deliver you our verdict. And in a break with tradition, we?ve opened up the tasting to the entire Italia! […]