From supermarket dross to the go-to white in the wine bars, how did Pinot Grigio?s transformation come about? Paul Pettengale explains that it?s all about quality… Though it?s rather hard to believe it, it wasn?t that long ago when any wine with Pinot Grigio on the label would be parked firmly at the bottom of […]
Although less well-known than its fellow Piedmontese wine greats, Barbera is a fine expression of just what this region is capable of, as Paul Pettengale discovers… Piedmont is an absolute star in the vast world of wine. Some of the greatest wines on the planet originate there ? notably the ?king? and ?queen? of wines, […]
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! […]
Grown around – and even on – the slopes of Mount Etna, the grape varieties that thrive in Sicilian soil make some of Italy’s finest white wines. Paul Pettengale investigates… Wine has been a way of life in Sicily for thousands of years. When the Greeks inhabited the island around 1500BC, they brought with them […]
The hot climate of the heel of Italy is perfect for crafting rich, robust red wines. Paul Pettengale heads south to discover some of Puglia’s finest… The wines made from grapes grown in the far south of Italy in the region of Puglia were once widely denigrated, and with good reason. Most of what was […]
Once a little-known region in terms of wine making, Friuli is now leading the world in the crafting of fine whites. Paul Pettengale explains why… The last time we dedicated a Drink Italia! column to the white wines of Friuli-Venezia Giulia was back in 2008. “It produces white wines that are not only considered to […]
Although it’s been around for a little more than 150 years, Brunello is one of Italy’s most famous and revered (not to mention expensive) wines. Paul Pettengale discovers why… No doubt the first thing you’ll clock will be the prices. These are not typos. The sad fact is, if you’re after viticultural perfection (and these […]