When France was marketing its finest Bordeaux châteaux in the 1855 Classification, Italy was still battling to unify the country, running behind the latest viticulture and vinification techniques. However, the country has caught back for the last 50 years with the arrivals of young and talented winemakers.
The making of Italy's most prestigious wines
In Piedmont, Bruno Giacosa set up new standards for Barolo and Barbaresco when bottling single vineyards while Angelo Gaja was crafting his artisan wines and experimenting with new winemaking techniques.
In Tuscany, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta released Sassicaia, the first Super-Tuscan ever made in 1971 while his nephew, Piero Antinori, harvested Tignanello that same year. Lodovico, Piero’s brother, began his own project and will soon give birth to Ornellaia, Massetto and, more recently, Lodovico. Many cult wines followed with Tenuta di Trinoro, Testamatta and Galatrona being particularly popular with wine investors and the story doesn’t end up here. IPSUS, Giovanni Mazzei’s Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, is the latest to date, already swooping fantastic accolades while only its fourth vintage.
With many microclimates, soil compositions and various exposures, Italy has an incredible potential. Many regions are slowly stepping into the world of fine wines. Alto Adige offers stunning Pinot Noir, Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay from Weigut Gottardi and Cantina Terlano while Vie de Romans' incedible whites have put Friuli on the map. Sicily keeps rising the bar with Passopiscario the way for Mount Etna's wines while Campania offers stunning Greco di Tufo and Aglianico. There is a lot to look for in the coming years!
2024 - A dream year for wine collectors and investors
This year is a fantastic for Italian wine lovers with top vintages being released.
Brunello - 2019 is an outstanding vintage in Brunello with many wines achieving the perfect 100 points. Described as an easy vintage by many producers, they think this will be a historical vintage and are comparing it to 2016.
Barolo - Part of a glorious trilogy (2019, 2020, and 2021) the wines from 2020 are less structured than the long-lived 2019 but generously fruity, opulent and expressive making them more approachable in their youth and more Burgundian in style.
Chianti Classico – This is one to watch! The region has changed a lot over the past five years and is becoming one of Italy’s most dynamic appellations. The introduction of U.G.A (communal subzones) was a clever move attracting wine connoisseur across the globe. The 2021 vintage is looking very promising with lower yields and excellent quality so there are great expectations about these wines which will be released later this year. Read more about the UGA.
Bolgheri – 2021 was an excellent vintage in Bolgheri despite the hot weather. The wines have great concentration of fruits and are very well balanced with a beautiful freshness. Top performers includes Sassicaia achieving the perfect 100 points and Ornellaia. Most wines will be released in September.
2024 is definitely a year to stock up on wines from great current-release vintages, such as 2019 Brunello di Montalcino, 2020 Barolo and 2021 Chianti Classico. But be sure to save some funds (and cellar space) for the 2021s from Bolgheri – James Button, Decanter Magazine
The demand for Italy’s prestigious wines is stronger than ever. They are competing with the finest Bordeaux and Burgundy and are well sought-after by wine collectors across the globe. As an Italian Fine Wine Specialist, we take pride in offering the latest releases of the country’s most iconic wines as well as sourcing ready to drink vintages. Please email info@petershamcellar.com for more information.