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Issue 392 - October 28st - Novermber 2nd - Expressly created for 11.897 wine lovers,
professionals and opinion leaders from all over the world |
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The Lessinia sparkling wine district is consolidating. Bubbles only will be produced on the hills between the provinces of Verona and Vicenza and only one vine, the native Durella, which will have two identities: the “Lessini Durello”, Charmat method, and the “Monti Lessini” classic method. In this way it will be free of the name of the variety and instead adopt that of the territory. A modification will change the name “Monti Lessini”, up until now designated to still wines, but today practically no longer requested, to welcome bubbles at the top of the quality pyramid. The denomination produces more than one million bottles, but the potential is more than 8 million bottles. |
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International wine rankings are still being published and are continuing to reward Italian wines. Italy boasts 17 wines on Wine Enthusiast’s the “Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2018” (whose Italian editor is Kerin O’Keefe). This is the selection of those wines that according to the US magazine’s wine tasters are worth leaving a few extra years in the cellar to allow them to express their full potential. Italy has three wines in the top ten positions: Brunello di Montalcino 2013 of Le Chiuse at number 2 (following a legend like Château Lafite Rothschild 2015, at number 1), Soave Classico Calvarino 2015 by Pieropan at number 6, and Brunello di Montalcino Vineyard of Pianrosso Santa Caterina d’Oro Riserva 2012 by Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona at number 8. The Italian selection of wines, reds and whites, ranges from Alto Adige to Sicily (of course Piedmont and Tuscany dominate, as is tradition), which is a sign that Italy has become increasingly more expert in many territories and many varieties, at producing wines for ageing. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012 by Conti Costanti holds position number 13, followed by Barbaresco Rio Sordo Riserva 2013 of the Produttori del Barbaresco, at number 18, Barolo Villero 2013 in Oddero at number 21, and Barolo Bric del Fiasc by Paolo Scavino at number 24. To follow this trio of Piedmont wines, there is a trio of Sicilians: Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose 2015 by Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Etna, at number 27, Planeta Santa Cecilia Nero d’Avola 2013 at number 29, and Sicilian Terre Contrada S. Nerello Mascalaese 2016 of Passopisciaro at number 32. Lessona 2012 by Proprietà Sperino holds position nubmer 34, followed by Chianti Rufina Vineyard Bucerchiale Riserva 2013 of Selvapiana at number 43, and Taurasi Lonardo Vigne d’Alto 2012 of Contrade di Taurasi at number 58. Then, from Alto Adige, Feldmarschall Von Fenner Müller-Thurgau 2016 by Tiefenbrunner, at number 61, and closing the “Italian lot”, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Mulinvecchio 2014 by Contucci at number 65, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna of Sorbo 2014 of Fontodi at number 66, and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma Riserva 2012 by Masciarelli, at number 96. |
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“Formerly a Savoy fortress, cradle of the Unification of Italy and driving force of industry in the 20th century, aware of its strengths but not always capable of showing them”, and thanks to its cultural vivacity, “the Alpine paths, villages and rural valleys offering some of the best red wines and white truffles in Italy, the long-standing secret may not be only for the more informed travelers”. This is Piedmont, number one on the Top 10 list of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2019. It is no coincidence Slow Food was founded here as well as the University of Pollenzo. Plus, Langhe, Roero and Monferrato UNESCO Heritage sites, Alba or the Alta Langa, the “underground cathedrals” of Canelli or Gattinara. Its cuisine, rich in tradition and starred restaurants, Barolo and Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti and Asti, Gavi or Nizza DOCG and, the beauty of Turin. |
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The fine wine market knows no crisis. Following the first half of 2018, which was outstanding for the big auction houses, and the two bottles of Romanée-Conti 1945, sold at record prices by Sotheby’s in New York in October, for 496.000 and 558.000 dollars, the Liv- Ex market benchmark on the London platform explains the “exposure” (the total value of supply and demand) exceeded 50 million pounds, i.e., twice as much as 3 years ago. This growth is due to the fact that the market is expanding, both in terms of enthusiasts as well as in terms of offers (for example, the launch of the new index dedicated to Port, “Port 50”, is imminent). Furthermore, all the main indices have been growing since the beginning of the year. In 2018, Liv-Ex 1000 (September figure) has earned 9.03%, and Burgundy 150 went up to 23.9%. Italy 100 is also booming, at + 5%, since the beginning of the year, which is the index that takes into consideration the last 10 physical years of the five big “Supertuscans” (Masseto, Ornellaia, Sassicaia of Tenuta San Guido, and Solaia and Tignanello by Antinori) as well as five other big names of Italian wine (Barbaresco and Sorì San Lorenzo by Gaja, Barolo Cascina Francia by Giacomo Conterno, Redigaffi by Tua Rita and Guado al Tasso by Antinori). |
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n the history of Biondi Santi’s Greppo Estate, the winery that invented Brunello di Montalcino in the nineteenth century, a new chapter is about to be opened. Following the important investment the EPI Group made in 2017, the Group has chosen one of the top managers in the wine world to be the new CEO, starting November 2018, Giampiero Bertolini, formerly Marchesi Frescobaldi’s “Marketing & Sales Director”. Tancredi and Jacopo Biondi Santi will ensure continuity and the presence of the Biondi Santi family in the company. |
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History and research, past and future, public and private, this is the vision of the project that will connect DOC Sicily, the University of Palermo and the Botanical Garden of the city, one of the most important in Italy and not only, which will be the home of the native vines of the island - Grillo, Catarratto, Zibibbo, Nero d’Avola, Perricone and Frappato - to be planted and cultivated right in the heart of the city of Palermo. The vine varieties, two specimens for each single antique cultivar, will return to what was once the “Vigna del Gallo” of the Dukes of Archirafi, where the Botanical Garden has been standing since 1795. The vineyard will be cultivated using organic farming methods, following ancient traditions. |
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There can now be no more doubts that 2018 was an abundant year for the production of wine globally. In the Old Country, to the OIV, this year’s production should reach 282 million hectoliters, one of the highest ever in the third millennium, which registered a growth of 31 million hectoliters (+12%) compared to the extremely scarce 2017 harvest. In the European Union, production has been estimated to reach 168.4 million hectoliters and Italy will absolutely be the world’s leading producer reaching 48.5 million hectoliters. |
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