Wine Enthusiast – Vanilla and toasted coconut open the nose of this wine, before being joined by bright strawberry-cherry and stony underbrush. Strawberries and wild green watermelon notes perk up the palate, with more vanilla and also milk chocolate. Tannins are beginning to uncoil but acid remains present and accounted for.
James Suckling – A super-clean, fruity red with juicy blackcurrant and dark cherry character. Medium-bodied with very fine, fruit-coated tannins and a fresh finish.
World Wine – "Lustrous deep ruby. Bright sour-cherry nose with savoury, minerally notes and what smells like a note of oak. Fantastic balance between succulent fruit, lots of juicy acidity and gripping but ripe tannins. Tactile fireworks." Walter Spencer (jancisrobinson.com)
James Suckling – A firm and silky red with cherry, dried flower and orange peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh and focused finish. Needs a little time to soften but I already enjoy the energy here.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The Fèlsina 2021 Chianti Classico Berardenga has a spicy or crunchy side that I often find with Sangiovese. There is a lot of fruit brightness here with cassis, red cherry, mineral, dried tobacco and grilled rosemary. This is an easy-drinking Tuscan red with the natural acidity and brightness to pair with a classic lasagna or eggplant parmigiana.
James Suckling – The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino blends richness, ripeness, and refinement to create a model of total balance. At first, it's dark, earthy, and herbal; yet with time in the glass, a massive wave of black cherry, raspberry, sage, and a grounding note of undergrowth comes forward. In the mouth, it coats all that it touches in silky, cool-toned textures, giving way to ripe red/black fruits complemented by spiced citrus, as nuances of lavender and tobacco form. While this feels round and pliant throughout, fine-grain tannins slowly saturate, sneaking up and reminding you of just how young 2018 really is today. Hints of baker's chocolate, licorice, and a twang of tart blackberry resonate - wow, does it ever end?
James Suckling – Aromas of chocolate and dark fruit with hints of blackberries, cherries and hazelnuts. Medium body, fine tannins with hints of herbs and dark fruit, and a lovely finish. Sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah.
Wine Spectator – The picture of harmony, elegance and purity, this red features black cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Starts out supple, with vibrant acidity and firm tannins emerging on the finish. Drink now through 2033.
Wine Enthusiast – Ripe and sour cherry and vanilla bean come out on the nose and again on the palate. A decisively salty, mineral streak comes through, with concentrated tannins and substantial acidity.
World Wine – "Lustrous ruby with orange tinges. Brooding nose with sweet earthy notes. This is from a single, high-elevation vineyard in Lamole, but seems more plush than Fontodi's 2019 offering. Deep, concentrated pure cherry palate of amazing length and with lots of juice and persistent gravelly, clinging tannins on the finish." Walter Spencer (jancisrobinson.com)
James Suckling – Darker fruit on the nose with walnut, spice box, incense and espresso bean, too. Medium-bodied, firm and structured with polished tannins and a creamy, compact mid-palate. Quality dark oak spice throughout. Long and rich. Better from 2024.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – An icon wine of Tuscany, the Fèlsina 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia (with 48,000 bottles made) is distinguished by its special aromatic fingerprint that truly brings us to a sense of place. At its heart, the wine reveals dark fruit and plum. More interesting, however, are the dusty mineral sensations that give so much texture and depth to the Rancia. These aromas can only be found in Sangiovese from the galestro and alberese-rich soils of Chianti Classico. This vintage follows up with sweet tobacco, toasted chestnut and scorched earth. Give this wine more time to flesh out and evolve in the bottle.
Wine Enthusiast – The nose on this wine is reserved, delicate and approachable. It opens with a strong presence of eucalyptus and sambuca flower followed by gunpowder, slate, brick and bright cherries. The palate is still very herbaceous, giving way to coffee grinds, chocolate and more cherries. Tannins still feel dense but not impenetrable, and acid lends crunch to the fruit.?
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva is an organic blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot. I can't say enough good things about Barbara Widmer and her winemaking efforts in this wild and forested corner of Radda in Chianti. Her wines always express clarity and focus, and this is especially clear in a mid-range product like this. This vintage offers more concentration and darkness for sure, followed by blackberry and wild plum. There is oaky cinnamon and sweet spice at the back.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The 2018 Perlato del Bosco is a pure expression of Sangiovese that can be considered its own little island of winemaking within the Tua Rita portfolio. Sangiovese is always a gamble when cultivated within close proximity of the coastline. But in the deft hands of the Tua Rita team, the grape offers a new side that is worlds apart from the aromas and flavors we associate with other celebrated expressions made in Montalcino and Chianti Classico, both located further inland. This wine reminds me of the Poggio Valente by Fattoria Le Pupille (also 100% Sangiovese from Maremma). That's a wine that always punches above its weight, as is this. In fact, both Perlato del Bosco and Poggio Valente are guided by consulting winemaker Luca D'Attoma. This wine is aged in large oak casks (20 hectoliters) to allow for slow and careful integration. Past vintages went into barrique, but one of the big changes recently was to move this wine to bigger, more traditional oak vessels that are better suited to this this sometimes-difficult grape that can easily go flat with too much oxygen. These results speak of Tuscany, and you get wild berries and cherries with some of the brambly, Mediterranean notes that give the wine a lasting sense of place. Some 35,000 bottles were produced, and this wine hits the market in October 2020.
Italy's winemaking legacy spans thousands of years, with each region boasting its distinct characteristics and traditions. From the northern alpine terrains of Alto Adige to the southern volcanic soils of Campania, the country offers a vast palette of flavors and styles.
One of Italy's most renowned wine regions, Tuscany, is home to the famed Sangiovese grape, the primary constituent of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Meanwhile, Piedmont in the northwest is celebrated for its robust and age-worthy Barolos and Barbarescos, made from the Nebbiolo grape. Further south, the island of Sicily brings forth wines made from indigenous grapes like Nero d'Avola and Grillo, reflecting the island's rich history and multicultural influences.
The diversity in Italy's wine offerings is not just about grape varieties but also the winemaking methods. While some producers adhere to age-old traditions, others embrace modern techniques, resulting in wines that are both innovative and reflective of their terroir. This harmonious blend of old and new, tradition and innovation, has solidified Italy's position as a wine powerhouse, offering bottles that resonate with both connoisseurs and novices.
Italy is the largest wine-producing country, making 30% more wine than the number two and three spots, Spain and France. Italy is also amongst the most prominent wine consumers and exporters. Italy is a synonym for wine, and Italian wine has no equal in terms of variety, quality and prestige. Italy is home to hundreds of unique wine grapes not found anywhere else, so Italian wine is hard to replicate. For the real deal, you must try what comes out of the country’s cellars, and that’s quite an adventure. Italian wine can be red, white or rosé; dry, semi-sweet or dessert-like; still or bubbly. There’s an Italian wine for every palate, budget and occasion. Let’s talk about the most popular Italian wines and how to find the best wines for you.
The most famous wines in Italy vary depending on what you’re looking for. For age-worthy red wines, those from Piedmont, made with Nebbiolo, or the many expressions of Sangiovese, in Tuscany, are a great start. For crisp white wines, few regions are so dependable as Veneto, Friuli and the Trentino Alto Adige. Even warm southern Italy is the source of striking white and red wine. The most popular Italian wines are often labelled as DOCG; they’re the best of the best. Of course, there is good wine at the DOC and IGT levels, and they’re rarely as pricey as DOCG wines.
Italian wine can be classified by region, as all twenty regions in the country produce wine. Some regions, such as Tuscany, Piedmont and Sicily, have gained recognition for full-bodied red wines. Still, even these regions produce white wine. Interestingly, Italian wine styles are often compatible with the food typical of their region. Wine and food are two sides of the same coin, and that’s particularly true for Italy. For sparkling wine, look for Prosecco. For a nice red, Barolo, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino are worthy of memorable occasions. And then we have all types of wine for everyday enjoyment, from wine from Sardinia to that made up on the foothills of the Alps.
Most Italian wine is not expensive, as it is part of people's diet. Everyday wine in Italy is as good as any, but the most memorable wines, those from prestigious sites, can undoubtedly be expensive. Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone Della Valpolicella, Franciacorta and the famous Super Tuscans are among the best and most notorious Italian wines. They’re on the expensive side. Fair value wine comes from every Italian region, but Chianti, Valpolicella, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the wines coming from Sicily and Sardinia are also well priced and spectacular.
The best Italian wines depend on what you need. Robust red wines, sparkling wines or dessert wines. The country has it all. To ensure you get the good stuff, source wine at the DOC and DOCG levels. However, wine at IGT levels is often good for casual get-togethers. To find the best Italian wines, explore our collection at World Wine. The best source of Italian wine in Australia.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.