Wine Enthusiast – Freshly turned soil, spent coffee grounds and pencil shavings are on the nose with just a hint of dried cherry opening onto a palate bursting with fresh cherries and orange peel, structured by tannins that are welcoming but nonetheless hold their integrity.
James Suckling – Composed entirely of Sangiovese, the 2019 Fontalloro is a compelling wine, with layers of graphite, leather, cherry licorice, and Mediterranean herbs. Medium to full bodied, it has a weightless feel, although it is not lacking for concentration and ripe tannins. This continues to improve and evolve as it opens, so if opening now, it would be worth decanting.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The 2019 Fontalloro is all Sangiovese that is aged in new and second-year barriques for up to 20 months. This vintage is represented by a production of 45,000 bottles. The wine opens to a medium-dark garnet color with lots of rich fruit and oak spice. The tannins are dry and the wine is slightly thinner that I would have expected, especially for a vintage that is identified by extra concentration. With time in the glass, Fontalloro relaxes to show more volume and a broader presentation of dark fruit aromas.
James Suckling – This has a perfumed nose of wild cherries, strawberries, sandalwood, peppercorns, cloves, rosemary and truffles. Elegant and refined, with firm, fine tannins. Long and deliciously wild, with savory spice notes.
Wine Enthusiast – Heavy reduction on the nose of this wine meets blackberries, violets, gravel and tar, while vanilla sneaks out later. The palate is a chocolaty-berry blend with heat both peppery and spicy, then pivots elegantly to vanilla and baking spices. Dense but not cloying, it has pliant tannins and glittering acid.
James Suckling – This has gorgeous aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, peppercorns, cloves, mocha, hazelnuts and dried herbs. Polished and creamy, with a medium to full body and firm, velvety tannins. Long, supple and elegant. Delicious already, but better from 2024.
James Suckling – Savory and juicy with aromas of dried herbs, currants, cherries, olives and bark. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a bright, succulent finish.
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.