A Vinous Tour of Italy with Rick Lindsay

A selection of Italian wines lead by importer red + white cellar. Being completely novice to Italian wines I was eager to learn as much as possible. The stars were a simple but delicious prosecco, a sangiovese blend, and a nebbiolo. Most of the reds had very good acids, but most were let down by brett infestations. Some wines were distinctly over-ripe.

• NV Canella Prosecco di Conegliano 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Conegliano

  Pale gold, no hint of green. Full, fruity nose with a hint of oak on the nose (despite this being unoaked!). Very riesling-like aroma. The Riesling similarity continues through the palate, with big fruit flavours - red apples, pears, and white peach. The mouthfeel is rich and weighty, particularly with the way that the light, fine bead tends to foam nicely in the mouth. Sweet attack mopped up by acids - I'd like to see a touch more acid to really balance this wine out. The overall impression is medium/dry, despite regulations mandating this wine, labeled extra dry, to be between 12 and 20 grams per litre residual sugar. Perhaps it's just the abundant fruit giving one the impression that the wine is sweeter than it really is. A fantastic, fun, very drinkable wine - nothing too serious, just simple and delicious.

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• 2007 Bollini Pinot Grigio Trentino 83 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino

  Quite browned already. Strong toasted oak on nose, heading towards tar and rubber. Dry, with good acids. The acids seemed disjointed on the first taste, hitting with a big dollop very late in the finish, however, the second taste seemed harmonious. Good weight on the tongue, almost oily. The oak component to this wine is overblown, unfortunately, masking the fruit and making for a rather difficult drink, especially after the easy-drinking prosecco.

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