Beachrooster
Posts: 2334
Joined: 4/3/2009 From: Huntington Beach, CA Status: offline
|
Thanks Maestro, your post was very informative. quote:
ORIGINAL: Maestro Based on the questions I have been asked (and inspired by Serge's "all you need to become a Bordeaux expert is to remember 7 names"), I decided to post the basics of Italian Red Wine: Category 1: The Collectibles Italy has basically 5 types of red wine that one can collect and which are likely to appreciate in value. They are (in order of importance): * Barolo (Variety=Nebbiolo; Region=Piedmont) * Brunello di Montalcino (Variety=Sangiovese; Region= Tuscany) * Barbaresco (Variety=Nebbiolo; Region=Piedmont) * Super-Tuscans (Variety=Bordeaux-like Blend; Region=Tuscany) * Amarone (Variety=Corvina Blend; Region=Veneto) There you have it. Remember these 5 and you are an "expert". Category 2: The Best Sellers * Chianti (including Chianti, Chianti Classico, and Chianti Classico Riserva) The variety is predominantly Sangiovese and the Region is Tuscany. * Valpolicella (including Ripasso and Valpolicella Superiore) It is a Corvina blend and the Region is Veneto. Chiantis drink well but very seldom deliver the quality needed for long-term cellaring and collecting. If you want a Sangiovese-based collectible, your wine is Brunello. Valpolicella is the little brother of Amarone. Category 3: The Hidden Treasures These are not likely to be that well know, but are well worth the adventure: * Taurasi (Variety=Aglianico; Region=Campania * Etna (Best varieties being Nerello Mascalese and Nero d'Avola, as well as blends; Region=Sicily) And that's the basics...
|