The Noble Wines of Southern Italy

by Antonio Galloni

Piedmont and Tuscany may get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to important, ageworthy reds from Italy, but readers who look past the great classics of the south are missing out on some of the most distinctive wines in the country, and the world, for that matter. Aglianico in Campania, Nero d’Avola in Sicily and Cannonau in Sardinia have all proven capable of yielding important, structured wines that can age gracefully for years. At a time when the most desirable bottles from Bordeaux, Burgundy, California and Spain have reached eye-popping prices, readers seeking to build a collection of fine, cellar worthy wines will find solace and comfort in these far more accessible, yet equally thrilling reds. All of the wines in this article were tasted in New York from bottles shipped directly from the producers’ cellars.