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Marche Stays the Course Amidst Future Uncertainty
Italy: Center & South, featured
May 2024
,The writing for Marche is on the wall. Quality remains exceptionally high. A new focus on terroir and a focus on exalting a sense of place has been wildly successful. Moreover, the wines remain extremely well-priced. That said, Marche faces significant challenges in maintaining its share of international markets.
Sardinia: Winemaking in the Extreme
Italy, Italy: Center & South, featured
Nov 2023
,Wild, rich, exotic, warming and seductive, the wines of Sardinia are unlike any others in Italy. While sometimes over-the-top, it's impossible to deny the sheer pleasure of exploring wines that showcase the unique personalities of the island's indigenous and not-so-indigenous varieties.
Tipping the Scales: New Releases from Umbria
Italy: Center & South, featured
Oct 2023
,Fans of big, robust, age-worthy reds and whites should note that producers in Umbria are pushing the quality needle from Montefalco to Orvieto. The region is determined to prove its worth on the international wine scene.
Surpassing Expectations: New Releases from Sicily
Italy: Center & South, featured
Sep 2023
,It’s incredible how much Sicily has improved in such a short period. What was once a selection of hit-or-miss, over-stylized, oaky and often rustic wines has become one of my favorite annual tastings. Quality continues to rise, and prices remain fair, meaning consumers can now find some seriously world-class wines here.
Chomping at the Bit: New Releases from Abruzzo
Italy: Center & South, featured
Aug 2023
,Following my visit to Abruzzo in 2022, I cited a list of issues within the region that were holding producers back. Some even toyed with the idea of leaving the DOC altogether. However, the response from the Consorzio over the last few years, while not without its own issues, has been quite positive.
Southern Italy: Diamonds in the Rough
Italy: Center & South, featured
Jul 2023
,Southern Italy struggles with several issues that have prevented it from realizing its true potential. The regions of Basilicata, Calabria, Puglia, Lazio and Molise each wrestle with their own challenges, yet there are many diamonds in the rough.
Campania: Change Is Imminent…Or Is It?
Italy: Center & South, featured
Jun 2023
,Even with a tremendous surge in quality, Campania’s wines have yet to win over the average consumer. A core of old and new producers is determined to change that.
Emilia-Romagna: Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
Italy: Center & South, featured
Mar 2023
,While Lambrusco is still king in Emilia, over in Romagna, a few wineries are showing the heights Sangiovese can reach if treated properly. The best part is that these lesser-known wines continue to offer great value in the market.
Umbria: Taking It to the Next Level
Italy: Center & South, featured
Nov 2022
,Umbrian wines have always communicated tremendous potential; however, except for a short list of producers, these wines have often been underwhelming. I have long looked forward to the day the region would begin to deliver the best quality possible. That day may be just over the horizon.
The Unrealized Potential of Marche
Italy: Center & South, featured
Nov 2022
,Overall quality in Marche has never been higher. However, my feeling is that many producers have yet to fully realize the potential of this diverse region. I often left my tastings this year wondering what red and white varieties might be able to achieve here.