Italian Wine

Brunello, Barolo, Chianti, Super Tuscan... we know that Italian wines can sometimes be a bit complicated to understand, but that's why we’re here!

With more than 2,000 different indigenous grapes, over 330 DOCs, and an incredible and diverse relief, Italy is arguably the richest wine country in the world. Mixing art, design, culture, and beautiful scenery, Italy produces some of the most elegant wines in the world. From the Chianti to your tomato pasta, to the Super Tuscan for your ragu, Italy perfectly complements every moment and every meal.

You can have the king of the wines, a Barolo from Giacomo Conterno ~ 100% Nebbiolo from Alba-Piedmont ~ or perhaps a Biondi-Santi, the first Brunello di Montalcino made entirely from Sangiovese...wait a minute, do you like Cabernet? Ok, you should definitely try a Sassicaia from Bolgheri.

The options are many, the styles are countless. Discover our hand-selected portfolio of Italian wines today!

Italian Wine Regions

Steeped in a rich, millennia-long winemaking history, Italy is renowned for producing some of the world's most exceptional wines. Among the country's viticultural treasures, two regions stand out for their iconic contributions to the world of fine wine: Tuscany and Piemonte.

Tuscany, home to the classic wines of Chianti and Montalcino, is also the birthplace of the audacious Super Tuscans, which have captured the attention of wine enthusiasts worldwide. Piemonte, nestled in the northwest, boasts the regal Barolo and the elegant Barbaresco, both crafted from the noble Nebbiolo grape. These wines embody the essence of Italian winemaking prowess, each reflecting the unique terroir, the skilled hands of the winemakers, and the centuries-old traditions that have shaped Italy's wine heritage.

The exceptional wine producers of Tuscany and Piemonte infuse their passion and artistry into every bottle, crafting wines that not only express a profound sense of place but also possess the potential to evolve and develop complex nuances over time. For those looking to invest in Italy's finest wines, the top offerings from these regions promise an unrivaled experience, worthy additions to any wine collector's cellar.

Piemonte Wine Region: Home to Barolo & Barbaresco

Piemonte, a region in northwestern Italy, is the birthplace of the noble Nebbiolo grape, the backbone of both Barolo and Barbaresco wines. This thin-skinned, late-ripening variety is notorious for its finicky nature, demanding the utmost attention and care from the winemakers who dare to tame it. The result, however, is a wine of unparalleled complexity and depth, with an ability to age gracefully for decades.

Barolo Wines: King of Nebbiolo

Barolo, often referred to as the "King of Wines," is one of Italy's most prestigious wines, known for its powerful, complex, and age-worthy Nebbiolo-based reds. It was one of the first three wines to receive DOCG status in 1980. Classic Barolo has aromas of tar and roses, a bright ruby color that fades to garnet over time, firm tannins, high acidity, and relatively high alcohol. With age, it develops earthy, truffle, and dark chocolate notes. Barolo must be aged for at least 38 months before release, with a minimum of 18 months in barrel, while Riservas require 62 months of total aging. Traditionally, Barolos needed more than a decade to tame their tannins.

Barolo Wine: Terroir & Style

The key subregions and their soil types significantly impact Barolo styles. La Morra and the Barolo commune have limestone-rich soils that produce more aromatic and elegant wines. In contrast, Castiglione-Falleto, Serralunga d'Alba, and Monforte have less fertile soils, yielding more structured and age-worthy Barolos. Recently, there has been a stylistic shift towards a dichotomy between modernist producers using shorter macerations and new French oak for a more approachable style, and traditionalists favoring long macerations and aging in large, old casks. Many producers now take a middle ground approach.

Barbaresco Wine: Terroir & Style

Barbaresco, while sharing many similarities with Barolo, tends to be slightly more approachable in its youth, with a softer tannic profile and a more pronounced elegance. It is considered the slightly softer, more approachable, and earlier-maturing counterpart to Barolo, but still a complex, age-worthy, Nebbiolo-based wine. Barbaresco has a slightly warmer microclimate than Barolo, with vineyards on steep hills primarily in the villages of Barbaresco, Neive, and Treiso. The soils have less limestone and more sand compared to Barolo. Regulations require a minimum aging of 26 months, with at least 9 months in oak for Barbaresco, while Riservas require 50 months. In practice, many producers age their wines longer than required. While generally more approachable and elegant than Barolo, Barbaresco still possesses high acidity, firm tannins, and the potential to age and develop over many years in the bottle.

Bruno Giacosa: Piemonte Wine Royalty

One cannot discuss Piemonte's wine royalty without mentioning the legendary Bruno Giacosa, a producer whose name is synonymous with excellence. Giacosa's unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking techniques and his meticulous selection of grapes from the finest vineyards have earned him a reputation as one of Italy's most iconic winemakers. His Barolos and Barbarescos are highly sought-after by collectors and connoisseurs alike, and for good reason – they represent the pinnacle of Nebbiolo's potential.

Tuscany: Premier Italian Region for Sangiovese Red Wines

Turning our attention to Tuscany, we find ourselves in one of Italy's most famous wine regions, best known for Sangiovese-based reds like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as the Super Tuscan blends. Sangiovese accounts for about two-thirds of Tuscany's plantings and 85% of red wine production. In its various clonal forms, it is the primary grape in most of Tuscany's top DOCG reds. Chianti Classico DOCG represents the historical heart of Chianti, with wines containing at least 80% Sangiovese. The best examples can be complex, age-worthy expressions of the grape. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is Tuscany's most powerful, age-worthy Sangiovese, requiring lengthy aging before release. These wines are 100% Sangiovese from the hill town of Montalcino.

Super Tuscan Wines: The Iconic Style that Shook Italy

In the 1970s and 1980s, the rise of Super Tuscans brought international attention to Tuscany. These wines either used French grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot or were 100% Sangiovese, made outside the DOC/DOCG rules of the time. At the forefront of the Super Tuscan movement stand two iconic estates: Tenuta San Guido, home to the legendary Sassicaia, and Ornellaia.

Sassicaia: Super Tuscan Movement

Sassicaia, first produced in 1968, is widely credited with kickstarting the Super Tuscan revolution. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend, with its deep, concentrated flavors of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco, has consistently earned critical acclaim and commands premium prices on the global market. It helped establish Bolgheri as a top region for Bordeaux-style blends. Other top Bolgheri estates include Ornellaia, Masseto, and Guado al Tasso.

Ornellaia: Super Tuscan 

Ornellaia, another titan of the Super Tuscan world, showcases the elegance and finesse that can be achieved through the masterful blending of Bordeaux varieties with Sangiovese. The estate's flagship wine, simply named Ornellaia, is a symphony of dark fruit, hints of spice, and velvety tannins, all beautifully integrated into a harmonious whole.

Tuscany's Bolgheri Region & Appellations

Some original Super Tuscans were labeled as humble Vino da Tavola before the IGT tier was introduced in 1992 to accommodate them. Now, many are top IGT wines or part of the Bolgheri DOC.

Bolgheri, located on the Tuscan coast, has a more moderate coastal climate than inland Tuscany, suiting Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The top Bolgheri estates produce some of the most iconic and expensive wines in Italy. The original Super Tuscan, Sassicaia, now has its own single-estate DOC, Bolgheri Sassicaia. Bolgheri winemaking tends to be precise and modern in style, incorporating new technologies. The wines are often described as a balance between Bordeaux elegance and Napa Valley opulence.

The Allure of Fine Italian Wine

As one explores the depths of Italy's wine heritage, it becomes clear that Piemonte's Barolo and Barbaresco, along with Tuscany's Super Tuscans, are not merely wines – they are liquid testaments to the passion, skill, and dedication of the winemakers who craft them. These Italian gems stand as beacons of authenticity and character, offering a sensory journey through the heart of Italy, where wine is not just a beverage, but an integral part of life. Collecting and savoring these extraordinary wines is a celebration of Italy's rich viticultural history and the enduring legacy of its finest winemakers.