One of the globe’s top wine producing countries, Italy is home to over 20 wine regions divided into more than 300 denominations where 350 recognized indigenous grapes are grown. Many of Italy’s finest varieties are white, but as the seasons change, we focus our vinous appetites on luscious reds from Tuscany and Piedmont.
The latter, known in Italy as Piemonte, is home to rolling hills covered with Nebbiolo, the grape that is at its finest in Barolo. Grown at high altitudes, this jewel in the crown of Italian winemaking yields full bodied and earthy wines that are meat and game friendly—think rack of lamb, pan-seared duck, and grilled veal chops—but it may be at its best paired with pasta, polenta, or risotto topped with freshly shaved truffle. Barolo isn’t the only red grape that Piedmont is known for; Barbera thrives on more than 70,000 acres throughout the region, where it has been cultivated for hundreds of years. The best Barbera comes from the Barbera d’Alba and Barbera d’Asti appellations, where bright berry flavors and notes of spice make it a natural alongside red-sauce pastas, pizza, or even grilled chicken.
Tuscany, a.k.a. Toscana, serves up several top tier appellations such as Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico, where Sangiovese is the main grape, and Bolgheri, home of Super Tuscans that may include Sangiovese but are more famous for “international” or French varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Brunello and Chianti Classico are also terrific with red sauce pasta dishes, but a Porterhouse grilled with rosemary sprigs will bring out the best in your bottle. The heavier tannins inherent in Super Tuscans make them perfect with a flame-kissed tomahawk steak or pan-seared New York strip. Here are seven Italian reds to drink now.
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Ornellaia 2021 Bolgheri Tuscany Italy
The winery team gives each vintage a name that represents the growing season; 2021 is called La Generosità thanks to the generous and gentle natural conditions that year. This bottle is a blend of 53 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot, 15 percent Cabernet Franc, and 7 percent Petit Verdot. Deep violet-red to the eye, it leads off with aromas of blackberry and blueberry, dried Mediterranean herbs, and dried cranberry. Aging for 18 months in a mix of new and once-used barrels offered plush tannins and soft notes of spice to flavors of cassis, pomegranate, cocoa bean, and lavender. The long-lasting finish is noted for a soft burst of orange rind.
Buy Now: $280
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Bruno Giacosa 2022 Falletto Barbera d’Alba Piedmont Italy
Bruno’s daughter Bruna has big shoes to fill because her father is a legend in the world of wine. Bruno began making wine while still in his teens and continued to do so for more than 70 years. Bruna continues the family legacy using her father’s traditional winemaking techniques augmented by modern technology. Their Falletto 2022 is ruby to garnet in color with aromas of red plum, ripe cherry, and Oolong tea. It is full bodied with polished tannins and flavors of cassis, crushed violet petals, and black raspberry.
Buy Now: $62
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Ceretto 2019 Barolo Prapo Piedmont Italy
Visitors to the Ceretto winery are sure to be impressed with numerous buildings woven into the hillsides as they drive up the entrance road and spot a large glass cube and a structure that resembles a transparent spaceship. In addition to making fine wines, the Ceretto family has a deep passion for modern architecture as well as contemporary art. Their 2019 Prapo is certainly art in the glass with deep garnet color and aromas of black truffle, anise, and black raspberry. It is full bodied with soft, rounded tannins and flavors of dried cherry, red raspberry, and tobacco leaf.
Buy Now: $150
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Poggio di Sotto 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Poggio di Sotto is in Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the southern part of Montalcino. The vineyards sit at altitudes of 623 to 1,443 feet and are shielded from winds and harsh weather by Mount Amiata, an extinct volcano that stands at 5,700 feet. The vines are planted in clay-rich soils with gray marl and rock fragments. The 2018 has aromas of red raspberry, ripe cherry, and holiday baking spices. It has silky tannins and flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, and cherry with great length in the finish.
Buy Now: $320
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Barone Ricasoli 2020 CeniPrimo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Chianti Tuscany Italy
Ricasoli is one of the oldest wineries in Italy and has been producing in the Chianti Classico region for more than 800 years. It is also one of the largest estates in the region with 590 acres of vines and 50 acres of olive trees interspersed among 3,000 acres of land. The 2020 CeniPrimo has aromas of red cherry, rose petals, and a touch of new car leather. It is medium bodied with slightly grippy tannins and flavors of anise, cigar box, and cherry liquor.
Buy Now: $95
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Castello di Monsanto 2018 Il Poggio Chianti Classico Chianti Tuscany Italy
In 1962 Fabrizio Bianchi wanted to develop a more modern style of Chianti Classico so he cleared a hillside, planted vines, and named it Il Poggio. The wine grown on this hill was destined to be a single vineyard riserva and it was one of the first in the region to use only red grape varieties. The 2018 Il Poggio is garnet colored and has aromas of dried lavender, red cherry, and a touch of asphalt with flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, and a touch of dried Mediterranean herbs in the finish.
Buy Now: $110
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Luigi Baudana 2019 Barolo Baudana Piedmont Italy
An under-the-radar winery farming about 7.5 acres near Serralunga d’Alba, Luigi Baudana was started in 1996 by Luigi and his wife Fiorina, who entrusted the estate to the care of the Vaira family in 2009. Baudana is also the name of the Barolo cru in which these prime Nebbiolo grapes are grown before undergoing spontaneous malolactic fermentation in steel tank followed by 21 months of aging in large Slavonian barrels, which impart a light touch of oak. This deep ruby colored wine has a nose of red cherry, cigar box, and violet petals. It fills the mouth with luscious tannins and bold flavors of raspberry, red plum, thyme, and a hint of smoke that lingers into the memorable finish.
Buy Now: $100
