A simple, light, refreshing, porch pounder type of rosé, we review the Grande Alberone Rosé from Aldi. A rosé blend of Negroamaro, Merlot and Refosco from Italy. The wine has 10 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
The Best Italian Wines
Italian wine can be confusing, but this is what happens when wine has been made in a place for hundreds and hundreds of years! Just don't let the confusion stop you from exploring the many fascinating regions and wines of Italy, it is one of our very favorite spots for great value wines (as well as a few of our favorites over $25, or "Saturday Splurges" as we like to call them).
Sangiovese is one of the major grapes in Italy, being the backbone of such renowned Italian wines as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino as well as many Super Tuscans. With its distinctive cherry and often rustic flavors, this medium-bodied, savory variety takes to oak aging very well. And just as you would expect it's fantastic with all kinds of Italian foods including pizza and pretty much anything in tomato-based sauces. (See our Guide To The Best Pizza Wines for more on this.)
Chianti is also a great example of just how confusing Italian wine can be. With 8 different sub-zones, varying rules on production, a classification called Superiore that can be used in 7 of the 8 zones, and a number of wines that could be labeled either as Chianti or things like Brunello di Montalcino or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, it's no wonder consumers are confused. I guess this is what happens where your wine region has been around since the early 1700s -- 300 years later there are a lot of rules! (For more on this see our dedicated Guide To Chianti Wines.)
A few of the often-overlooked areas in Italy; however, may give the best value.
Click here to get a printable shopping list of the best wines from Italy!
Alto Adige in the northern part of the country offers fascinating and affordable red and white wines.
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea likewise offers tremendous value in varieties like Nero d'Avola that you generally don’t find anywhere else.
Puglia, which extends onto the heel of the boot of Italy is renowned for their Primitivo and Salice Salento wines made from Negroamaro.
On the other side of Italy's boot (the shin) is Campania, home to one of our very favorite varieties - Aglianico.
Of course, we'll also offer some tried and true favorites from places like Tuscany and beyond and even the occasional Amarone and Barolo splurge. And if you really want to keep it cheap you can check our dedicated list of $8 Italian Reds - all delicious and $8 or less.
Read on for our list of The Best Italian Wine, Mostly Under $25!
Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva - Too Good To Be True?
After a disappointing 2020 vintage, it's back with a new, highly respected producer! Keep reading to find out who it is. We review the 2021 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva from Costco. Sangiovese from Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy. The wine … [Read more...]
Aldi Grande Alberone Sparkling Moscato - Dessert In A Bottle
Sweet, sparkly and very tasty, we review the Grande Alberone Sparkling Moscato from Aldi. Sparkling wine made from Moscato in Piedmont, Italy. It has 88 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
INSIDER DEAL! Enzo Boglietti Barbera d'Alba
Textbook, 91-93 point Piedmont Barbera at an amazing price. Don't miss our XX% discount on the Enzo Boglietti Barbera d'Alba. … [Read more...]
Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia - Quite Impressive
Pairs well with good food and good company, the Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia. 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino from the Chianti Classico appellation in Tuscany, Italy. … [Read more...]
INSIDER DEAL! 93 and 94-Point Barolo OVER XX% OFF!
Big name wines at a big time discount! Our amazing Italian deals continue with the Enzo Boglietti Barolo Fossati and Barolo Boiolo 3-pack. When we promised you some amazing deals on the best wines Italy has to offer we meant it! And so today we go to the most noble of … [Read more...]
Aldi Specially Selected Alto Adige Pinot Grigio Review
A surprisingly good example of the variety, we review the Specially Selected Alto Adige Pinot Grigio from Aldi. Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige, Italy. … [Read more...]
INSIDER DEAL! Cavedoni Botte Piccola 7-Year Aged Aceto Balsamico di Modena
Welcome to a special, bonus Insider Deal on the Cavedoni Botte Piccola 7-Year Aged Aceto Balsamico di Modena. This is the best balsamic under $100 we've ever tasted, and this is WAY under $100. It's not wine, but it is made from wine grapes and we give it a Perfect 10 Taste … [Read more...]
INSIDER DEAL! Enzo Boglietti Roscaleto Barbera d'Alba Mini Vertical
XX% off two amazing, Old Vine, 94-point, single vineyard Barbera from the heart of Barolo country in Piedmont. Don't miss our unprecedented price on the 2017 and 2018 Enzo Boglietti Roscaleto Barbera d'Alba. Italian wine lovers rejoice! We're unleashing some amazing deals … [Read more...]
Aldi Specially Selected Gavi DOCG - Crisp, Bright and Inviting
Exploring the fresh and fruity side of Piedmont, we review the Specially Selected Gavi DOCG from Aldi. 100% Cortese from the Gavi DOCG in southern Piedmont, Italy. … [Read more...]
Villa Cerna Primocolle Chianti Classico - Too Easy
Eminently drinkable Sangiovese, we review the Villa Cerna Primocolle Chianti Classico from Famiglia Cecchi. 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino from the Chianti Classico DOCG of Tuscany, Italy. The wine ages 9 months in barriques and at least three months in the bottle before … [Read more...]
Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo – Bring on the Pizza
Reviewing the latest vintage on a wine from one of our favorite categories of wine, $8 Italian Reds. The Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. 100% Montepulciano from nine specific estate vineyards in Abruzzo, Italy. The wine is aged in stainless steel and has around 4.5 … [Read more...]
Adventure Series Chianti - Surprisingly Competent Stuff
Authentic Chianti character for just $5.99 courtesy of Aldi, we review the latest vintage of the Adventure Series Chianti DOCG. Primarily Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy. … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Review
Checking out the new Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from Costco, a top of the line Chianti at a budget price. At least 80% estate grown Sangiovese from the Chianti Classico zone in Tuscany, Italy. The wine is aged for 30 months in 30 hectoliter … [Read more...]
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva - Love At First Sniff
Reviewing a recent vintage of a favorite wine, the Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva. Primarily Sangiovese with a small amount of complementary varieties like Malvasia Nera, Colorino, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, Italy. The wine … [Read more...]
D'Angelo Aglianico Del Vulture - Tannic, Chewy And Delicious
A Bulk Buy rating at the great Costco price, we review the excellent Casa Vinicola D'Angelo Aglianico Del Vulture. 100% Agllianico from 30-35 year-old vines in Barile in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The wine is aged for 18 months in large barrels. … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino – True To Form
After the big changes a couple years ago, Costco keeps the status quo for the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Check out our full review below. 100% Sangiovese from Montalcino, Italy. The wine was aged for at least 2 years in oak … [Read more...]
7 Sicilians Rosso Terre Siciliane - Uncomplicated And Tasty
There are more grape varieties in the blend than there are dollars in the price! We review this tasty kitchen sink blend from Trader Joe's, the 7 Sicilians Rosso Terre Siciliane. 35% Shiraz, 23% Merlot, 15% Frappato, 10% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% … [Read more...]
Safo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo From Aldi - Simple But Pleasing
A decent little Italian wine on the cheap thanks to Aldi. We review the Safo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy. … [Read more...]
Acquesi Brachetto - Delightfully Sweet
Syrupy sweet yet still delightfully crisp and refreshing, we review the Acquesi Brachetto sparkling red wine from Piedmont, Italy. We're becoming big fans of red sparkling wines, an often overlooked version of the bubbly stuff. Today, we're checking out a Brachetto d'Acqui … [Read more...]
Zenato Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio - A Lip-Smacker
Classic and widely available Pinot Grigio at a great price, we review the Zenato Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio. 100% Pinot Grigio from the Delle Venezie DOC in northeastern Italy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and has 5 g/L of residual sugar. … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Toscana - Still Sensational?
We check out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Toscana from Costco. The 2020 vintage does not specify the blend but I imagine it is similar to the 2018 which was 75% Sangiovese, 22% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is from Tuscany, Italy. … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Moscato d'Asti - Lovely Stuff
A deliciously sweet and bubbly Bulk Buy, we review the new Kirkland Signature Moscato d'Asti. New Kirkland Signature wine alert! And this one is for the sweet wine lovers. … [Read more...]
Lini 910 Labrusca Rosso - Get your Lambrusco On
Produced since 1910, we review a classic, dry example of the sparkling red wine Lambrusco, the Lini 910 Labrusca Rosso. 85% Salamino and 15% Ancellotta red sparkling wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. … [Read more...]
Attems Ramato Friuli Pinot Grigio - Unique and Delicious
Find it and try it. We review the Attems Ramato Friuli Pinot Grigio, a unique and delicious expression of Pinot Grigio made like a rosé. 100% Pinot Grigio from the Friuli DOC in Italy. … [Read more...]
Kirkland Signature Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio - Cheap and Good
The Kirkland Signature Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio from Costco, still only $4.99 and packed with flavor. This might be the best vintage yet. Pinot Grigio from Friuli Grave, Italy. … [Read more...]
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