The Latest / Italy

In the wine world, people are often reluctant to pick favorites, especially in print. But I’m going to do it anyway: I declare that Barolo is the greatest wine of Italy. I love many wines from all over Italy, but I have picked a favorite, and it is Barolo.

What follows is a list of our TOP FIVE wine stories from 2019! While these wines may no longer be available, we think the information is interesting enough that we wanted to make it available to you, incase you'd like to revisit, for instance, the Atlantic coasts of Spain or the mountains of northern Italy.

What is Aglianico?

Aglianico is a grape variety grown in Southern Italy, mostly in Campania and Bascilicata. Most experts consider Aglianico to be one of Italy's "noble" varieties, alongside Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. It is the grape that makes Taurasi, the most famous red wine from south of Tuscany.

They are both made 100% from Nebbiolo grown in the Langhe. But Barolo and Barbaresco are clearly not the same wine.

What's the difference?

The easy answer is the legal one: Barolo and Barbaresco are two different DOCs. They are located in slightly different parts of the Langhe (see the map above).

There are slightly different rules that they have to follow -- for example Barolos have to be aged for 38 months, of which at least 18 months are in barrel, while Barbaresco only requires 26 months, of which 9 must be in barrel. Barolos have to hit 13% alcohol and Barbarescos only 12.5%.

I guess that sort of thing is great to know for your WSET exam, but it doesn't get you into the heart and soul of how these wines are distinct. Hopefully this list of five key differences will help you do that:

I was recently in Italy for a couple weeks.  It was for a combination wedding and family vacation -- not wine-related at all -- in Tuscany and Umbria.  So there were no visits to wineries.  There was, however, plenty of wine, and a few things about wine and life and Italy occurred to me:

Having the opportunity taste at Bartolo Mascarello was one of the great honors of my life. I have been in love with the wines since my first bottle of 1996 Barolo at Babbo for I think, my 26th birthday. 

The vineyards of Barolo are impossibly beautiful.  My first morning, I woke up to the legendary fog that gives the local Nebbiolo grape its namesake.

So, after resting and recuperating for a few days in Morgon, it was time to head south to where my love affair with wine really began: Piemonte.