Nothing speaks to the Mediterranean lifestyle experience more than a glass of fine Italian wine.  In fact the Mayo Clinic suggests a glass or two of red wine daily is actually good for your heart and encourages its use.

Problem is there are so many quality Italian wines that finding a winner is a chore.  Gracie’s Ravioli welcomes guest blogger and expert wine critic Billy Phillips to offer up his top Six Italian wines.  His selections may be a bit on the pricy side, but sometimes you just need to splurge a bit.

 Six of the Best Italian Wines

Italy has long been renowned as the home to some of the oldest and best wine-producing regions in the world. These regions produce nearly one third of the worldwide supply of wine and there are presently over one million vineyards operating in Italy. Not surprisingly, the wines that are produced from these regions are recognised and praised both for their high quality and their variety and versatility. There are so many fine wines from Italy that it would be impossible to draw up a definitive list of the best or the most popular, especially because they vary to such a degree.  Below I’ve highlight six wines that are available at a reasonable price and which might each be regarded as a great example of a typical fine Italian wine.

Cà del Bosco Franciacorta Annamaria Clementi

This fine Franciacorta wine is produced in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy and is named in honour of Annamaria Clementi, the founder of Ca’ del Bosco. The wine is full-bodied, yet refreshing, with a hint of citrus; a perfect accompaniment to a special dining event.

Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca

This classy, white wine is produced on a hillside vineyard in the Soave Classico region of Veneto. The Pieropan family has produced the finest of wines in Soave for over one hundred and fifty years and this is no exception. It is perfect with rice or fish.

Bellavista Franciacorta Cuvée

Italy’s riposte to the champagne of the French, this crisp and fruity sparkling, white wine, produced in the Bellavista Winery, in the region of Brescia, is best served as an aperitif. It will sharpen the taste buds in advance of any meal!

2000 Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Tenuta San Guido

This Tuscan combination of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot compares favourably with any red wine in the world. In the Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tenuta San Guido vineyard provides a fruity, blackcurrant flavour, combined with silky softness making it a perfect accompaniment to beef and lamb dishes.

2003 Pio Cesare Barbaresco

Another top-of-the-range red, this time fromAlba, situated in the heart of the Piedmont region, the 2003 Pio Cesare Barbaresco has a pleasant aroma of blackcurrant and plum and is a perfect compliment to any red meat dish.

94 Gravner 2005 Amfora Ribolla Gialla

With its orange shade, this fruity white wine, produced by Francesco Gravner, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, has a rich palate, combining apricots and peaches and warm spices. It is, in the view of many, one of the few white wines that have the rich and smooth feel of a red. Its versatility reflects this and it can be eaten with fish and red meats, to the same level of satisfaction.

Summary

As we mentioned at the outset, this is not an exhaustive list of the best Italian wines on the market and we are certain that many people would come up with six entirely different choices. The best way to find out whether you agree with our selections is to try as many of the alternative wines as you can – and make your own mind up!

Author Bio: This article was written by Billy Phillips, regular food and wine blogger, writing for All Seasons Catering, Perth Caterers for food and drinks. Visit their website at www.allseasonscatering.com.au

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