Top wine magazine, Wine Spectator, compiles an annual list of the top 100 most exciting wines from around the world. Though the list is very interesting in itself, I asked myself how many Italian wines made it onto this prestigious list in 2008?
Well, I’m pleased to say that quite a number made it, including one which hit the number 6 spot. Can you guess which one? Two other Italian wines also managed to make the top 20. If you are a wine buff, then you might like to try guessing which Italian wines got onto Wine Spectator’s top 10o list, before you click on.
In this post, I’ve broken down the Wine Spectator into the top 10 Italian wines, what their Wine Spectator ranking is, and there is also an estimated price in dollars.
Italian Wine
You may be pleased to know that some the prices of the some of the top Italian wines listed are quite mouth watering. The prices of the others though, put them into the ‘special occasion’ category for all but the most ardent of wine connoisseurs.
Should you wish to sample some of the fine Italian wines listed, then I have a couple of suggestions for you too. I’m sure you can find a few places on the internet where you can buy Italian wine online, which is something you may wish to do after reading this list of fine wines. You could always think about joining a wine club which is a great way to discover new wine.
The Top Ten Italian Wines in 2008
According to Wine Spectator, these were the most exciting Italian wines of 2008:
1. $62 Pio Cesare Barolo 2004 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 6
2. $65 Aldo & Riccardo Seghesio Barolo Vigneto La Villa 2004 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 14
3. $110 Sette Ponti Toscana Oreno 2006 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 15
Article continues after the advertisement
4. $63 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate Riserva 2004 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 22
5. $28 La Massa Toscana 2006 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 31
6. $28 Firriato Nero d’Avola-Syrah Sicilia Santagostino Baglio Soria 2006 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 50
7. $17 Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico Berardenga 2006 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 51
8. $19 Attems Pinot Grigio Collio 2007 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 70
9. $19 Suavia Soave Classico 2007 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 75
10. $25 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Castello di Nipozzano Riserva 2005 – Position in Wine Spectator world ranking: 76
Wines 7, 8, and 9 seem reasonably priced too. For the full Top 100 list, head on over to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2008 article.
Please note that Blog from Italy receives commission on sales from the Saratoga Wine Exchange. If you do make a purchase, you will be helping Blog from Italy grow – so thanks!
Which Wines Do Italians Prefer?
Have you ever wondered which wines Italians themselves prefer? If you have, then you might like to try guessing, before going to see this Blog from Italy by clicking here: Wines Italians Buy
Cheers! Or, as they say around these parts: Salute!
With this handy little application – which can go on an iPhone, you can check which wine goes with which food, see ratings, and impress your friends with you excellent choice of wine! (I really rather like it, very clever – Alex Roe)
After Using HelloVino – to Choose wine…
If you are a US wine lover, then why not head on over to Saratoga wines, which has an extensive selection of Italian wines and other wines on offer and the Saratoga wine website also includes wines rated by Robert Parker and Wine Spectator The you can order Italian wine online, from the comfort of your armchair, office desk, Rolls Royce/Bentley or whatever.
Italy Chronicles Feed
Thing is, how many times does one eat the kinds of foods suited for these big reds? I am very fond of Barolo and Brunello, but I want powerful and rich food when I drink them and cinghiale, cervo, agnello arrosto just isn’t on the menu that often. If you pick the wrong foods you do a disservice to the wine and wreck the meal.
In other words, I can’t afford many of those, but that’s OK because they don’t go with tuna fish anyway.
You have a point, I suppose, Judith. It’s not that often that one eats food which merits such fine wine. But, sometimes, and Autumn/Fall is just around the corner, so wild boar, venison and roast lamb are likely to be on the menu.
This is wine for dinner parties, preferably those dinner parties with others who appreciate good wine.
As for the tuna fish – and there is some excellent quality tuna in Italy (fresh tuna steaks are delicious!) – then a good light, and cheap, Italian white would be fine.
Best,
Alex
It’s great that Wine Spectator does this list every year and many of these wines are great, some of the commercial, and nearly all of them great values. But making lists like this is like underlining a passage in a book: when you do, you erase the rest of the book. There are so many — more than ever before — great Italian wines available today in the U.S. The Wine Spectator is a great place to start but I encourage you and your readers to go to your local wine store and talk to their sales people about the Italian wines that are available to them and taste and pair with your favorite foods.
@Judith you make a REALLY GREAT point about the nature of the WS list: it’s focused on big, tannic, red wines… another reason to look for lower alcohol wines, less tannic, more food friendly…
Hi Jeremy the wine tasting rock guitarist,
With this, I totally agree:
“But making lists like this is like underlining a passage in a book: when you do, you erase the rest of the book.”
There is a veritable ocean full of good wine in Italy, as you well know. In defence of Wine Spectator’s lists (actually, Wine Spectator does not need me to defend them, I’m sure), I think they do help people discover new wines, and, with a little luck, if they try some of the Italian wines on this list, and like them, they will most probably pay more attention to Italian wine. If this happens, then I will be happy!
“I encourage you and your readers to go to your local wine store and talk to their sales people about the Italian wines that are available to them and taste and pair with your favorite foods.” -Good advice. I do this from time to time, but not enough – although writing about wine does help me remember what to look for. Or I can load up one of my blog posts on my Blackberry and refer to it in the wine shop.
And yes, Judith does make good points – and she knows her stuff too – she is a professional cook, after all.
Thanks for commenting, and I have subscribed to your blog’s RSS feed.
I’d love to hear more wine advice from you too.
Best regards,
Alex
I see you highlighting your trackbacks. Great post! I hope you generate a little traffic from us… the with one of these wines the italyMONDO! readers and the Blog From Italy readers can all do a communal brindisi together!
Hi Peter,
With a little luck we’ll both send each other some visitors. The italyMONDO! Italian citizenship service sounds interesting.
Quite a few Italian-Americans seem to be interested in obtaining dual-nationality -but few seem to know how to go about the process, and many do not know any Italian. This makes life difficult, so your service may be what many are looking for.
Glad you liked the post on the top Italian wine in Wine Spectator’s list. I’ll do the same again next year.
Best,
Alex