the best italian wine I have had is Argiolas Turriga from Sardinia.

QOTD: CAMPO QUADRO BARBARESCO 2001, GARY, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DO A SHOW ON BARBARESCO’S DON’T YA THINK?

QOTD: I would have to say that the best Italian wine I have had to date was the 2001 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Reserva. It was entirely too young, but it was off the charts with concentration, fruit, tannins, length, everything that pulled it all together. I’ll be revisiting it again in another 5-6 years. Thanks for another fun show…

QOTD:

Poggio al Chiari!

95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino

I only buy inexpensive wines, and I really liked the 2005 Promessa Rosso Salento, which is 70% Negroamaro and 30% Primitivo, and only cost $10. Never had an Italian wine that cost more than $20.

Thanks for background info on Super-Tuscans. Italian laws governing that stuff are kind of ridiculous IMHO.
QOTD: Difficult to say just one fave at this point, Isole e Olena Cepparello was kind of awesome, but just had a taste. Liked the Frescobaldi Chianti Classico a lot, and just about everything from i Clivi. I’m such a newbie really that haven’t really experienced much from any one place yet. Hope the Cabreo doesn’t sell out right away.
Yup, a nice t-shirt!

Brunello, holla!

Very nice! I like.

Thanks for the great show Gary!

QQTD: Pietraforte 97 because it brought me into wine. What a great memory of my first sip.

Big fan of Italian wines. Brunello is the wine that got me started and to date I still have a very soft spot for them, unfortunately they are pricey and need several years in the bottle to reach their peak. Current wine fridge inventory has 14-15 Italians, several of them aging Brunellos, with a smattering of Chianti, Supers, Barberas and Barolos.

QOTD: 1997 Casa Vinicola Fontebuia Brunello Riserva. One bottle left which is being saved for next Xmas(which is also my birthday)

Last month, tried a Barbera D’Asti that was great with Tuscan Beef tenderloin, like Chianti, as well as the Valpolicella. Limited experience but it is growing. Thanks for what you do.

Favorite Italian wine is without a doubt Barolo

Great Episode. Can’t wait to try some of these super Tuscans

RUFFINO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DUCALE ORO 2003

QOTD:Been enjoying Sicilian whites lately. Cusumano Insolia and Feudo Arancio Grillo. Crisp and refreshing. Great with food.

QOTD: Only got into Italian wines since I began watching. So far the 2000 Oberto Barolo Vignetto Albarello is my favorite. I’m hoping that the 2003 Paolo Bea Sagrantino will become my favorite when I can drink it in 4 years.

WOW. I graduated over a year ago, and your description of the nose of the Cabreo is honestly the first thing since then that has made me nostalgic about college and my old dorm. thanks gary, your right, its all about life.

QOTD: 2000 Massolino Barolo Margheria

QOTD: 2005 Silvio Grasso Dolcetto D’Alba. Drank a bottle with dinner tonight.

QOTD: I am ashamed to admit but can’t remember a specific wine that I just loved. Have several bottles that I am waiting to try once they age a little more. Have the Brancaia Il Blu 2004 that I can’t wait to try! Need to expand my palate and try more!!!

QOTD: Chianti is my sentimental favorite because when I was getting my graduate degree a girlfriend and I would go to an Italian restaurant at the end of the day and commiserate over the wine. I’ve had since then several wonderful Italian wines – I can never remember the names of the super Tuscans though. Solaia was my favorite at a fairly recent Italian wine tasting.

Gary, it was interesting to hear you talk about Sassicaia. I was working in a wine store in 1978 when we had it in a blind tasting, and it blew us away with its depth, power, and deliciousness. In blind tasting, we were unable to identify as “Itaianate,” and were torn between California and Bordeaux as the origin, because it didn’t quite fit either profile. We guessed that it would sell for $20-30 at the time. In fact, it was selling for $8.75. I think we had the 1975 vintage. There was another one that was comparable (a cabernet, maybe blended), but I don’t recall the name of it.

My favorite all-time Italian was a 1964 Mascarello Barolo, which we had in 1979, with figs and some really creamy Gorgonzola cheese.

Thanks for all the info Gary, I’ve always been a bit confused about what it means to be a Super Tuscan wine.

QOTD: In general its been Primitivo. No specific bottle jump out to me from my memory besides Primitivo.

I should add, my favorite Primitivo was the Cantine del Colle “Falco Grillaio” 2004. It was so rich and delicious. Why don’t you guys carry that yet? =)

QOTD: Barolo, but its hard to just pic one favorite

Italian whites that aren’t pinot grigio, can’t get enough of ’em.