Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Robert Hall Winery, Evolving Their Wines Toward a Regenerative Future
      • Great Wine Is Headed Your Way, the Spring Portfolio Tasting of Golden State Wine Co Reveals Many Treasures
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Ardanza Reserva 2016, An Elegant Vintage for an Iconic Wine
    • ETTORE Wines from Mendocino, With An Organic Focus
    • Two Excellent Value Broquel Label Wines From Argentina’s Trapiche Winery
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
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    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
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    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
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    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
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For us mere wine-loving mortals, figuring out which wines are worthy of our hard-earned dollars can be a challenge, especially if you love Italian wines, with 20 regions, over 2000 varietals, and thousands of producers in play.  Wine ratings can be tricky, depending on who you align your palate with.  Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading food and wine authority, publishes an annual Italian Wine guide, based on a simple Three Glass ratings system, or Tre Bicchieri.  More than 70 expert tasters blind-taste over 45,000 wines every year, and only include those that they feel are above average, with less than 1% granted the top prize.  

Celebrating 30 years of excellence, Gambero Rosso’s wine guide, Italian Wines 2017, contains more than 25,000 wine reviews and profiles of the passionate winemakers behind them.  Only 429 wines are crowned with Tre Bicchieri, or “extraordinary wines”; the ratings system is as follows:  
    - Three Glasses “extraordinary wines”
    - Two Red Glasses, wines that were considered for Three Glasses, but didn’t make it all the way
    - Two Glasses, very good wines
    - One Glass, good wines
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Gambero Rosso came to Los Angeles, and poured hundreds of top wines from almost 200 producers for the trade and media, offering a preview of some of the spectacular Italian wines and top values that are imported to the US.  Through an extended wine tasting in Barker Hanger at Santa Monica Airport, a veritable feast for the senses made a strong case for the wines and the guide.
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(L-R) Lorenzo Ruggeri, Marco Sabellico
A Master Class and Special Awards seminar kicked off the event, designating nine wines as top in their class.  Moderated by Gambero Rosso senior Editor-in-Chief Marco Sabellico and International Editor Lorenzo Ruggeri, the most surprising thing is that white wines received all the buzz, hogging 6 of the 9 categories.  As Ruggeri explained, “We select a lot of white wines for awards, because the quality of white wines in Italy over the last year has increased tremendously, and we really see the best buys, in Italian wine at the moment, is white, it really comes at a fair price.” ​
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Gambero Rosso Special Awards wines
Here are the top wines that earned a special nod:

Ruggeri & C. triumphed as Sparkler of the Year with its Valdobbiadene Extra Dry Giustino B. Prosecco 2015, the first time that Gambero Rosso gave this award to a tank-fermented sparkling wine.  Sabellico said, “Giustino B. is the one we like most this year, it’s such a fresh, live, crispy, floral, fruity wine, that it’s so deliciously drinkable, we couldn’t resist the temptation of giving it this special award.”


Bellavista captured Winery of the Year with its sparkling Franciacorta Pas Operé 2009, a blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir, with zero sugar in the dosage, a cuvée of 60 different crus!  Incredibly elegant in its texture and bubbles, it’s ripe yet fresh, and refined in its body and mineral quality. 

BioVio landed Grower of the Year with their Riviera Ligure di Ponente Pigato Bon in da Bon 2015, and rightfully so, becoming the first winery to be certified organic in Italy in the 1980’s.  Ruggeri noted, “It’s like a GPS, it brings you directly to the place of the region.”  Liguria is one of the most difficult regions to grow wine grapes, because of the steep hills and rocky soils that rise above the Mediterranean Sea, where only boutique wineries make wine.  This Pigato reflects the sea, savory with a saline touch, and bright aromas of citrus, basil, and rosemary, as Ruggeri explained, “it’s a wine that speaks with a slow voice but it has so much to say, it’s even a wine that will age wonderfully.” 

​Roccafiore lassoed the Sustainable Viticulture award with it’s Grechetto di Todi Fiorfiore 2014, where everything from solar panels to label ink is done in accordance with sustainable principles.  Ruggeri observed that 2014 was the most challenging vintage Italy has had in the past 20 years, yet this relatively young winery pulled it off.  A distinctive Grechetto, it has a kind of smoky character, really full bodied, rich, and round, with a lot of ripe apple on the palate.
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White Wine of the Year
Tenuta di Tavignano won the White of the Year with its Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Misco 2015, a versatile wine that can be made in different styles, from sparkling to a late harvest dessert wine.  Sabellico remarked, “This Verdicchio is the white wine of the year because it’s a good wine to understand the Italian philosophy in white winemaking.  It’s a single vineyard, old vines, native varieties, no oak, and a long aging on the lees before being filtered and bottled, it’s a very interesting wine.”  

And best bang for your buck?  Tiberio wrapped up the Best Value for Money award, with it’s Pecorino 2015, a native varietal from the Marche region, similar in some ways to Sauvignon Blanc with its minerality and vegetal aromas.  Ruggeri stated, “I find this wine really intriguing, it’s like chomping in the glass, such a punch of energy, such a vibrant acidity, savory with a really long finish.”

Istine snared the Up and Coming Winery with its Chianti Classico LeVigne Riserva 2013, a first for winemaker Angela Fronti, whose light touch was much appreciated by Gambero Rosso for its purity and balance.  Ruggeri commented, “There is an idea in Italy that the riserva has to be more powerful, more concentration, more smoothness, more oak aging, here you have the opposite.  What you have is a pure expression of Radda in Chianti Sangiovese, always expressed in such an elegant floral character.  Violet, rose, small forest fruit, really crispy, almost crunchy, and then you will find in the glass a strong backbone, a lot of savory character and saltiness coming through.  This is such a food-friendly wine, we say in Italian this is a gastronomico, a wine that calls for food.”
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Red Wine of the Year
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Chiaromonte scooped the Red of the Year with its Gioia del Colle Primitivo Muro Sant’Angelo Contrada Barbatto 2013, a big, ripe wine that confounded everyone with its imperceptible high alcohol of almost 17%.  Winemaker Nicola Chiaromonte spoke of his special relationship with the land in the Puglia region, while Ruggeri translated, where 70-year-old vines from a single vineyard struggle to produce a mesmorizing wine, evoking an Amarone level of sweet energy.  Primitivo is the forefather of California Zinfandel, so similar, yet different, this wine’s balance and refreshing acidity kept it from overpowering the palate.

Finally, Lis Neris swept the Sweet of the Year with its Tal Lùc Cuvée Speciale, a blend of 95% Verduzzo and 5% Riesling from the 2007-2008 vintages in the Friuli region.  An extremely small production of this complex wine may leave fans wanting for more, with so much sweetness balanced by acidity, it finishes clean and vibrant.  Sabellico pronounced it unique, “you find everything in this wine, a never-ending finish, constantly changing”, with tropical fruit, saffron, and herbal aromas and flavors, aged in oak that was so integrated you didn’t even notice it.
Tre Bicchieri embodies an incredible renaissance of Italian wine, from Allegrini’s Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012, the most highly awarded Amarone ever, that had a lightness of being, to Primosic’s Collio Ribolla Gialla di Oslavia Riserva 2012, the orange wine that packed the wow factor; from the mineral and crisp Torre a Oriente Falanghina del Sannio Biancuzita 2014 to Pietradolce’s Etna Rosso V. Barbagalli 2013 whose pre-phylloxera 120-year-old vines channel the volcanic soils of Sicily’s Mt.Etna; from Tenuta San Guido’s iconic and freaking delicious Bolgheri Sassicaia to Italo Cescon’s Madre 2014, a vivacious Manzoni Bianco organic wine; from Vignalta’s Colli Euganei Rosso Gemola 2004, a prior Tre Bicchieri winner still fantastic after all this time, to Elena Walch’s Gewurztraminer Vigna Kastelaz 2015 with its intense bouquet and spice.  There were so many fabulous wines, it’s impossible to mention them all.  It’s best to purchase the Gambero Rosso guide and work your way through the fascinating cornucopia of wine that is Italy, cheers!