Vintages - Hidden Treasure

One of the most storied, celebrated and beautiful winemaking countries on the planet, Italy is famous for its best-known wines and yet has so much that remains hidden to all but the keenest connoisseurs. Join us as we explore the little-known niches of Italian wine and discover the wonders within. Seeking something novel and exciting from a classic corner of the winemaking world? Look no further.

Nestled in northeastern Italy between the soaring Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Friuli is part of the larger Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, where grand Renaissance palazzos sit side by side with architecture reminiscent of neighbouring Austria and Slovenia. Home to world-class skiing and equally world-class winemaking, the region was historically known for white wines (especially from the local Friulano grape) but has recently begun gaining international attention and accolades for its reds.

The finest examples of Friuli reds, often made with international varieties, are elegant and expressive, with vibrant fruit character and plenty of food-friendly acidity.

West of Friuli in the alpine foothills halfway between Venice and Milan sits the glittering Lake Garda, which is the largest lake in Italy and a popular tourist destination. Its waters and shoreline are divided between the provinces of Brescia (to the southwest), Verona/Veneto (southeast) and Trentino (north) in Italy’s northern reaches. Along its shores sits a series of tiny yet fascinating wine regions, each with its own specialties.

The Bardolino region is best known for nervy red wines made from the same Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella grapes used in nearby Valpolicella. Lugana, meanwhile, has built its reputation on bold, complex white wines made from a local strain of Italy’s ubiquitous Trebbiano grape.

Situated south of the Tanaro River in between the world-famous appellations of Barolo and Barbaresco in Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region, the rolling hillsides of Langhe are home to picturesque vineyards that are gaining prominence on the world stage. Rich in history and natural beauty, the Langhe has been inhabited since Neolithic times and, along with its neighbours Monferrato and Roero, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

Much like Barolo and Barbaresco, the Langhe makes its most celebrated wines from the local Nebbiolo grape. These are elegant, structured wines, the best examples of which can exhibit extraordinary longevity.

Smack-dab in the middle of central mainland Italy is the region of Umbria. Bordered by Tuscany to the west and north, Marche to the east and Lazio to the south, Umbria is the only landlocked region on the Apennine Peninsula. Despite this, its geography and natural beauty are defined by water features: the great Tiber River, tranquil Lake Trasimeno, and cascading Marmore Falls, the latter a man-made waterfall engineered by the ancient Romans.

Umbria’s most celebrated wines are reds made from the Sagrantino variety grown in the Montefalco appellation and Sangiovese-based wines made in the hilly appellation of Torgiano.

South of Umbria in the inland reaches of western Italy’s Campania region is the tiny town of Taurasi. It sits within the province of Avellino, whose charming towns and villages are, compared to the bustling tourist hotspots elsewhere in Italy, almost completely unknown to outsiders. Taurasi itself is centred around the
Palazzo Baronale, which dates to Roman times but is now in a Renaissance style.

Surrounding Taurasi are vineyards planted with the Aglianico grape, thought to have been so named by the Greeks, although the vine itself may be native to southern Italy. The wines of Taurasi have helped earn Aglianico its reputation as, along with Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, one of Italy’s three most distinguished varieties.

As a cultural touchpoint and tourist spot, Sicily, the sprawling Mediterranean island just off the tip of mainland Italy’s boot, is known the world over. Its prominence as a stopover along ancient trade routes shaped its unique confluence of Greek, Romanic, Byzantine, Arabic, Norman, Gothic and Baroque architectures and cultures, while its prominence as a backdrop in The Godfather made it part of the global zeitgeist. Less well known are the region’s wines, which are nearly as diverse as the island itself.

Some of Sicily’s finest reds are made from the Nero d’Avola grape, which thrives in the arid vineyards and produces rich, intense wines. Also impressive are reds made from the Nerello Mascalese variety, which primarily grows on the slopes of Mount Etna and produces elegant, expressive wines.