Friday Read: Trebbiano strikes back

Trebbiano. The word sends a shiver down the spine of any self-respecting wine geek – this ubiquitous white grape is about as popular as typhus in snob circles. A sommelier acquaintance of mine (who wishes to remain anonymous) once described Trebbiano Toscano, to use its full moniker, as “Italy's viticultural embarrassment” and other unrepeatable epithets. But are they being a little harsh?

Friday Read: Lugana's long road to the limelight

Lugana, often see as an also-ran compared to the likes of Gavi and Soave, is emerging with new styles, including sparkling, to highlight the distinctive characteristics of the Turbiana grape.

Biondi-Santi: New future for an Italian legend

Legendary Tuscan producer Biondi-Santi, described back in 1932 as the ‘inventor of Brunello di Montalcino’, has seen many evolutions in its 150-year+ history. A recent tasting however, revealed an estate which has benefitted from renewed investment, plus a new CEO, who has continued to lead the portfolio into a new era under French ownership.

Bibendum keeps it light at ‘Cape & the Boot’ tasting

Under the resurgent London sunshine, Bibendum showcased two of its hottest wine regions for its ‘the Cape & the Boot’ tasting.

OIV adds Italian producer to its research consortium

Leading Valpolicella producer Masi Agricola has become the sixth member of the OIV’s technical and scientific consortium.

UGA now on Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Labels

From 1 July 2023 the term 'UGA' has been permitted to appear on the label of Gran Selezione wines.

Friday read: Aeolian eruption

Like millions of cinema-goers, my interest in the Aeolian Islands was first piqued as a child watching Professor Otto Lidenbrook and his friends emerge from their Journey to the Centre of the Earth onto the volcanic island of Stromboli, drifting away on their raft as it erupts. More recently, it has been awakened by a brief trip to the remote seven island chain to taste some of the impressive wines being produced in the rich volcanic soils.

Garda DOC comes of age

James Bayley investigates the wines of Garda DOC and asks if the region really needs to ride on the coattails of this popular tourist destination.

Uccelliera and Voliero joins Bancroft

Montalcino-based Uccelliera and Voliero have joined the Bancroft Wines portfolio, adding to its roster of family-run wineries from around the world.

Italy’s hot topics

Trading Italy's stars

David Kermode looks at the rise in popularity of Italy’s fine wines and why it’s all about Piedmont and Tuscany.

Future-proofing Prosecco

Prosecco continues to build momentum in the UK and power onwards on a global scale. Lucy Shaw looks at the trends that continue to revitalise this seemingly invincible category.

Italy bounces back

Despite another challenging year across the trade, the appetite for Italian wine is as strong as ever in the UK, James Bayley reports.

Domenico Clerico Tasting: 'Our wines are like Ferraris'

Like all great Italian institutions, Domenico Clerico’s small estate is a product of passion, producing wines with great personalities. 

New generation takes the helm at Cantina Kurtatsch

The torch is being passed to the next generation at Italian cooperative Cantina Kurtatsch in the mountains of Alto Adige.

Isole e Olena showcases new Chardonnay as Italian whites come to the fore

Yesterday (27 April), Paolo De Marchi of the Isole e Olena estate in Tuscany was in London to present a vertical tasting, albeit with a slightly unfamiliar lineup.

Prosecco DOC announces record shipments to UK

The Prosecco DOC Consortium announced record shipments to the UK in 2022, importing 130 million bottles, a 3.5% increase on 2021 volumes. 

Jascots adds Sartarelli to portfolio

Jascots Wine Merchants has added producer Sartarelli to its 750-strong portfolio, strengthening its Italian reach with this Marche-based estate.

Daou brothers turn attention to Tuscany

Daou Family Estates has expanded its reach with the purchase of an as yet unnamed property in Tuscany.

Chiaretto eyes Provence's crown

Chiaretto for Christmas? Sadly, despite more and more people drinking pink all year round, Italy’s bestselling Rosado Chiaretto di Bardolino didn’t grace many British dinner tables last December and won’t at Easter. A quick Google suggests some retailers stock it – Fortnums has two – but most main supermarkets and even The Wine Society draw a blank, suggesting the limited inroads it has made here. Which is frankly rather surprising, given the history of this wine, and the increasing popularity of the rather similar Provence rosé.