It’s been said before, but Italians really know how to live and much of that is about good food and good wine. Yes, we can learn a lot from the Italians!
Italy is blessed with some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world and if you’re looking for a wine holiday, you would be hard pushed to find a better destination.
That inviting climate, the stunning settings, the people and the wine… oh, the wine! And the food! Can you tell that we love Italy?
Italy is still the world’s largest wine producer in terms of volume and, of course, it would be a sweeping generalisation to say it was all great, but trust us when we say that a great proportion of it is spectacular.
Italy has 20 defined wine regions and they all offer something slightly different. Variety is the spice of life, according to the Italians and wine lovers could spend a month in the country and not run out of new varieties to enjoy.
There are more than 2,000 (yes 2,000) different grape varieties grown in this Mediterranean gem so you can be like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop here.
The funny thing is some of the less well-known Italian varieties have come under serious pressure from more common French varieties. Despite its attention to tradition, it seems that even Italian producers are not averse to commercial pressures.
To help to turn that tide, there’s a sort of mini revolution happening in Italy. This has come in the form of a drive to reinvigorate passions for the indigenous Italian varieties such as Nero d’Avola and Fiano.
A second coming of traditional Italian wines is happening now and it’s very exciting.
It’s not difficult to sniff out phenomenal Italian wines, even if you’re not inclined to stray too far off the beaten track.
When you think of Italian wines, Tuscany is probably one of the first regions that springs to mind, and rightly so. Tuscan wines are, quite simply, incredible.
You probably know of, or have at least heard of, Super Tuscans. These typically big, bold, rich offerings can be some of the most exciting wines you will ever enjoy.
Of course, for many of them you will pay a princely sum but there are also some fantastic reasonably-priced options too.
For those of us not lucky enough to be making an escape from Blighty’s weather to the Italian sunshine, Italian wine gets plenty of shelf space in UK stores.
At Lockett Bros, we have a comprehensive stock of Italian beauties.
Three to try…
Bright, straw yellow colour with a fresh, youthful bouquet with a mineral note adding complexity. On the palate it is well-balanced and clean, with a nice weight of ripe fruit and a crisp finish.
Ruby red in colour, this wine has enticing aromas of cherry with dark chocolate notes. In texture, it is velvety, well-balanced and offers ripe, juicy dark fruit, with silky tannins and refreshing acidity. This wine has the potential to age for at least 10 years.
Such a brilliant little Chianti. Full flavoured with distinctly earthy tones. Quite rich on the nose, followed by a substantial breadth on the palate and good length on the finish.
Want to know more about Italian wines? Great! Visit our online store here or pop in and see the guys at the Lockett Bros store, 133 High Street, North Berwick.
