Exploring the Best of Central and Southern Italy

By Antonio Galloni

My tastings of central and southern Italy were the largest and broadest I have ever done. I found a number of properties that were new to me, but also tasted a huge number of wines that left a lot to be desired. Times are tough; there is no doubt about that. Demand in many markets remains weak while the shrinking power of the US dollar has begun to eat into margins in a big way. It appears that many wineries are making the choice to compete on price and are willing to sacrifice quality in the process. Given the nature of the times, it’s hard to be too critical of cash-constrained wineries struggling to survive, but the simple fact is that many wines are falling out of the range where they are truly interesting. Make no mistake about it, given the enormous amount of great wine being produced virtually everywhere in the world today, that is exactly what is on the line. I continue to be convinced the regions of the south and center have virtually unlimited potential, but winemakers have to be willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to compete on the global stage. Where producers remain diligent and focused on quality, the wines are compelling. At their best the wines of center and south offer an amazing range of diversity and value.