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.
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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.
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Producers in this Article
- Ajello
- Alois
- Argillae
- Argiolas
- Arnaldo Caprai
- Barba
- Barberani
- Basilisco
- Benanti
- Benito Ferrara
- Bisceglia
- Bisci
- Boccadigabbia
- Botromagno
- Bucci
- Calea
- Cantina del Taburno
- Cantine Antonio Caggiano
- Cantine del Notaio
- Cantine Lonardo - Contrade di Taurasi
- Casale del Giglio
- Case Ibidini
- Castello Monaci
- Cataldi Madonna
- Centorame
- Cerulli Spinozzi
- Ceuso
- Cocci Grifoni
- Colli di Lapio
- Colli di Serrapetrona
- Colosi
- Còlpetrone
- Corte dei Papi
- COS
- Cottanera
- Damiano Ciolli
- De Angelis
- De Conciliis
- Di Majo Norante
- Donato D’Angelo
- Donnafugata
- Falesco
- Farnese
- Fattoria di San Lorenzo
- Fattoria Laila
- Fattoria La Rivolta
- Fattoria Le Poggette
- Fattoria Milziade Antano
- Fattoria Nicodemi
- Feudi di San Gregorio
- Feudo Montoni
- Firriato
- Fongoli
- Fontezoppa
- Galardi
- Graci
- Gulfi
- Il Conte
- Il Feuduccio
- Illuminati
- I Pentri
- La Carraia
- Lamborghini
- Lanari
- La Valentina
- Leone de Castris
- Le Terrazze
- Le Vigne di Eli
- Li Veli
- Luigi Giusti
- Lungarotti
- Macarico
- Masciarelli
- Masciarelli - Castello di Semivicoli
- Masciarelli - Marina Cvetic
- Masciarelli - Villa Gemma
- Masseria Felicia
- Mastroberardino
- Matané
- Mazzei - Zisola
- Montevetrano
- Monti
- Morgante
- Murgo
- Oasi degli Angeli
- Occhipinti
- Ocone
- Pala
- Palazzone
- Passopisciaro
- Pietro Caciorgna
- Planeta
- Poderi Foglia
- Poderi San Lazzaro
- Quintodecimo
- Reale
- Rivera
- Saladini Pilastri
- Salvatore Molettieri
- Santa Anastasia
- Santadi
- Santa Lucia
- Sardus Pater
- Sartarelli
- Scacciadiavolo
- Sella & Mosca
- Selvagrossa
- Soletta
- Sportoletti
- Statti
- Tabarrini
- Tasca d'Almerita
- Tenuta delle Terre Nere
- Tenuta di Fessina
- Tenuta di Pietra Porzia
- Tenuta di Tavignano
- Tenuta Vitalonga
- Terra dei Re
- Terre del Principe
- Terredora
- Torre Quarto
- Tratturi
- Umani Ronchi
- Valentini
- Valle dell'Acate
- Valle Reale
- Velenosi
- Vesevo
- Vestini Campagnano
- Vigne Deriu
- Vigne Surrau
- Villa Bucci - Tenuta Pongelli
- Villa Matilde
- Villa Matilde - Tenute Rocca dei Leoni
- Villa Medoro
- Vinosia