If you are looking to start your wine collection and want to begin with wines from one of the most important wine-producing countries in the world, here are a few tips on what to start with. Here are 4 wines to start your Italian wine collection.
1. Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. Grape Variety: San Giovese
Where Is It Produced? Tuscany
This is perhaps one of the most important wines to start with as it is known for its capacity to grow in quality with age. Brunello di Montalcino are aged in Slovenian oak barrels for 3 years, then bottled and aged in cellars. These wines are typically aged for 50 months before being released on the market. And can age for several more years to reach its peak.
2. Taurasi DOCG Grape Variety: Aglianico (and can be blended with Barbera, Piedirosso, Sangiovese)
Where Is It Produced? Campania
Known as the Brunello di Montalcino of the South of Italy, Taurasi is produced at higher than usual altitudes (400-500 meters above sea level). It is aged for 3 years (at least one of which must be in oak). If it is aged for 4 years, it is considered a Riserva.
3. Chardonnay Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Where Is It Produced? Trentino-Alto Adige – South Tyrol
You may not have expected to find a white wine on your list, but some structured white wines are worth adding to your wine collection. It’s important to note that not all Chardonnays are the same, and not all can be aged. The only Chardonnay that can be aged are those that have been aged in oak. These can be stored up to 5 years after harvest, and some more structured Chardonnays can even age up to 10 years. Definitely an interesting choice to add to the mix.
4. Barolo DOCG Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Where Is It Produced? Piedmont
Barolo wines are prestigious reds from the North of Italy known for their ability to age well. These wines age for 3 years and one and half of those years must be in oak. If aged up to 5 years, the Barolo is labeled a Riserva. The most important thing to remember about aging wine is that you must, must, must keep your wines in a dark, climate-controlled space with temperatures never fluctuating below 52°F and never above 55°F. Any shifts in temperature or light can completely destroy your bottle and your new Italian wine collection!
So prepare ahead of time and get a wine refrigerator or a cellar storage unit to ensure the quality of your wine will be optimal when you drink it in a few years time.
1. Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. Grape Variety: San Giovese
Where Is It Produced? Tuscany
This is perhaps one of the most important wines to start with as it is known for its capacity to grow in quality with age. Brunello di Montalcino are aged in Slovenian oak barrels for 3 years, then bottled and aged in cellars. These wines are typically aged for 50 months before being released on the market. And can age for several more years to reach its peak.
2. Taurasi DOCG Grape Variety: Aglianico (and can be blended with Barbera, Piedirosso, Sangiovese)
Where Is It Produced? Campania
Known as the Brunello di Montalcino of the South of Italy, Taurasi is produced at higher than usual altitudes (400-500 meters above sea level). It is aged for 3 years (at least one of which must be in oak). If it is aged for 4 years, it is considered a Riserva.
3. Chardonnay Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Where Is It Produced? Trentino-Alto Adige – South Tyrol
You may not have expected to find a white wine on your list, but some structured white wines are worth adding to your wine collection. It’s important to note that not all Chardonnays are the same, and not all can be aged. The only Chardonnay that can be aged are those that have been aged in oak. These can be stored up to 5 years after harvest, and some more structured Chardonnays can even age up to 10 years. Definitely an interesting choice to add to the mix.
4. Barolo DOCG Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Where Is It Produced? Piedmont
Barolo wines are prestigious reds from the North of Italy known for their ability to age well. These wines age for 3 years and one and half of those years must be in oak. If aged up to 5 years, the Barolo is labeled a Riserva. The most important thing to remember about aging wine is that you must, must, must keep your wines in a dark, climate-controlled space with temperatures never fluctuating below 52°F and never above 55°F. Any shifts in temperature or light can completely destroy your bottle and your new Italian wine collection!
So prepare ahead of time and get a wine refrigerator or a cellar storage unit to ensure the quality of your wine will be optimal when you drink it in a few years time.
