Summer Italian Wines From Veneto, Abruzzo, Piedmont & Emilia-Romagna
The wines below complement and expand on those written in my recent Forbes article titled Wines From Four Italian Regions To Sample This Summer.
VENETO REGION.
Col Vetoraz. Valdobbiadene. Extra Dry. Coste di Ponente. 2024. 92-93 points.
This sparkling wine with 11.5% alcohol that is made from the Glera grape has the color of white pears. Gaseous blast of firm white fruit aromas, as well as mandarins, taffy, lime and spearmint. Lovely lacquer on the cheeks and the flavors burst of spring fruits and cotton candy. Textured, brilliant, lively and creamy. Pair this with a clafoutis dessert or with salted edamame.
ABRUZZO REGION.
Cantina Zaccagnini. Chronicon. Pecorino d’Abruzzo DOC. 2024. 91 points.
This 13% alcohol wine made from the Pecorino grape includes snappy aromas of green grass and candy floss, lilacs and perfume. Crisp, citric attack followed by a creamy central palate and then tropical flavors down the gullet. This is a gin tonic meeting lemonade—zesty, fresh, lively and with a welcome spring/summertime balance of acidity and fruit. Try pairing with salmon.
Cantina Zaccagnini. San Clemente. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. DOC. 2023. 91 – 92 points.
This 13% alcohol Trebbiano from Abruzzo kicks out aromas of lemon poppyseed cake and lime spritz. Creamy and luscious citron mid palate that is mouth watering with a firm and cohesive structure. Pair with fried tuna or with cod garnished with sliced red peppers.
PIEDMONT REGION.
Bersano. Generala Riserva. Nizza DOCG. 2020. 93 points.
This 100% Barbera from 18 communities within Monferrato is aged for 30 months, of which 12 months are in wood. 15% alcohol. Aromas of fern glen, cherries, cedar, leather and hickory. Opens up splendidly to rich wafting light red fruit. In the mouth this is a dark and meaty beef Bourgougnon with some black cherries and menthol on a rich finish. Statured but calm tannins in this wine for a long Sunday afternoon lunch.
Bersano. Badarina Riserva. Barolo DOCG. 2016. 93 points.
This 14.5% alcohol Barolo is the color of prune juice, though slightly oranger. Bright, slightly dusty initial nose followed by emerging aromas of oranges, olives, hickory, sage and slight treacle. This is a light, bright, zesty and energetic Barolo that includes flavors of orange segments and bouillon. Still young.
Bersano. Nirvasco Barolo. Seralunga d’Alba DOCG. 2021. 93-94 points.
Bright acidity and crunchy full flavors of licorice, chocolate and cranberry juice. A slick river of joyful juice—far from the tannic and unapproachable Barolos of decades ago.
EMILIA-ROMAGNA REGION.
Poderi dal Nespoli. Prugneto. Sangiovese Superiore. Romagna DOC. 2023. 91 – 92 points.
This 13.5% alcohol wine includes aromas of nutty chocolate brownies, banafee pie and black cherry tart. Complex and hearty with flavors of licorice and strawberries. Suave tannins, bright acidity. Pair with green pea soup, or with chicken with mango chutney.
Poderi dal Nespoli. Gualdo. Sangiovese Predappio. Romagna DOC. 2021. 92 points.
This 13.5% alcohol wine has aromas of fruit punch melded with mocha coffee. Fresh, light and easy drinking; linear but bustling with energy. Flavors of strawberries and bon bons. Pair with a roasted chicken pie that includes sage and rosemary.
