What are some good Italian wine producers?

What are some good Italian wine producers?

Piedmont or Tuscany? ...or other?

Any concerns about price?

I'm not VERY familiar with these, but I do know SOME names....

Chianti....
Antinori (especially the more expensive "Tenuta de Marchesi" bottling)
Monsanto (used to be fine, haven't had anything recent)
Brolio (last I knew, the were only using the traditional grapes, i.e. no Cab or Merlot!)
Ruffino (should be good?)

Brunello...
Pertimali
Pogio Antico
Argiano
Col D'Orcia
Altesino

Barolo and Piedmont...
Giacosa (great classics...)
Ceretto
Aldo Conterno
Mascarello
Rinaldi
Gaja (I suppose.... Newer style? I haven't had one yet!)

These are some of the "classic" producers I can think of. None of these will be especially cheap though. At least $35 and up...

Piedmont or Tuscany? ...or other?

Either or

Any concerns about price?

I'm not VERY familiar with these, but I do know SOME names....

Not ultra expensive (under $40, preferably $15-35)

We crossed paths! See my updated post above.

We crossed paths! See my updated post above.

lol, thanks!

Hmmm.... the names I mentioned tend to be the old classics, and they aren't cheap, for the most part. OTOH, I know that there are a lot of very good and relatively inexpensive Italian wines being made today, maybe part of the overall increase in winemaking expertise world-wide? I've had some of these at off-lines, but don't remember the names. It might be a good idea to find a knowledgable retailer who can recommend something, or else hope for some more "useful" replies from others!

Brolio has used Merlot extensively since the mid-90s.

Carlo Ferini was their winemaker then (from the Mazzi family) and they developed quite a bit of Merlot in their formula.

Ruffino...so/so, went almost totally mega-commercial.

Monsanto is still good.

Fonterutoli is good as well.

Hmmm.... the names I mentioned tend to be the old classics, and they aren't cheap, for the most part. OTOH, I know that there are a lot of very good and relatively inexpensive Italian wines being made today, maybe part of the overall increase in winemaking expertise world-wide? I've had some of these at off-lines, but don't remember the names. It might be a good idea to find a knowledgable retailer who can recommend something, or else hope for some more "useful" replies from others!

The Chianti's you mentioned seem rather affordable, I'll check some of those out. I have a 2004 Argiano Brunello on my rack that I am saving.

The best wine Italian I had was a bottle that was bottle that was 100% merlot, I forgot the name, it ran about $100/bottle for wholesale pricing.

Mario Ercolino is pretty good.

Stefan Cesari may not be the best Amarone producer, but I'd guess he's the most knowledgeable.

Riccardo Cotarella...well, at this point I guess it doesn't matter whether he's very good. He's incredibly successful.

Tedeschi.

Sicilia: Feudo Maccari-Saia 2007 Really nice wine from the Nero d'Avola grape. Costs around €15,-

For Chianti Classico and Sangiovese based IGT Toscana, I am faithful to Fèlsina and Fontodi. The former also practices reasonable prices; about 15 evaporating Euros for the basic CC and €30 for the IGT Fontalloro.

Abe, Hi....


With all due respect, asking for the names of some good Italian producers has something akin to asking where one can find grains of sand on the beaches of Israel. As there are zillions of grains of sand, there are literally hundreds of fine Italian producers so before I jump in here (although the names given above are fine), let us know a bit about what you enjoy in the way of wine. Are you looking for wines that are full-bodied or lighter, loaded with firm tannins or have softly caressing tannins, tend to a bitter note, tend to sweetness, fruit forward, meant for early drinking or for cellaring.

Also give us a clue as to where you live so that we will be able to suggest wines that will be available.

Best
Rogov

Abe, Hi....


With all due respect, asking for the names of some good Italian producers has something akin to asking where one can find grains of sand on the beaches of Israel. As there are zillions of grains of sand, there are literally hundreds of fine Italian producers so before I jump in here (although the names given above are fine), let us know a bit about what you enjoy in the way of wine. Are you looking for wines that are full-bodied or lighter, loaded with firm tannins or have softly caressing tannins, tend to a bitter note, tend to sweetness, fruit forward, meant for early drinking or for cellaring.

Also give us a clue as to where you live so that we will be able to suggest wines that will be available.

Best
Rogov

Nah, the more I think about it, the more I believe you can stop at Cotarella. Name me a serious Italian producer who wouldn't want to be him.

Abe,
I suggest you go to the Wine Exchange website winex.com and look at their hundreds of Italian wines. Pretty much all the producers are reputable and most anything in your price range will be an very fine wine.

Masciarelli for great flavor and value.

Abe, Hi....


With all due respect, asking for the names of some good Italian producers has something akin to asking where one can find grains of sand on the beaches of Israel. As there are zillions of grains of sand, there are literally hundreds of fine Italian producers so before I jump in here (although the names given above are fine), let us know a bit about what you enjoy in the way of wine. Are you looking for wines that are full-bodied or lighter, loaded with firm tannins or have softly caressing tannins, tend to a bitter note, tend to sweetness, fruit forward, meant for early drinking or for cellaring.

Also give us a clue as to where you live so that we will be able to suggest wines that will be available.

Best
Rogov

Alechem Shalom,

I am in Chicago!

I am looking for something to drink within a few years, and I am a fan of merlot and cab sav type wines.

let us know a bit about what you enjoy in the way of wine. Are you looking for wines that are full-bodied or lighter, loaded with firm tannins or have softly caressing tannins, tend to a bitter note, tend to sweetness, fruit forward, meant for early drinking or for cellaring.

I am looking for something to drink within a few years, and I am a fan of merlot and cab sav type wines.

I still think you're going to need to be more specific. Or should we assume that you like soft New World wines?

Regardless, if you're in Chicago there are lots of great shops that can give you personal guidance.

let us know a bit about what you enjoy in the way of wine. Are you looking for wines that are full-bodied or lighter, loaded with firm tannins or have softly caressing tannins, tend to a bitter note, tend to sweetness, fruit forward, meant for early drinking or for cellaring.

I am looking for something to drink within a few years, and I am a fan of merlot and cab sav type wines.

I still think you're going to need to be more specific. Or should we assume that you like soft New World wines?

Regardless, if you're in Chicago there are lots of great shops that can give you personal guidance.

Sorry, I mean old world.