Italian Wine: Barolo, Brunello, Amarone & More

Barolo

Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo from eleven municipalities in the Langhe hills just south of Alba in Piedmont. Under the appellation rules it must age for at least three years, a year and a half of it in oak, before release, and the local consortium describes cherries, rose and withered violet, spice, liquorice and leather over elegant, complex tannins. Our pick is Moscone Barolo Bussia DOCG 2016, a single-vineyard wine from the Bussia cru in Monforte d'Alba from a vintage critics rank among the decade's best.

Barbaresco

Also 100% Nebbiolo, Barbaresco comes from the communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso, plus part of Alba, on the other side of the town. It needs at least two years of ageing, nine months in oak, and the consortium says it is usually at its best between five and ten years. Try Moscone Barbaresco DOCG 2020.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello is made only from Sangiovese, known locally as Brunello, grown around the Tuscan hill town of Montalcino. The consortium requires at least two years in oak and four months in bottle, and the wine cannot be sold until 1 January of the fifth year after harvest. Ridolfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG goes further, with 36 months in large oak casks.

Amarone

Amarone della Valpolicella, from the hills north of Verona, is made from grapes dried for around 100 to 120 days in ventilated lofts before a slow winter fermentation, giving a dry, powerful, long-lived red. I Campi Campi Lunghi Amarone 2020 is a traditional-style example, Corvina-led with Rondinella and Croatina.

Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico comes from the historic heart of Chianti between Florence and Siena, taking in Greve, Radda, Castellina and Gaiole in Chianti. The rules call for at least 80% Sangiovese, and Riserva wines must age at least 24 months. We stock Lamole di Lamole's Duelame Chianti Classico 2024 and Lareale Chianti Classico Riserva.

Etna

Etna DOC, founded in 1968, is Sicily's oldest DOC, wrapping around Europe's highest active volcano. Its wines are built on native grapes: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for reds and Carricante for whites. From Terre dei Miti we have the Etna Rosso DOC 2024 and Etna Bianco DOC 2024.

And a white from the north

For a crisp alternative, Kellerei Kaltern Pinot Grigio DOC 2025 comes from Alto Adige in the far north. More reds are in our red wine collection.