The list of the most expensive Italian wines reads like an ode to tradition.
© WSET
| Unsurprisingly, the Italian reds dominate this list without a white in sight.
Few countries can boast the great diversity, history and culture of Italian wines.
The country has a wealth of more than 2000 indigenous grapes, although less than 400 are used in the commercial production of wine. However, as much as Italy is a lover of tradition, as the Super Tuscans demonstrate, the country has also not been shy about adopting international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah and blending them with Italian stalwarts such as Sangiovese The resulting wines are among the most expensive in Italy: on this list, representing the Super Tuscans, is Masseto Toscana IGT, priced at a cool $952.
However, this list is surprisingly empty of the new modern blends that blazed a trail in the 1970s, instead the following is a true love letter to tradition.
Of the 10 wines listed below, five are Barolo, demonstrating the enduring love for Nebbiolo, with Giacomo Conterno Monfortino, Barolo Riserva DOCG once again taking the top spot, although the price has risen slightly since last year to 1307 dollars. Second on the list, Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, has climbed to $1,091 from last year’s fourth place at $911.
Brunello di Montalcino is another traditional favourite. These listed wines from Tuscany use the Brunello grape, also known as Sangiovese Grosso, a variety of Sangiovese local to the region for its premium expressions, in which Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera seems to excel. In third place is Roagna Crichet Paje with its Barbaresco at 978 dollars; Barbaresco is another hero of Piedmont. Although Roagna Crichet Paje brings the only Barbaresco to this list, it has managed to retain last year’s spot by putting it up there with the best of them.
The most expensive Italian wines in the world on Wine-Searcher:
The Super Tuscan ranks fourth, moving up one place on last year’s list, while the Capellano Otin Fiorin Pie Franco –Michet ranks fifth–, again one place higher.
In sixth place is Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Riserva at $837, which was not on last year’s list at all, and in seventh is another Brunello di Montalcino from Case Basse Di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana. In eighth place is another offering from Roagna, this time with a Barolo, and ninth place sees one of the few wines that has dropped a few places on the list. The Miani Calvari ranked seventh last year with a price of $709, this year it has an average price of $670. However, with a critic score that hasn’t deviated from a maximum of 95 points, it might be the comparative deal to pull from this list.
Finally, rounding out our top 10 most expensive Italians, is the same one that took last place last year. Although Bruno Giacosa’s Le Rocche di Castiglione Falletto has dropped a bit in price from $670 to $649, it hasn’t dropped the score which remains an impressive 94.
This list is clearly not about spectacular rises or even massive declines, but rather the steady Eddy. Barolo may not be the high-investment wine for a quick return in the way that Burgundy, Bordeaux and even some whiskeys are, but it holds its value, rising, for the most part, through of a constant increase instead of a sharp inflection. trend.
A fitting profile for most wines on this list that need decades in the cellar before approaching their creation.
To join the conversation, comment on our social media channels.