AA.VV. - Italian Wines 2022

Were optimists. Incurable optimists. But our optimism has a foundationits rooted in certainties. This, our 35th edition of Italian Wines, contains reviews of 2,634 producers and 25,000 wines, 476 of which achieved our highest score. Since 1987, when our adventure began, weve experienced dozens of events that have been adverse (to say the least) for our sector: global economic crises, stock market crashes, terrorist attacks, bank failures, armed conflicts, repeated atmospheric disasters, global warming The only thing missing was a pandemic, and here it is ... But this late summer, when Italian Wines goes to press, the signs coming from markets and the industry are more than positive. Due to some excellent recent vintages, and the problems that slowed down the International distribution of Italian wine over the last year, records in sales and bookings are being broken. All the traditionally reviewed wineries, as well as many new ones, sent us samples for tastings in recent months. These are high-level wines, dazzling and polished like never before. The world of Italian wine is mature, offering quality products recognized worldwide. It includes top-performing managers (whether they be family producers or large groups) who have once again rolled up their sleeves and recovered lost ground, in part by supporting (and this needs to be emphasized) the quality food and restaurant sector, which both in Italy and in the world has suffered more, perhaps, than any other during this difficult period. We can only congratulate them. They have spent more than a year looking after their vineyards and updating their cellars, and the results of their work are there for everyone to see in the following pages. As for us, lets say that after 35 years of experience, our enthusiasm has never waned. Ours is a team of collaborators unequaled in the world, and the stubborn, tenacious will to move forward has paid off. This is the most beautiful and complete version of the guide ever, and we have already left (while taking all the necessary precautions) for our never-ending world tour, together with the best Italian wines, supported by English, German, Chinese and Japanese translations of the guide. We are optimistic, the world of Italian wine is optimistic. For us all three glasses are always full!

So in the wake of brilliant vintages such as 2016 in Montalcino, 2019 in Chianti Classico, 2018 in Barbaresco and Bolgheri, with the substantial revaluation of the 2018 and 2019 vintages for white production areas such as Friuli and Castelli di Jesi, we found ourselves with over 2,000 wines in the finals, and what wines! 476 Tre Bicchieri emerged from our latest tastings, again a record number (steadily about 1% of the bottles tasted every year). In short, Italian wine continues to grow in terms of quality.

As we are fond of repeating, the best way to understand the philosophy of the guide is probably through a thorough examination of our special rewards. And here they are.

The Red of the Year is Argianos amazing Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Suolo 16, a historic wine recently reborn under the skillful care of a new owner and highly competent team. The White of the Year is Livio Fellugas Rosazzo Terre Alte 18. A precursor to great, contemporary Friulian blends, it has long been an ageworthy, complex and fascinating wine, but this vintage adds a touch of magic that makes it unforgettable, while also consecrating the history of a family long dedicated to wine. The Sparkler of the Year returns to Valdobbiadene (to Cartizze to be precise). Villa Sandis Rivetta 20 is a spectacular wine produced by a rapidly growing winery, and its also a pioneer of a new, more current style, the first Cartizze to be offered in a Brut version. Our Ros of the Year is always difficult to choose, but when we tasted Brigantes Gaglioppo Rosato Zero, awarded for the first time, we had no hesitations. Anyone who thinks that Calabria is stuck in a pass stylistic approach should taste it (and read the reviews for the rest of the region)their mind will change. Theres something stirring in Calabria The Sweet Wine of the Year is an absolute surprise: its the compelling Zhabib Passito 20 by Hibiscus, a small winery from Ustica that makes an extraordinary debut in our guide. Simply irresistible. Our Best Value for Money award this year goes to Tenute Rubinos absolutely delicious Susumaniello Oltrem 19, a thrilling, affordable red, and above all a forerunner of a trend that is sure to become very important in Puglia in the coming years. The most special of our special awards is our Solidarity Award. Giuseppe Paganos San Salvatore 1988 has dedicated a vineyard of Aglianico located in Paestum to financing PAIRI (Cicerales international center for autism research, which works with over 3000 young people). With the grapes cultivated, Riccardo Cotarella will produce 1000 magnums of the Quattro Cuori every year. Its a super-Aglianico that will be sold worldwide by Antinori. The first vintage is 2019. The award for Sustainable Viticulture goes to Venetos Brigaldara, one of the most prestigious wineries operating in Valpolicella, where Stefano Cesari shows the utmost respect for the environment and human beings, perhaps even more than to his splendid grapes. Our Up-and-Coming Winery is the Moratti familys Bentu Luna, a Sardinian producer whose superb red wines come from old vineyards, rescued from abandonment, but who are also having an extraordinary impact on the social fabric of Barbagia. Tre Bicchieri for the first time for an excellent Sobi 19, a red made with traditional grapes. The Cooperative of the Year is Puglias San Marzano, which in addition to creating a range of excellent wines sold all over the world is also a true model of organization. The 2022 Grower of the Year is Gianni Doglia.