Sucking Grapes

Ten of the most influential producers of Amarone have teamed up to reverse what they call the ‘trading down’ of one of Italy’s most important wines, Amarone. The producers have formed an association, Le Famiglie dell’Amarone d’arte or Amarone Families, to voice their concern over what they see as the wine’s increasing loss of identity. (more…)

The recent decision of Bruno Giacosa not to bottle any of his Barolo or Barbaresco of the 2006 vintage has caused quite a stir in Italy. After the announcement, the estate’s English importer Armit was quick to point out that a stroke Giacosa suffered in the same year made it impossible for him to be in the vineyard or the cellar, suggesting his poor health was the main reason for the allegedly unusually low quality of the wines resulting in this financially tough decision. (more…)