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- BARBARESCO,7
- "Barbaresco: One of Italy's best, made in Piedmont hills from Nebbiolo grapes."
- " One of the first 4 wines to be classified DOCG (Denominazione di"
- " Origine Controllata e Guarantita) in 1963, a guarantee of superiority."
- " Robust, tannic when young, ages with grace; at best subtle, fine."
- " Neighbor of Barolo wines but lighter, maturing sooner."
- " At 3 years, the wine is called Riserva."
- " The best producers include Gaja."
- BARBERA,10
- "A dark, acidic Piedmont grape, producing sturdy, full-bodied, fruity wines."
- "The following are DOC wines (Denominazione di Origine Controllata):"
- "Barbera d'Asti: Best of the Barberas, made only from Barbera grapes."
- " Refined, grapy. Age at least 3-4 years; best at 5 to 8. Good value."
- "Barbera d'Alba: More tannin than Barbera d'Asti. Fragrant, earthy fruit."
- " Sometimes Alba Nebbiolo is added. Improves with 3-4 years."
- "Barbera del Monferrato: Produced in large area of central Piedmont."
- " Varies from light to full-bodied; sweet or frizzante (semi-sparkling)."
- "Bricco Manzoni: Excellent blend of Barbera and Nebbiolo grapes."
- " Not classified as DOC, but still sturdy, lively, fruity; some finesse."
- BARDOLINO,9
- "Bardolino: Produced on the east shore of Lake Garda in Veneto."
- " Pale, light, slightly bitter. Best when young and slightly cooled."
- " Classified as DOC, as are the following Lake Garda varieties:"
- "Chiaretto Bardolino: One of Italy's best roses from Lake Garda."
- " Paler and lighter than Bardolino; best when young."
- "Riviera del Garda Chiaretto: Well-known rose from Moniga del Garda."
- " Cherry-pink color, fresh and slightly bitter taste. Drink young."
- "Riviera del Garda Rosso: Full-bodied, red version of the above; ages well."
- " Robust and coarser than its neighbor Bardolino."
- BAROLO,8
- "Barolo: One of the first 4 wines to be classified DOCG, the government"
- " guarantee of authenticity and superiority."
- " Leading red wine of the Piedmont area and one of Italy's best."
- " Dark, rich, alcoholic, dry and deep-flavored, from Nebbiolo grapes."
- " Slow to mature but long-lived; ages up to 15 years."
- " After at least 4 years, it is Riserva; 5 for Riserva Speciale."
- "Nebbiolo d'Alba: A good, lighter-weight Barolo made from the same grape."
- " Barolo not reaching the standard 12% alcohol is sold under this name."
- BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO,10
- "Brunello di Montalcino: One of the first 4 wines to be classified DOCG,"
- " guaranteeing its authenticity and superiority."
- " Produced near Siena, in Tuscany, of 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes."
- " Strong, dark, full-bodied, high-flavored; aged 4 years in wood."
- " Long-lived and slow to mature. After 5 years, it is called Riserva."
- " Impressive and very expensive wine."
- "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Another DOCG wine produced near Siena."
- " A traditional, excellent Tuscan red made mostly from Sangiovese Grosso."
- " Rich color, flavor and bouquet; good value. Best estate: Boscarelli."
- " Ages well: 3 years is Riserva, 4 is Riserva Speciale."
- CHIANTI,10
- "Chianti: The local wine of Florence--light and pleasant, classified as DOC."
- " Fresh and fruity when young; after 3 years is called Riserva."
- " Surrounding sub-districts are Rufina, Montalbano, Aretini, Pisane,"
- " Colli Fiorentini, Senesi."
- "Chianti Classico: From central Chianti district between Florence and Siena."
- " Superior wine, medium to full-bodied; the best are powerful, scented."
- " The best vintages age well, with elegance, bouquet. Riserva: 3 years."
- " The oldest (c. 1200) estate is Brolio, now owned by Seagrams."
- "Chianti Putto: Produced outside the Classico zone, not classified DOC."
- " Fairly good; characterized by a pink and white cherub on the label."
- GATTINARA,10
- "Nebbiolo: The best red grape of the Piedmont and Lombardy regions."
- " Used for Barolo, Barbaresco, Valtellina, and the following wines:"
- "Gattinara (DOC): Excellent; like Barolo but lighter, refined when young."
- " Can be aged 10 years or more. Good value from northern Piedmont."
- "Ghemme (DOC): A neighbor of Gattinara made from Nebbiolo grapes."
- " Not as fine but capable of Bordeaux-style finesse. Good value."
- "Spanna: The local name for the Nebbiolo grape of the Gattinara region."
- " Also a sturdy, full-bodied wine, often requiring long aging."
- "Lessona (DOC): Produced near Gattinara but lighter in body."
- " Soft, dry, fruity and claret-like wine which ages well."
- LAMBRUSCO DI SORBARA,8
- "Lambrusco: Popular light red wines; vary from secco (dry) to amabile (sweet)."
- " Usually slightly sweet, often frizzante (semi-sparkling)."
- " Best when very young and chilled."
- " This wine is classified as DOC, as are the following:"
- "Lambrusco di Sorbara: The best, produced near Modena in Emilia-Romagna."
- "Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro: Similar to Lambrusco di Sorbara."
- " Aromatic and pleasantly acidic; often drunk with rich food."
- "Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce: Also similar; fruity and acidic."
- TAURASI,7
- "Taurasi: The best red wine of Campania, produced near Avellino."
- " Full-bodied, harsh and tannic when young, but ages with finesse."
- " After 4 years, it is labeled Riserva. Quite expensive; classed as DOC."
- " Leading producer of Taurasi is Mastroberardino, which also makes:"
- "Lacrima Cristi del Vesuvio: Literally, `tears of Christ.' Not a DOC wine."
- " Various wines grown on the hills of Mount Vesuvius near Naples."
- " Although famous, the red is full-bodied but fairly ordinary."
- TRENTINO/ALTO ADIGE,10
- "The northernmost province of Italy, with a mountainous cool climate."
- "Its several DOC varietal wines are mostly named after their grapes:"
- "Cabernet: Bordeaux grape with varieties Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon."
- "Merlot del Trentino: Wine made from Merlot, a popular red Bordeaux grape."
- " Lively, full flavor; grassy aroma. Quality improves with 2-3 years."
- "Pinot Nero Trentino: Light red wine, burgundy scent, from Pinot Noir grape."
- "Santa Maddalena: One of the best in Bolzano, from Schiava grapes. Good value."
- " Full-bodied, slight almond flavor. A similar wine is Caldaro."
- "Teroldego Rotaliano: The leading red of Trentino, and a good value locally."
- " Well-balanced, with a blackberry aroma and slightly bitter aftertaste."
- VALPOLICELLA,9
- "Valpolicella: Excellent light red DOC wine produced near Verona."
- " Smooth, fruity, nutty aroma, slightly bitter. Best when young, cooled."
- " Famous Valpolicella producers include Bolla, Bertani, and Masi, Cantina."
- " Valpolicella with 12% alcohol is called Superiore."
- "Amarone (Recioto Amarone della Valpolicella): Full-bodied, 14-15% alcohol."
- " Recioto wines are made from concentrated sugars of very ripe grapes."
- " Amarone is dry, strongly flavored, somewhat bitter. Expensive."
- "Recioto della Valpolicella (DOC): Sweet, sometimes sparkling or frizzante."
- "Valpantena: A light red wine similar to Valpolicella; not as high quality."
- VALTELLINA,10
- "The main wine-producing region of Lombardy, using Nebbiolo grapes, including:"
- "Grumello: One of the best Valtellina wines, labeled Valtellina Superiore."
- " Firm, sometimes delicate and fine. Classified as DOC."
- "Inferno: Similar to Grumello, with the same ranking, but ages better."
- " Can develop a perfumed bouquet, especially after about 5 years."
- "Sassella: Good, medium-bodied wine mentioned by Leonardo da Vinci."
- " Tough when young, but good vintages age well. Good value."
- "Sfursat (Sforzato): Similar to Recioto Amarone (see Valpolicella)."
- " Made from partly dried grapes. Full-bodied, strong, ages well."
- "Valgella: Dry, matures slowly. After 4 years, becomes Riserva. Good value."
- 1961,9,N,8,N,6,O,10,NA,6,NO,6,O,8,N,10,O,10,N,7,N,7,O,8,O
- 1962,8,N,8,N,9,O,8,N,*,*,8,O,5,O,4,0,4,O,5,O,8,O,5,O
- 1963,2,O,4,O,6,O,4,O,*,*,4,O,2,O,6,O,4,O,5,O,7,O,5,O
- 1964,10,N,9,N,8,O,10,N,10,NA,8,O,10,N,4,O,8,N,9,N,9,O,10,N
- 1965,6,O,6,O,6,O,7,N,6,N,5,O,5,O,5,O,6,O,3,O,6,O,4,O
- 1966,2,O,2,O,6,O,5,N,7,NA,5,O,5,O,4,O,8,N,6,O,7,O,5,O
- 1967,8,NA,7,N,7,O,8,N,8,NA,7,N,5,Y,5,O,8,N,6,O,8,O,5,O
- 1968,6,N,6,N,7,O,7,N,6,NA,8,N,8,N,6,O,10,N,5,O,7,O,5,O
- 1969,7,N,7,N,9,O,7,N,7,NA,8,N,8,N,6,O,6,N,10,N,8,O,7,N
- 1970,8,NA,8,N,7,O,7,NA,10,NA,8,NA,8,N,7,O,8,N,8,N,7,O,8,NA
- 1971,10,NA,10,NA,8,O,10,N,9,NA,8,NA,5,O,8,N,8,N,8,N,8,O,8,NA
- 1972,2,O,2,O,5,O,4,Y,5,N,5,N,3,O,5,O,6,N,4,O,8,O,6,N
- 1973,6,N,5,O,7,O,5,N,6,N,5,N,5,N,6,O,8,NA,4,O,7,N,6,N
- 1974,9,NA,8,NA,7,O,8,NA,6,Y,7,N,9,NA,6,O,6,NA,5,N,7,N,6,N
- 1975,5,NA,5,NA,8,O,6,NA,9,Y,9,NA,6,NA,7,N,8,NA,6,N,8,NA,6,N
- 1976,5,NA,5,NA,8,N,6,NA,5,Y,5,N,8,NA,6,N,6,NA,6,NA,6,N,5,NA
- 1977,5,Y,2,N,8,N,6,Y,7,Y,8,NA,5,N,6,N,10,Y,6,NA,8,NA,5,NA
- 1978,9,Y,7,Y,6,N,7,Y,8,Y,7,N,7,Y,6,N,8,Y,8,Y,7,N,5,Y
- 1979,8,Y,8,Y,8,N,9,Y,7,Y,9,Y,8,Y,8,N,9,Y,8,Y,8,N,8,Y
- 1980,7,Y,7,Y,7,N,7,Y,8,Y,8,Y,7,Y,8,N,8,Y,8,Y,7,Y,7,Y