Italy, the world's largest producer of wine, has a wide variety of wines. The unique wines made from local grape varieties will make you feel cheerful just by drinking them. There is a wide range of wines to choose from, with prices ranging from cheap to high-end.
This time, we will introduce wines with particularly good cost performance among the wide variety of Italian wines.
Best cost performance Italian white wine [Verdicchio]
Verdicchio is a white wine made from Verdicchio grapes grown in the Marche region of central Italy. There are two types of Verdicchio: ``Verdicchio dei Castelli di Iesi'', which is made near the coast, and ``Verdicchio di Materica'', which is made inland. The climate is different near the coast, with a maritime climate, and inland, a mountainous climate, and the taste is also different. Yesi has a mineral and crisp taste, while Materica has a white flower scent and an elegant taste. Both are DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin), but ``Verdicchio dei Castelli di Iesi Riserva'' and ``Verdicchio di Materica Riserva'', which are aged longer, have a DOCG (Controlled Designation of Origin) at the top of the classification. Guaranteed Designation of Origin).
The name Verdicchio comes from the word "verde" (green), and it has a greenish-yellow color with hints of peach and apple. Riserva is a golden yellow color with hints of pineapple fruit, almonds and honey.
This wine is also famous for its unique bottle shape. It is a bottle with a neck in the shape of an ancient Greek and ancient Roman vase called an amphora. It was also called "fish wine" because its shape resembles a fish. Nowadays, Bordeaux-shaped bottles have become mainstream, but it is still popular as ``fish wine.''
It's not just the shape of the bottle that makes it called fish wine. In Italy, Verdicchio is known as a white wine that pairs well with fish and is a must for restaurants that serve fish. It goes well with any way of cooking the fish, including raw, grilled, baked, and fried. Moreover, it is a popular wine with good value for money.
Moncalo “Verde Calpute Verdicchio Superiore”
Moncalo is a cooperative founded in 1964, and currently practices organic farming and strives to produce sustainable wine.
``Verde Calpute Verdicchio Superiore'' has hints of acacia flowers and herbs, and the taste is fresh, clean, and dry. The wine has a mellow flavor due to the sur-lie method, which leaves the lees generated during fermentation in the tank without removing them. It can be paired with a variety of fish dishes, and goes well with raw fish and crustaceans.
Moncalo Verde Calpute Verdicchio Superiore [2021] 750ml/White
Umani Ronchi “Planio Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva”
Umanironchi is a leading producer in the Marche region, and owns vineyards not only in the Marche region but also in the neighboring Abruzzo region, with an area of 210 hectares.
``Planio Verdicchio dei Castelli di Iesi Classico Riserva'' has nuances of ripe apples, almonds, herbs, and honey, and has a soft texture with a well-balanced acidity, alcohol, and saltiness, and a long finish. is also a feature. Verdicchio can be paired not only with fish dishes but also with chicken.
Umani Ronchi Planio Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva 750ml White
Best value red wine [Montepulciano d'Abruzzo]
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a red wine from the Abruzzo region in central Italy. Abruzzo is Italy's greenest region, with 36% of its area covered by national parks. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, produced in such a naturally rich area, accounts for approximately 80% of Abruzzo's Denomination of Origin wine and is one of the most produced DOC wines in Italy. The grape variety is Montepulciano. Although it is inexpensive due to its wide production area, it has been attracting attention in recent years for its powerful, full-bodied wine.
It has a deep color, rich berry fruit flavor, and firm tannins. Pleasant to drink and food friendly. It can be paired with a wide variety of dishes such as pasta, vegetables, and meat dishes.
In Tuscany, there is a wine called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, in this case Montepulciano being the name of the place. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine made from Sangiovese grapes, so don't confuse them.
"Cusa Grande" Rocco Secco Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
The producer practices organic farming and has obtained organic certification. There are hints of ripe berry fruits and vanilla. The tannins are smooth and round, with a good balance between alcohol and tannins. This is a wine that you would want to enjoy with pork or beef dishes.
Valle Reale “Vigneto Sant’Eusanio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo”
This winery is located within a lush national park. Because it is located in a mountainous area at a high altitude, there is a large temperature difference between day and night, and the grapes ripen slowly. This results in a wine with an elegant taste. This is an elegant wine with aromas and flavors of red berry fruits and a lingering finish.
Best value red wine [Primitivo]
Primitivo is a grape variety from the Puglia region in southern Italy. Puglia has a warm climate, fertile soil, and lots of flat land, making it easy to grow grapes, and it is the second largest wine producing region in Italy (Veneto ranks first). Puglia wines used to be cheap as they were traded in bulk, but the quality has improved in recent years, and Primitivo in particular is attracting attention as a wine with good value for money. Primitivo is said to be the same variety as California Zinfandel, and has a high alcohol content and rich flavor. The wine is deep ruby in color, with aromas of blackberry fruit and firm tannins. It can be paired with meat dishes that have a strong flavor.
Felline “I Monili”
Felline is a group of producers who create wines that reflect the region of each producer.
``I Monili'' is a Primitivo wine that has aromas of ripe red fruits, spices and herbs, and has a structured taste, but is also a great value for money. It has a good reputation as an excellent wine that allows you to enjoy the taste beyond the price.
Felline "Primitivo di Manduria"
Primitivo grapes are cultivated in a wide area of Puglia, but the designation of origin is ``Primitivo di Manduria'', which is made from Primitivo grapes grown around Manduria.
This wine from Felline is full of fruit flavors like cassis and cherries. Aged for 6 months in French oak, it also has hints of vanilla and chocolate. The taste is rich and has mellow tannins.
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Wines with good cost performance are easy to incorporate into the home dining table and can be paired with daily meals. All of them are varieties unique to Italy, so you can feel the Italian sun. Please feel free to enjoy it.
