Decanter magazine has published the definitive list of Italy's greatest wines, as voted for by 19 of the world's leading experts on the subject.
A poll of wine journalists, merchants and consultants, the results of which are published in Decanter's April issue, placed heavyweight regions Tuscany and Piedmont top of the bunch, filling the top three spots and accounting for 24 of the 50 top wines.
The article, by Decanter correspondent Kerin O'Keefe, also throws up some surprises. Among the final list of stellar wines were a Taurasi from Campania and a Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.
The number one spot was taken by the Monfortino Riserva Barolo DOCG from Giacomo Conterno, the latest available vintage (2000) of which costs £186 a bottle. Made only in exceptional vintages, the wine was praised by Italian wine journalist Franco Ziliani for its 'complexity, elegance, harmony and fantastic ageing potential.'
For the full list of wines, buy the April issue of Decanter, on sale from 5 March.
PLUS don't miss Decanter's Great Italian Fine Wine Encounter on 17 May.
Two of the prices quoted for in the Italian top 50 article in the April issue are incorrect. The Mastroberardino, Radici, Taurasi DOCG (2003) is £22.49 (Planet of the Grapes, Wimbledon Wine Cellars), and the Antinori's Tignanello, Tuscany IGT (2004) is £35-45 (Planet of the Grapes, Selfridges, Wimbledon Wine Cellars), depending on supplier.
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