This article has been published in partnership with World of Fine Wine and Wine Scholar Guild.  A topsy-turvy 2019 Barolo growing season set many challenges for growers who produced wines that are classical in structure, with firm tannins and high acidity but less of the density and richness of recent warmer years, says Andrew Jefford, who was joined by Bruno Besa and Michael Palij MW.

Wine is fermented grape juice…in theory. However, in practice, modern wine may be made by using a wide array of compounds aimed at facilitating the winemaking process, enhancing the product’s organoleptic qualities, or simply fixing problems before or after they arise.

Summary In this webinar we will explore the denomination of Garda DOC, the role of Lake Garda and its impact on the wines. The webinar will touch on the soils, climate, and history of this beautiful landscape. Students will come away with a better understanding of this Northern Italian denomination which encompasses 10 denominations from Valtènesi to Valpolicella, from the banks of the Mincio River to Verona, a vast area of 31,100 hectares in the provinces of Mantua, Brescia, and

Italy has a rich and diverse history of winemaking, old vines and traditional grape varieties that contribute to the country's ancient wine culture, which has evolved throughout the centuries.  

Congratulations to Anne Phillips, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholarexam with highest honors! About Anne:  I have been a wine enthusiast for many (many) years. I decided to start taking classes about 5 years ago. I took some local classes

How to Watch You can watch this live webinar in our community platform here Summary Barolo and Barbaresco are hotter than ever—but how are these wines evolving past their traditional regional stereotypes? In this webinar, wine writer and Piemonte specialist Joshua Dunning dives into the real story behind Piedmont’s modern rise. Forget the usual tale of

How to Watch? You can watch the recording of this webinar in our community space here. Summary Mount Etna is one of the most dynamic wine regions in the world today—but what makes its wines so compelling? Join Benjamin Spencer, author of The New Wines of Mount Etna and founder of the Etna Wine School, for his insights

When I first joined the wine industry some 16 years ago, I was thrown in at the deep end specialising in selling the world’s finest wines to the well-heeled customers of Northwest London. In those early days, one of the topics that frequently plunged me under the water was when I had to sound knowledgeable about Italian wines. In my first couple of weeks on the job I was given a great piece of advice by one of my seasoned veteran colleagues: if you know just one

Congratulations to Cassandre Paquet, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Cassandre: My dad has always been a big wine enthusiast and as this was one of the many interests we have in common, I now too share

Wine professionals and consumers share a similar aspiration when they visit a wine region; they want to enjoy the area’s best dining experiences so they can pair their favorite local wines with the territory’s typical food offerings. While commonplace throughout Italy, this situation is nowhere more prominent than in Piedmont, especially in the region’s southern Langhe district. Lunch or dinner in the Barolo and Barbaresco production zones here is more than a simple pleasure; this is wine, and food pairing elevated to an art form.

When the Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino was established in 1967, one year after the wine received DOC status (it became one of the initial DOCG wines in 1980), there were only twenty-five members. Today, there are more than two hundred Brunello producers; given the reputation of this wine for its ability to age for twenty-plus years in the finest vintages, this is hardly surprising.

Walking along the path that leads to the summit of the Cartizze hill, the town of Santo Stefano gradually emerges in the distance, its bell tower and a few quaint houses standing as a punctuation mark amidst the harmonious mosaic of woodland patches and vineyards.  Like real-life topographic contour lines, the intricately arranged, labyrinthine rows of Glera vines ascend and wind through the characteristic, humpy “hogback” hills. Ciglioni – small, narrow cultivated terraced plots that have been utilised here since at least the 17th century – lend rigour and a sense of order to the vegetative profligacy of this landscape.

When the Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino was established in 1967, one year after the wine received DOC status (it became one of the initial DOCG wines in 1980), there were only twenty-five members. Today, there are more than two hundred Brunello producers; given the reputation of this wine for its ability to age for twenty-plus years in the finest vintages, this is hardly surprising.

How to Watch You can watch this 2-part series on our community platform here Summary What is modern Barolo? In this fascinating deep-dive, Piemonte specialist Nelson Pari joins us in the WSG studio to answer exactly that — and the answer might surprise you. From the

For as long as Italians have eaten good food, they have enjoyed good wine. The country is the world’s second-largest wine producer and besides a few hiccups after the fall of Rome, has been a consistent leader in viticulture for centuries.

Congratulations to Leslie Nguyen, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Leslie: After being a respiratory therapist for almost 20 years and feeling burnt out, I wanted to venture into a new career path.  A

Vineyards on the shores of Lake Garda Did someone say Lake Garda? You had me at Lake! Those were my first thoughts when asked to visit the area close to Italy’s largest lake and home of the Lugana DOC.

Congratulations to Marc-André Alain, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Marc-André: I have been a wine enthusiast for many years, but my real interest to learn more about this subject, including the

Congratulations to Mark Annett, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Mark: I am “officially” retired but for the past 5 years I have worked at wineries pouring wine for people, listening to their stories and

Vineyard landscape in Marsala Marsala, the fortified wine hailing from the sun-soaked hills of Sicily. A wine that embodies the rich tapestry of history and culture of an Island just a stone’s throw from mainland Italy. Having recently returned from visiting the region here is a brief introduction and exploration of one of the world’s most underrated wines.