The 18 best Italian wines of 2021

Considered one of the top countries for wine, Italy is home to 18 of the wines on our list of the best of the year. These traffic jams come from all over the country: Sicily in the south; Piedmont, Tuscany in the center; and Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the north of the country.

From fruity, crunchy whites to full-bodied, deep reds, this list is for you. Our top picks are also in their peak consumption period, so you don’t need to save for later.

Abbazia di Novacella 2019 Praepositus Kerner (Alto Adige Valle Isarco); $ 21. This magnificent white opens with aromas of smoke, ripe yellow stone fruits, alpine herbs and a hint… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Bucci 2019 (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore); $ 26. This magnificent white opens with bewitching aromas of Mediterranean grass, yellow spring flowers… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Ca ‘dei Zago 2020 Rifermentato in Bottiglia (Valdobbiadene Prosecco); $ 30. Refermented in the bottle, this dry and slightly sparkling wine offers enticing citrus scents … SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Chateau dei Rampolla 2018 (Chianti Classico); $ 37. Aromas of black-skinned fruits, new leather, plowed soil and blue flower mingle with camphor on this scent… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Cesari 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico; $ 55. New aromas of leather, truffle, menthol and cooked plum slowly emerge on this… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Collosorbo 2016 Brunello di Montalcino; $ 55. Balsamic aromas of camphor and cedar harmonize with ripe plum, undergrowth and new leather in this… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Ettore Germano 2017 Extra Brut Sparkling (Alta Langa); $ 45. All about elegance and creamy flavor, this magnificent sparkler has tantalizing scents reminiscent of field flowers, white … VIEW THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Ferrari 2012 Perlé Nero Extra Brut Riserva Pinot Nero (Trente); $ 85. Radiant, polished and utterly delicious, this divine sparkler hits all the right buttons. Made entirely … SEE THE SCORE AND THE FULL REVIEW

Feudi di San Gregorio 2020 Fiano di Avellino; $ 20. Linear and dry, this pretty white opens with delicate aromas reminiscent of ripe yellow apple, chamomile… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Francesco Cirelli 2018 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo; $ 20. Freshly squeezed blackberries, cherries and cranberries take on earthy elements of crushed herbs and gravel in this… VIEW SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

GD Vajra 2017 Ravera (Barolo); $ 90. From the canton of Novello and what is now widely recognized as one of the best vineyards in the appellation… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Graci 2018 Rosso (Etna); $ 35. Wild rose, fragrant berries, Mediterranean brush and graphite are just some of the aromas you will find in… SEE THE SCORE AND THE FULL REVIEW

Ottella 2020 Le Creete (Lugana); $ 27. Aromas of elderflower, citrus and tropical fruits lead the nose. Tangy and tasty, the vibrant mouth offers grapefruit… SEE THE SCORE AND THE FULL REVIEW

Peter Zemmer 2020 Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige); $ 27. Bewitching scents of spring flowers and summer orchard fruits escape from the glass. On the polish, expressive … SEE THE SCORE AND THE FULL REVIEW

Pieropan 2019 Soave Classico; $ 24. Fragrant and delicious, this wine opens with heady aromas of white spring flowers, citrus and tropical fruits. Vibrant and… SEE THE SCORE AND THE FULL REVIEW

Rivetto 2019 Vigna Lirano (Nebbiolo d’Alba); $ 30. From certified organic and biodynamic farming and vinified in terracotta amphorae, this luminous… SEE THE SCORE AND FULL OPINION

Surrau 2020 Branu (Vermentino di Gallura); $ 20. This tasty and bewitching white will transport you to the seaside thanks to aromas reminiscent of Mediterranean scrub, white … SEE THE SCORE AND FULL REVIEW

Tasca d’Almerita 2020 Tenuta Regaleali White Leone (Sicilian Land); $ 20. Heady aromas of citrus, yellow stone fruit and Mediterranean scrub are in the spotlight in… SEE THE SCORE AND THE FULL REVIEW

Posted on November 29, 2021