THE GAMBERO ROSSO “2011 ITALIAN WINES” SPECIAL AWARDS THAT WINENEWS REVEALED YESTERDAY WILL BE PRESENTED ON 17 OCTOBER IN ROME. THE PIEDMONT REGION RECEIVED THE MOST AWARDS, FOLLOWED BY TUSCANY AND VENETO

Here’s the list of the “2011 Italian Wines” special awards assigned by Gambero Rosso, the most consulted (and criticized) guide in Italy, that WineNews revealed yesterday and that are now online at the Gambero Rosso site, directed by Daniel Cernilli. The editorial team assigns these “special awards” (which will be awarded October 17 in Rome) each year to the most innovative wines, people and companies, in the world of Italian wine.

The prize for winery of the year goes to Valentini (Loreto Aprutino, Pescara) from Abruzzo, while the best red wine is Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004 by Franco Biondi Santi. Among the white wines, the top is Valle Isarco Sylvaner R 2009 of Köfererhof from Alto Adige. The best 2011 sweet wine is Albana di Romagna Passito Reserve HR 2006 of the Zerbina Farm in the Emilia region. The prize for best emerging winery goes to Polvanera in Puglia, at Gioia del Colle (Bari). The winemaker award goes to a technician who works at the Ferrari Winery in Trento and though he stays far away from the spotlight, he has masterful skills: Ruben Ferrari Larentis. Franciacorta Brut Secolo Novo 2005 of Le Marchesine winery triumphantly wins the award for the ”bubbly”. The grape grower of the year award goes to the volcanic Walter Massa, who is responsible for the re discovery and success of Timorasso. The award for sustainable viticulture goes to Sandi Skerk, owner of the Friulian company Duino Aurisina (Trieste). Finally, the wine with the best value for money rapport goes to Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Pievalta 2009, produced by the company in Maiolati Spuntini (Ancona).

The Piedmont region received the most awards (81 wines), followed by Tuscany (69), Veneto (35), Friuli (31) Alto Adige (27), Lombardy (21), Campania (19), Marche (17), Sicily (15) and Abruzzo (13).