WINE PRODUCERS COMMENT ON WINE SPECTATOR’S "TOP 100". THE “CLASSICS”, LIKE PIEDMONT AND TUSCANY DOMINATE THE RANKING, BUT THERE IS MORE ATTENTION TO LESS KNOWN TERRITORIES FROM VALTELLINA TO SICILY...

Many people say that now guides, rankings and gurus no longer count like they used to. Even if that were true, some “weigh” more than others, like the US magazine Wine Spectator’s "Top 100(http://2013.top100.winespectator.com). And, as we have already written in other articles, there are 16 Italian wines on their 2013 edition.
The international critics, as well as the market, still identify the best Italian wines with Piedmont and Tuscany, while more attention is being paid to the less well-known territories that are more and more in the spotlight, such as Sicily, Valtellina, Taurasi and Vulture.
But what do the producers think? Mauro Mascarello, head of the winery that placed his Barolo Monprivato 2008 at number 6, says, "it is an important recognition that pleases us, but it is not a surprise, because international critics have always rewarded us, in contrast to the Italian critics. In any case, looking at the standings, I have the impression that even the American tasters are focusing more and more on local and historical wines compared to "modern", which are all very similar."
"These kinds of awards are a huge help to become well-known as well as for sales”, added Elisabetta Gnudi, owner of Altesino, which sees Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 2008 in the ranking, “and confirm that the renowned territories are not famous just by chance.
And also, that the tradition we put in Brunello always wins. It is important because beyond the recognition of our work, which is rewarding, the brand continues to stay at high levels in the territory". This is the sentiment of two territory leaders that have been in the spotlight for quite a long time. Here is the sentiment of some producers from no less well known historic territories, but definitely much less well known to the media.
"We were surprised”, said Giusto Occhipinti, head of the Sicilian Cos, awarded for its Cerasuolo Classic 2010, “but it is also the recognition of an alternative wine that we cultivated in a territory, which when we started was unknown in the wine world. I hope this reward helps many young producers follow the dream, which is wine as an expression of the territory. And I would like to point out another aspect: this wine is sold on the American market at 30 US dollars a bottle. We could raise the price because the demand is 30% higher than what we can produce. But we will not raise it because we think that high-quality wine should be accessible to everyone, from professionals to students".
"This is a huge satisfaction for us”, said Mamete Prevostini, in the ranking with Valtellina Superiore Sassella 2009, “because it is part of the classic line, and it is increasingly evident that Nebbiolo Valtellina is an elegant and fine wine, as well as the fact that more and more international criticism is opening its eyes to territories that are less often in the spotlight".
Piero Mastroberardino, in Top 100 with his Taurasi Radici Riserva 2006, is more accustomed to the major awards, and he stresses the importance of this award "for a winery like ours, made of centuries-old history but also of young ideas, research, and looking towards the future, but also for a territory still closely tied to the strength of a few leading producers. Although, in my travels around the world, I must say that I have noted a constant interest in the Taurasi production area, as well as the Aglianico grape. It is no coincidence that two out of three wines in the ranking, including those in the South, come from this grape".