THE MOST POPULAR, THE MOST EXPENSIVE, THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL CRITICS AWARDS AND THE BEST QUALITY / PRICE RATIO ITALIAN WINES ON WINE-SEARCHER 2017 TOP 10 ANALYZED BY WINENEWS

It’s the end of the year, and time for rankings. So, we went to see which Italian wines are the most popular, the most expensive, the ones that have received the highest critics’ awards and best value for money in the Wine-Searcher database (www.wine-searcher.com, updated in December 2017), which is one of the main search engines for wines and quotations, processing over 1 million searches a day. The famous Italian wine names that are, not surprisingly, those that dominate at auctions, and which, for quotation and production volumes, despite the privilege of a few, contribute decisively to keeping Italy’s wine image high.
At the top of the “Most Popular” ranking, based on search frequency, number one of the Italians (and number 10 on the “world” list, dominated by the French) is Sassicaia Tenuta San Guido, followed by Antinori’s Tignanello (at number 27 overall) and Barolo Monfortino Riserva by Giacomo Conterno (33 in the general ranking). Next, in order, on the Italian "top 10" are: Masseto, Ornellaia, Barolo di Bartolo Mascarello, Solaia of Antinori, Barbaresco by Gaia, Brunello di Montalcino of Tenuta Greppo di Biondi Santi, and Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova of Casanova di Neri.
The ranking of the “Best scores” is somewhat different as these are wines that have the best scores from international critics, which Wine-Searcher puts together from journals such as “The Wine Advocate” (Monica Larner for Italy), “Wine Spectator” and “The Wine Enthusiast” (Italian editor Kerin O’Keefe), and from Antonio Galloni and Jancis Robinson, among others. On this ranking, at 95 points each, are Masseto, Sorì San Lorenzo by Gaja, Barolo Monfortino Riserva by Giacomo Conterno, and Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto by Bruno Giacosa. At 94 points, Villa d’Alceo of Castello dei Rampolla, Sorì Tildin by Gaja, Solaia by Antinori, Barolo Romirasco Bussia by Aldo Conterno, Sperss by Gaja and Ornellaia.
Looking at the average price per bottle, which is an important barometer for the wine market, number one is Barolo Monfortino Riserva by Giacomo Conterno, at average prices of 860 euros per bottle, followed by Barolo Falletto Riserva by Bruno Giacosa, at 703 euros. Number three is Masseto, at 613 euros per bottle. Then, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva of the Greppo Estate by Biondi Santi at 479 euros, ahead of Brunello di Montalcino Reserve of Case Basse by Gianfranco Soldrea at 461. Next, Colore by Bibi Graetz Testamatta at 417 euros per bottle, Vin Santo of Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice by Avignonesi at 376 euros, Pegasos of Case Basse at 375, Alzero by Giuseppe Quintarelli at 364 euros, and Sorì San Lorenzo by Gaja at 339 euros.
The “Best Value” is a particular ranking that lists the best critics’ score /price ratio. Number one is Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 2012 by Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona (94 points, and average cost 55 euros), followed by Duemani 2012 by Duemani (95 points and 89 euros), and Giusto di Notri 2010 of Tua Rita (94 points and 57 euros). Number four is Barbera d’Asti The Villa 2015 of Tenuta Olim Bauda (92 points and 14 euros), followed by Barolo Bricco di Pernice 2010 by Elvio Cogno (94 points and 63 euros), Sammarco 2007 of Castello dei Rampolla (94 points and 66 euros), Galatrona 2007 of Petrolo (95 points and an average 100 euros per bottle), Vigna di Alceo 2007 also of Castello dei Rampolla (95 points and 107 euros), Saffredi 2015 of Fattoria Le Pupille (94 points and 67 euros), and again Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso by Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2010 (94 points for 68 euros).