Frescobaldi, Antinori and Gaja are the “Kings” of Italian wine on Wine Spectator’s Top 100

The Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2018 has come and gone, just like the 30 that preceded it (the first top 110 dates back to 1988) and as always has given a breath of fresh air to those companies and wines that were able to make the very restricted selection of the US magazine. For some, it might be only a fleeting success, while there are companies, which over the years have been always constant, and therefore have become true regulars on the Wine Spectator ranking. Above all, as the WineNews analysis has shown, three of the most famous brands of Italian wine in the world, boasting 13 wines each, are in the Top 100: Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi, historic Tuscan wine family, Antinori, perhaps the name of the most famous Italian wine in the world, and Gaja, the king of Barbaresco and craftsman of the Italian wine Renaissance. Following these three, 12 wines for Fontodi, the reference company for Chianti Classico, ahead of 10 wines for Castello Banfi, the winery that contributed to the affirmation of Brunello di Montalcino around the world, and 9 wines for Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, “home” of two of the most popular wines for wine collectors around the world, Ornellaia and Masseto. Another icon of Tuscan wine, Fèlsina, counts 8 wines on the ranking, and Paolo Scavino, Barolo brand, followed by 7 wines from Allegrini, shared among Avignonesi, the producers symbol of Amarone and reference of Noble of Montepulciano, and San Felice, the winery of the Allianz Insurance Group. 6 wines on the ranking from the Langhe, Beni di Batasiolo, followed by 5 wines from Castle of Volpaia (Chianti Classico) and Poggio Antico (Brunello di Montalcino). There were also 4 wines on the ranking for Carpineto, “maison” that has properties in the top Tuscan territories, Michele Chiarlo, Tenuta San Guido, where in 1968 the history of Sassicaia originated (number 1 on the 2018 edition vintage 2015), Casanova di Neri (top in 2001 with Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2001), Planeta, star player of the Sicilian wine renaissance, Giuseppe Mascarello & Figli brand of the Langhe and Barolo, and Altesino. Finally, 3 wines on the Wine Spectator Top 100 ranking for Caparzo, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, Feudi di San Gregorio, Luciano Sandrone, Isole & Olena and Terredora.