ITALIAN WINE IS TOPS FOR THE FAMOUS U.S. MAGAZINE “WINE ENTHUSIAST”. NUMBER ONE ON THE 2011 “TOP 100” IS MARQUIS FRESCOBALDI’S CHIANTI RUFINA 2007 NIPOZZANO RISERVA AND 17 OUT OF 100 ARE MADE IN ITALY

Italian wines are confirmed tops, according to the famous U.S. Magazine Wine Enthusiast. The number 1 wine on its 2011 “Top 100” is Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi’s Chianti Rufina 2007 Nipozzano Riserva, which “received the scepter” from Renato Ratti’s Barolo Marcenasco 2006, which was number 1 in 2010. In general, Italy substantially improved its performance - 17 wines out of 100 (15 in 2010) and Tuscany in the lead.

At number 7, Excelsus 2007 by Castello Banfi, the leading winemaker in Montalcino, with Tua Rita’s Perlato del Bosco 2008 from Bolgheri at number 17. La Gerla’s Brunello 2006 is at number 21, Filippone’s Canneto 2007 at 31, Fattoria Petrolo’s Galatrona 2008 at 39 and Capanna’s Brunello 2006 at 46. First of the “non Tuscans” is Piazzo Armando’s Barolo 2007 at 49, followed by David Sterza’s Amarone Classico 2007 at 51, Mocali’s Brunello 2006 at 54 and Il Poggione’s Brunello 2005 Vigna Paganelli at 56. This hefty Italian platoon also includes the Tuscan Sasso al Poggio 2006 by Piccini at number 60, two Barolos Cascina Ballarin 2007 Bussia Nebbiolo (62) and Rocche Costamagna 2007 Rocche dell’Annunziata Nebbiolo (65), Pieropan’s Soave Classico La Rocca Garganega 2009 (74), Valpantena’s wine growers’ Cooperative’s Amarone della Valpolicella 2007 (76) and Inama’s Soave Classico Vigneto du Lot Garganega 2009 at number 80. The magazine’s “Top 100”, (together with its “Top 100 Best Buys” of bottles under $15, and its “Top 100 Cellar Selection”, dedicated to vintage and collection wines, which gave the top spot to Poggio Nardone’s Brunello 2006 in 2011), is compiled using a combination of wine quality evaluation, price and availability on the major markets.
Its 2011 edition “reflects the presence of Italian wines on the U.S. market,” Monica Larner, Wine Enthusiast’s correspondent in Italy, told Winenews, “and the number one wine is not only an award for its maker, but also for a lesser-known, typical and unique Italian territory, Chianti Rufina”.