WINE SPECTATOR’S “TOP 100”: CALIFORNIA TAKES FIRST PLACE, BUT 1 BOTTLE IN 5 IS ITALIAN. BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO (4 BOTTLES) AND BAROLO (3 BOTTLES) ARE TOPS FOR QUALITY. TWO BOTTLES FOR ALLEGRINI

Two Italian wines are in the top ten (Brunello di Montalcino of Campogiovanni 2006 owned by Azienda Agricola San Felice, in position 4, and Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006 of Domenico Clerico at number 8).
Twenty wines (including 10 Tuscans) among the top 100 wines of 2011 from around the world are Italian: 1 bottle in 5 is on the 2011 “Top 100” by “Wine Spectator”, one of the most influential wine magazines in the world. Also confirmed in the “Top 100”, Brunello di Montalcino (4 bottles, all 2006 vintage - Campogiovanni at 4, Togata Tenuta Carlina at 17, La Serena at 24 and Tenuta Nuova di Casanova of Neri at 56) and Barolo (3 bottles, also vintage 2006 - Ciabot Mentin Ginestra of Domenico Clerico at 9, Serralunga di Rivetto at 16 and Fratelli Ravello at 57), the most famous symbols of Italian wine quality in the world.
Some of the most prestigious Italian wine territories kept the flag flying high like Chianti Classico, Maremma and Bolgheri in Tuscany (leading region with 10 bottles), Valpolicella in Veneto, Langhe in Piedmont, Salento in Puglia and Irpinia in Campania. The Italian wine world has clearly improved on the 2010 result (9 Italian wines). Among the curiosities, the only Italian wine producer awarded for two wines is Allegrini (Veronese Palazzo della Torre 2008 and Bolgheri Sondraia 2008 Poggio al Tesoro).
It is an important recognition for Italian wines, although the famous U.S. magazine remained “patriotic” and gave the first 2 positions to Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008 Kathryn Hall, and “Wine of the Year” is awarded to Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2009 Kosta Browne.
Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” debuted in 1988 and has become over the years, a ranking capable of steering the global wine market. The selection was made based on three criteria: quality (represented by the score assigned), value (price), and an “x factor” that Wine Spectator journalists define “excitement”. Unlike other editions, production volume seems to have disappeared as a criterion this year.
Info: www.winespectator.com

Focus - “Top 10” Wine Spectator 2011
1 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2009 - Kosta Browne (U.S.)
2 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Kathryn Hall 2008 - Hall (U.S.)
3 Vouvray Moelleux Clos du Bourg Première Trie 2009 - Domaine Huët (France)
4 Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - Campogiovanni (Italy)
5 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2008 - Dehlinger (U.S.)
6 Ursa Columbia Valley 2008 - Baer (U.S.)
7 Touriga Nacional Douro 2008 - Quinta do Vallado (Portugal)
8 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006 - Domenico Clerico (Italy)
9 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 2009 - Alain Graillot (France)
10 Gigondas Valbelle 2009 - Château de St.-Cosme (France)

Focus – Italian wines in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” of 2011
4 Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - Campogiovanni (Italy)
8 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006 - Domenico Clerico (Italy)
16 Barolo Serralunga 2006 - Rivetto
17 Brunello di Montalcino La Togata 2006 - Tenuta Carlina
24 Brunello di Montalcino 2006 - La Serena
31 Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 - Castello di Monsanto
36 Toscana Campaccio 2007 - Terrabianca
44 Barbaresco Bric Balin 2007 - Moccagatta
46 Toscana Non Confunditur 2009 - Argiano
48 Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa 2007 - Zenato
49 Chianti Classico 2009 - Fonterutoli
56 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2006 - Casanova di Neri
57 Barolo 2006 - Fratelli Revello
60 Veronese Palazzo della Torre 2008 - Allegrini
61 Primitivo Salento Torcicoda 2008 - Tormaresca (Antinori)
69 Maremma Toscana Le Sughere di Frassinello 2009 - Rocca di Frassinello
73 Barbera d’Alba 2007 - Fratelli Oddero
79 Bolgheri Sondraia 2008 - Poggio al Tesoro (Allegrini)
87 Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra 2009 - Terredora
88 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Ambrosan 2004 - Nicolis