08 Sibilla Piedirosso

I wouldn't begrudge a winemaker wanting to work with any grape he or she fancies, in principal, at least....and with global warming, or whatever it is, things are changing (count me out though, if they are doing it to make something quote/unquote international in style). Indigenous grapes seem to usually have a leg up, but I think at least sometimes winemaking can overcome historical precendent...in the right hands. Just saying it's possible that's all...
 
I'm as keen on obscure and less-than-obscure Italian grape varieties as the next guy. No cabernet in my piedirosso, and no merlot in my sangiovese, canaiolo & colorino blend, thank you very much, and I'll take timorasso over that Piemontese or Friuli chardonnay (no offense).

But I also think San Leonardo is one of the finest red wines made in Italy, and it's crafted from Bordeaux varieties. So like most things, it's complicated.
 
Slaton,

I agree, there are some wonderful wines made in Italy from non-traditional varieties, eg in the Alto Adige. My objection is when they are combined with traditional varieties, particularly when the result is passed off as traditional (ie Chianti Classico, as has been noted above).

Terra di Lavoro appears to be presented as all indigenous, too.
 
In this noisy media age we live in, it's sometimes necessary to stake out an uncompromising position.
Nuanced complexity is often seen as lacking commitment, weak, and elitist, right?

Italy apparently needs constant reassurance that we like them, we really like them. Wasn't it a bad case of vinous envy that got the French grapes brought in originally? It was the secret to reclaiming world market share.

Isn't "non traditional varieties" a euphemistic phrase for French varieties?

Considering the globalization and other pressures that continue to reduce diversity, given the choice between Italy focussing on doing its best with it own traditions or trying to cater to the world market by using French varieties, I'd rather they stick to the former.
 
originally posted by Ned Hoey:
In this noisy media age we live in, it's sometimes necessary to stake out an uncompromising position.
Nuanced complexity is often seen as lacking commitment, weak, and elitist, right?

Italy apparently needs constant reassurance that we like them, we really like them. Wasn't it a bad case of vinous envy that got the French grapes brought in originally? It was the secret to reclaiming world market share.

Isn't "non traditional varieties" a euphemistic phrase for French varieties?

Considering the globalization and other pressures that continue to reduce diversity, given the choice between Italy focussing on doing its best with it own traditions or trying to cater to the world market by using French varieties, I'd rather they stick to the former.
Click to expand...

This is just a troll and should be ignored, right?
 
originally posted by Robert Dentice:
originally posted by Matteo Mollo:
i thought it was orange? mmm. orange merlot.
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I have had great orange merlot (honestly) from Switzerland.
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There is a small doc for it in Italy as well, I am told.

I have not come across a bottle yet.
 
originally posted by Oliver McCrum:
originally posted by Ned Hoey:
In this noisy media age we live in, it's sometimes necessary to stake out an uncompromising position.
Nuanced complexity is often seen as lacking commitment, weak, and elitist, right?

Italy apparently needs constant reassurance that we like them, we really like them. Wasn't it a bad case of vinous envy that got the French grapes brought in originally? It was the secret to reclaiming world market share.

Isn't "non traditional varieties" a euphemistic phrase for French varieties?

Considering the globalization and other pressures that continue to reduce diversity, given the choice between Italy focussing on doing its best with it own traditions or trying to cater to the world market by using French varieties, I'd rather they stick to the former.
Click to expand...

This is just a troll and should be ignored, right?
Click to expand...

Troll? It's a few things, but that wasn't one of them.
 
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