Surprising Syrah, astonishing Ansonica, fantastic Falanghina and real Marsala are just a few of the exciting discoveries in this second half of Walter's Italian new-release report. See also the 117 new releases from Italy's north that he reviewed earlier this week. Above, Stefano Zoli, maker of spectacular Verdicchio in Le Marche.
I am not typically a fan of Syrah (or any French varieties) in Italy, because often, and with very few exceptions, the wines made from them tend to focus on varietal expression. Yet recently two examples stood out, one from Tuscany and the other from Umbria. The...