Walter has been busy tasting for your delectation, and identifying the trends and budding stars. Above, the Torrette subzone in the Valle d'Aosta. Also in this series: new releases from Lombardia, Alto Adige and Trentino, Friuli and Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Toscana, Umbria, Marche and Abruzzo and the south and islands.
Never before have so many samples, of so many different types of wine, ended up on my doormat in Padova. They are a meagre substitute for what would have otherwise been real-life meetings with their producers, but until we can travel freely again and meet producers in...