Ten years ago, if you had asked the general consumer to name a favorite Italian wine, Chianti, Lambrusco, Valpolicella and Soave might chime in, with perhaps a Barolo or some kind of Montepulciano in the mix. Today, the talk not only includes Brunello, Amarone and Super-Tuscans, but Bolgheri, Nero d'Avola and Lugana. This is just the tip of a vinous iceberg that is melting and leaving myriad choices at wine lovers' feet.
Aside from our weakened dollar, this more intensive labor quite naturally translates into higher prices. Importers now encourage a better product, and the results are often jaw-dropping. This week's column visits regions all over the map—from the tip of Alto Adige to the offshore southern island of Sicily. Some wines are familiar. Some are absolutely novel to America's shores. All are better than they were a decade ago.
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