Italy: North-West - Red, including Barolo & Barbaresco
2018 Gold 10 Silver 14 Bronze 2 Commended 12
2017 Gold 5 Silver 13 Bronze 4 Commended 13
With high prices and plenty of vintage variation, it’s perhaps no surprise that we’ve had big swings in the number of medals awarded in this category. But 15 medals, four or five of them Gold, would probably be about average. So to get so many awards – and our first ever haul of double-figure Gold medals – was truly exceptional. It gave the reds from this corner of Italy a very real claim to being one of the categories of the competition this year.
And if you are able to recalibrate your ‘value-for-money-o-meter’ they really weren’t badly priced either. Sure there were some super-premium wines in here picking up deserved top medals, but half of the Golds were £20 or less, which in this neck of the woods isn’t bad going. The Dezzani, in particular, which also won a Food Match Trophy, was excellent for the money. And while the Barolos weren’t cheap, they were utterly beautiful wines, beguiling all who tried them.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘The Nebbiolos were some of my favourite wines, with perfume and elegance and a deftness of touch.’ Jade Koch, team leader
‘[The Barolos] were an intriguing flight. Not consistent, but some stand-out wines… It showed the diversity of styles within the region.’ Christopher Parker, Lime Wood Hotel
‘At the top end [the Nebbiolos] were very expensive. With wines like that you’re usually paying for the name of the producer.’ Charles Pashby-Taylor, consultant
‘Age is pretty critical for Barolo, so you need to be thinking ahead, looking at the component parts and imagining how it’ll be in the future after some time spent ageing. But it’s a must-have for your list.’ Richard Cavagin-Carey, The Harwood Arms
‘Barolos are mature-drinking wines that you don’t find in other regions.’ Andre Luis Martins, Cavalry & Guards Club
‘When you get to the £20 mark with Barolo you get what you pay for – elegance, finesse, balance – the whole lot’s there. You can’t go wrong.’ Robert Mason, Cheese at Leadenhall