It was also released this year Guide to Bibenda which aims to share not only the best wines of Italy but also the highest quality extra virgin olive oil, the best grappas and the best restaurants in our country. The prestigious guide, now here at the 25th editionis drawn up by the Italian Sommelier Association, directed by Franco M. Ricci, also creator of the “Roma Capitale del Vino” project.
The 10 wines of the year according to Bibenda
The guide Bibenda 2023 has identified the 10 best wines of the year after a long selection among numerous labels. The experts of the Italian Sommelier Federation have tasted thousands of Italian wines and have then included them in the guide 2,200 Italian wineries which is worth tasting. Furthermore, for each wine entered, it is also suggested which foods go best with it. Of all those mentioned, however, only 10 have been awarded the “Wine of the Year” award. The ten winning wines are made in different parts of Italy and are both red and white. These will be officially awarded during the “Feast of the 5 Bunches” scheduled for December 3 in Rome at the Hotel Rome Cavalieri. Here’s what they are the “Wines of the Year”:
- Barbaresco Starderi 2019 from La Spinetta
- Franz Haas’s Windfall 2020
- Vin De La Neu 2020 by Nicola Biasi
- Master Rare 2019 from Fèlsina
- Chianti Classico Nerento Gran Selezione 2016 from Villa Trasqua
- Montefalco Sagrantino Carapace Long Attesa 2015 by Tenute Lunelli Castelbuono
- Primitivo di Manduria Piano Chiuso Riserva 2019 by Masca Del Tacco
- Castel del Monte Aglianico Bocca Di Lupo 2018 by Tormaresca (Antinori)
- Etna Rosso Contrada Feudo di Mezzo 2019 by Cottanera
- Carignano del Sulcis Superiore Terre Brune 2018 by Cantina Santadi
The recognition of the “Five Bunches”
In Guide Bibenda 2023, among the wines tasted and selected there are some that have further distinguished themselves because they have obtained the highest score. In particular, 726 wines were rated with a score above 91 out of 100 and for this they have been awarded with the “5 Grappoli”, which is considered the evaluation of excellence. This maximum recognition sees many wineries awarded several times even with two or three labels.
In particular, three labels have been awarded with the the “5 Bunches” award several northern companies. Starting from Piedmont, with its excellent wines, many Barolos have been recognized such as Giacomo Conterno (Barolo Arione 2018, Barolo Cerretta 2018 and Barolo Francia 2018), Ettore Germano (Alta Langa Pas Dosé Riserva 2015, Barolo Lazzarito Riserva 2016 and Barolo Vignarionda 2017 ), Gaja (Barbaresco 2019, Barolo Conteisa 2018 and Barolo Sperss 2018). It is then the turn of Cà del Bosco with its famous Franciacorta (Franciacorta Dosage Zéro Cuvée Annamaria Clementi Riserva 2013, Franciacorta Dosage Zéro Noir Vintage Collection 2013 and Franciacorta Extra Brut Rosé Cuvée Annamaria Clementi Riserva 2013). Remaining to the north, they are also multi-award-winning two companies from South Tyrol: Terlano (Alto Adige Terlano I Primo Grande Cuvée 2019, Alto Adige Terlano Pinot Bianco Rarity 2009 and Alto Adige Terlano Pinot Bianco Vorberg Riserva 2019) and the Tramin Cellar (Alto Adige Bianco Stoan 2020, Alto Adige Chardonnay Troy Riserva 2019 and Alto Adige Gewürztraminer Spätlese Epokale 2015). The Tramin winery had also been included in the guide “The best 100 wines and winemakers of Italy”.
Moving in the central southinstead, they received the “Cinque Grappoli” on at least three labels: the Umbrian winery Caprai (Malcompare Pinot Nero 2018, Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Years 2018 and Montefalco Sagrantino Collepiano 2018), and the Sicilian Tasca d’Almerita (Didyme 2021, from Capofaro , and Sicilia Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco 2020 and Sicilia Contea di Sclafani Extra Brut Almerita Contessa Franca 2015 from Regaleali).
Even the wineries that have received at least two awards there have been many. Here they are all: Azelia, Borgogno, Bruno Giacosa, Bruno Rocca Rabajà, Castello di Verduno, Domenico Clerico, Elio Grasso, La Spinetta, Nervi (by Roberto Conterno), Paolo Scavino, Rocche dei Manzoni, Scarpa, Schiavenza, Ferghettina, Monte Rossa, Uberti, Colterenzio, Cantina Valle Isarco, Franz Haas, Girlan, Nals Margreid, Tiefenbrunner, Ferrari, Letrari, San Leonardo, Jermann (whose majority is owned by the Marchesi Antinori), Toros, Venica & Venica, Romano dal Forno, Antinori, Banfi, Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo, Cà Marcanda (di Gaja), Castle of Fonterutoli (Mazzei), Colline San Biagio, Fattoria Le Pupille, Fèlsina, Fontodi, Masseto (Frescobaldi), Ornellaia (Frescobaldi), Querciabella, Tenuta San Guido, Tua Rita, Vignamaggio, Fattoria Coroncino, Santa Barbara, Velenosi, Castello della Sala (Antinori), Castello Monte Vibiano, Decugnano dei Barbi, Terre della Custody, Casale del Giglio, Gabriele Magno, Tenuta di Fiorano, Masciarelli, Valentini, Antonio Mazzella, Cantine Antonio Caggiano , master oberardino, Cantine Due Palme, Vespa Vignaioli per Passione, Cantine del Notaio, Duca di Salaparuta, Girolamo Russo, Graci, Marco de Bartoli, Cantina di Santadi and Dettori.
