In Mix-Up, Wine Flows From Italian Taps

You may not have heard of them, but they're 'thrilling'

(NEWSER) - Ready to move beyond familiar cabernet sauvignons and chardonnays? Eric Asimov of the New York Times suggests a dozen little-known but “thrilling” wines to explore:

• Assyrtiko: This white wine grape from the volcanic island of Santorini “produces dry, deliciously minerally wines” that pair well with seafood.
• Frappato: These grapes from southeastern Sicily make “lovely, fresh and lively wines that are delicious summer reds, especially when lightly chilled.”

(NEWSER) - Angry Italian winemakers say a product that changes water into wine is more insulting than miraculous, Der Spiegel reports. The vintners complain that the "wine powder," made by a Swiss company that caters to hikers, is a "terrible copy" of Italy's Chianti and gives the entire European wine industry a bad name. More»

(NEWSER) - When it comes to wine, Eric Asimov likes to promote the "sweet spot," bottles that cost between $10 and $20. "Few places offer a wider selection of singular wines in the price range than Italy," he writes in the New York Times. He begins by calling out a light and dry white with "the ungainly name Cave du Vin Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle. In my neighborhood, I found a bottle for $16." More»

(NEWSER) - It's time to discover the pleasures of aglianico wines, writes Eric Asimov in the New York Times. While many drinkers familiarly sip Chianti and Barolo, aglianico consumption has been largely confined to the diffuse Southern Italian regions where the grape is grown. And while some of the leading aglianicos are unavailable in the United States, there are still winners to be found. More»

Italian bubbly makers hope to edge out pricey champagne

(NEWSER) - Sales of Italy's answer to champagne have been bubbling up for years, Reuters writes, but prosecco producers plan to boost output to 250 million bottles next year, with an eye on someday overtaking champagne as the world's favorite sparkling wine. The bubbly is cheaper to make than its French rival, and vintners believe its sweeter taste will go down well in red-hot export markets like China. More»