Again!!! NO posts on the largest Producer???

[Botafogo]

Well, it seems I get to kick off the new board on the largest and most diverse wine producing area in the world: Italia!

My biggest suggestion for all members is to turn over a new leaf for 1999, forget about Brunello, Barolo, Barbaresco and Super Tuscans and buy TWICE as much wine of equal quality from other zones, varietals and producers for the same money. Nominations include:

Varietal of the Future: Aglianico, South Central Italy's answer to Syrah, making huge gutsy, food friendly wines of amazing value.

Zone of the Future: Valtellina, in the northernmost mountains of Lombardia, is turning out world class wines based on Nebbiolo (the Barolo Varietal) but made from dried grapes in the manner of Amarone. These wines are called Sfurzato. (Jerry, did you open the Cinque Stelle?)

Producer of the Future: Illuminati, in Abruzzo. Dino is stretching the bounds of traditional styles but using traditional varieties, NOT Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet like all the hacks in the north.

Salute, Roberto