Italy from Z to A: Zibibbo!

[misterjive]

Nino Negri impresses with Inferno, and the nebbiolo grape astounds us once more. Gattinara from a reliable producer is always
a treat. As for abandoning the big names and
styles and grapes and places (the killer b's, Barolo, Barberesco, the super t's), I don't think so. Together, Sangiovese and Cab Sauv bring a helluva lot to the dance, and I will keep buying those pricey vinos da tavola (Castello di Querceto is a favorite producer, and Campaccio, Sassicaia, Tignanello, and all the other original rebels are too fantastic to ignore).

One word of advice for Chianti freaks--revisit Il Grigio for an example of
Old School style (NO CAB, great use of white grapes). The subtlety is stupendous, the complexity easy to miss in the common (American) haste to find the big and the
bold

As for "different" varietals, drink Refosco!!! (and for a stateside version,
try the refosco by Bonny Doon, made with Monterey County grapes).

Ohh, and one more thing--Banfi is to Italy as K-J is to America.

Ohh, and one more thing--Allegrini's "La
Grola" (single vineyard Valpol) is huge bang
for the buck, inky and delicious.....

Ohh, and three more things:
Does anyone know what grapes are in Policalpo? (The label is like the white
album, with only raised letters Policalpo
on white paper).
Does anyone have theories on the theory that zinfandel reached Cali from Italy (or was it
Hungary...)?
And finally, has anyone else out there had the outstanding Chards made by Silvio Jermann?