Wine Masters

Barolo and Barbaresco wines are strongly in demand by wine collectors. Although both villages in Piedmont are very close, and the wines are both made by Nebbiolo grapes, some say Barolo is more masculine and Barbaresco is more feminine. Gaia Gaja: "Barolo is a gentleman and Barbaresco is a lady, but a 'tough' lady."

Campania was called 'The Happy Land' by the Romans. They considered it the best place to grow vines. Mastroberardino was the only one who kept faith in the native Aglianico grapes from Taurasi. Some say these are archeological wines, others say it's the Barolo of the South. Burton Anderson: "Barolo should be called the Aglianico of the North because it's longer around."

The renaissance of Italian wines started in Tuscany with Sangiovese grapes. Piero Antinori was one of the first to produce high quality Chianti Classico and introduced the first Super Tuscan. Antinori is one of the oldest family owned companies in the world. Alessia Antinori (26th generation): "It takes centuries to build a name and only seconds to destroy it."

Amarone della Valpolicella was invented by mistake. The 'Appassimento' method is a fascinating process, the concentrated wines are made by grapes which are dried on bamboo racks for months. Raffaele Boscaini: "My grandfather had Valpolicella as an everyday wine and Amarone for Christmas and was in need for a wine for the Sundays. So he invented the Ripasso."

The Regaleali Estate in the middle of Sicily is like an oasis in the desert. The first prestigious Nero d'Avola wine was made here by the old noble family Tasca d'Almerita. Alberto Tasca: "It gave me freedom once I realized I'm only the landkeeper of this place for a short period." Luigi Tasca: "You have to be a fatalist to grow vines on Etna."