Travel through the Italian countryside with Joseph Bastianich in search of
the country's eighty-nine finest wines.
Grandi Vini offers a thorough summary of the best Italy has to offer when it
comes to wine. Information is presented by region, including Central Italy, The
Islands, Northeast Italy, Northwest Italy, South Italy and the Mezzogiorno.
Joseph Bastianich is steeped in Italian wines like no one else. Not only is
he the co-owner, with Mario Batali, of some of America's premier Italian
restaurants, but he also produces wine on four separate estates - three in Italy
- and is responsible for bringing Eataly, the groundbreaking artisanal Italian
food and wine marketplace, to New York. His thoughtfully honed list of favourite
wines makes for a fascinating journey that brings Italian wines to life.
Grandi Vini introduces readers to the greatest wines in Italy by bringing
them to the vineyards and revealing the winemakers behind the bottles. More than
simply appealing to the palate, the wines on Joe's list have made an impact on
the industry. From central Italy, he recommends a stunning Sangiovese in Emilia
Romagna, produced at San Patrignano, the largest drug rehabilitation centre in
Europe. The island of Sicily is typically known for bulk commercial wine; but
now, in the unique terroir of Mount Etna, wine lovers can discover the perfectly
fresh, dry white Pietramarina, produced by the forward-thinking Benanti family.
And we can't forget the great Barolos. Bastianich selects a specific list of
wines from this legendary production region - some of which come from family
outfits, such as Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata Riserva of Paolo Scavino, by the
son of the winery's founder; and others that have emerged only recently, such as
the Barolo Cannubi Boschis made by Luciano Sandrone, a winemaker who only
started producing great wine in the 1990s.
"Joseph Bastianich's very productive, enthusiastic, and personal look at
Italy's greatest wines
is a must-purchase for all wine enthusiasts." Robert
M. Parker Jr.
Hardcover, 292 pages.