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Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy
At one time, Italian wines conjured images of cheap Chianti in straw-wrapped bottles. More recently, expensive “Super Tuscans” have been the rage. But between these extremes lay a bounty of delicious, moderately priced wines that belong in every wine drinker’s repertoire.
Vino Italiano is the only comprehensive and authoritative American guide to the wines of Italy. It surveys the country’s wine-producing regions; identifies key wine styles, producers, and vintages; and offers delicious regional recipes. Extensive reference materials—on Italy’s 300 growing zones, 361 authorized grape varieties, and 200 of the top producers—provide essential information for restaurateurs and wine merchants, as well as for wine enthusiasts.
Beautifully illustrated as well as informative, Vino Italiano is the perfect invitation to the Italian wine experience.
Vino Italiano is the only comprehensive and authoritative American guide to the wines of Italy. It surveys the country’s wine-producing regions; identifies key wine styles, producers, and vintages; and offers delicious regional recipes. Extensive reference materials—on Italy’s 300 growing zones, 361 authorized grape varieties, and 200 of the top producers—provide essential information for restaurateurs and wine merchants, as well as for wine enthusiasts.
Beautifully illustrated as well as informative, Vino Italiano is the perfect invitation to the Italian wine experience.
544 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
122 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 4, 2016
This book does a fair to good job of using anecdotes to place wine within the context of Italian culture. I really appreciated that the coverage of Sardinia was just as thorough as that of Tuscany - even though Sardinia is not famous for its wine. Likewise, I glanced through the Puglia section and found that to be informative. That said, this book is probably best for people who are obsessed with Italy or with wine or with both!
February 12, 2023
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My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy this year. To celebrate (and help plan) he got me this textbook on all things Italian wine. I can confirm that this is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the wines of Italy. This book is rich in knowledge, but deeper knowledge than I needed as a layperson.
Bastianich begins each chapter with these beautiful descriptions of his journies throughout the countryside. His story of the fry men in Cinque Terre actually made me at that stop to our list of places to visit.
Outside of some beautiful prose, this is a book that is heavy with knowledge. It was at a 201 level. I only needed 101. If you are a sommelier or a collector this is perfect for you, but if you are looking for an introduction to Italian wine this will drown you with information.
Overall, I liked it. In retrospect, I wish I had only read the chapters about the regions that I was considering visiting. If I had though, I probably wouldn't have added Cinque Terre to my list.
My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy this year. To celebrate (and help plan) he got me this textbook on all things Italian wine. I can confirm that this is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the wines of Italy. This book is rich in knowledge, but deeper knowledge than I needed as a layperson.
Bastianich begins each chapter with these beautiful descriptions of his journies throughout the countryside. His story of the fry men in Cinque Terre actually made me at that stop to our list of places to visit.
Outside of some beautiful prose, this is a book that is heavy with knowledge. It was at a 201 level. I only needed 101. If you are a sommelier or a collector this is perfect for you, but if you are looking for an introduction to Italian wine this will drown you with information.
Overall, I liked it. In retrospect, I wish I had only read the chapters about the regions that I was considering visiting. If I had though, I probably wouldn't have added Cinque Terre to my list.
April 13, 2022
Incredibly detailed look into the local wines of my personal favorite Old World region. The French be damned.
For a work of non-fiction, essentially a text book, it still found its ways to be entertaining.
It was not until I finished the book that I realized it was written by Joe Bastianich of Master Chef. Fittingly, he is the most high brow and educated on the show and demonstrates his academic tenure in spades with his offering here.
Now I'm thirsty for a nice Barolo....
For a work of non-fiction, essentially a text book, it still found its ways to be entertaining.
It was not until I finished the book that I realized it was written by Joe Bastianich of Master Chef. Fittingly, he is the most high brow and educated on the show and demonstrates his academic tenure in spades with his offering here.
Now I'm thirsty for a nice Barolo....
March 20, 2020
Great overview of the Italian regions and wines!
May 14, 2008
Finally, a book devoted to the regional wines of Italy. Bastianich and his co-authors go through each region of this vine-covered nation with ease. Each region begins with a delightful short story about an experience in the region, then continues with a history of winegrowing/winemaking, then goes through the major DOC/DOCGs of each region and then ends with notes on some specific wines and a recipe from Joe's Mom, Lydia.
My only quip is that they sort of short change a lot of the producers, only focusing on the really predominant ones. The history sections are the most helpful. Also, just a touch out of date.
My only quip is that they sort of short change a lot of the producers, only focusing on the really predominant ones. The history sections are the most helpful. Also, just a touch out of date.
June 3, 2008
This book is amazing. So much information, great stories, great suggestions of vineyards & styles to try, and a fabulous breakdown of the style and mentality of wine-making by region in Italy. It's also a great portrait of the subtle cultural differences of each region, and (despite the authors' protests against this) a great travelogue & guidebook per region for food & vineyards to visit. I LOVED this book.
October 27, 2013
This is not a "wine guide" in the normal sense. It is a book as much about Italy and its different regions as it is a book about the many different wines of Italy. I found this book shortly before my first trip to Italy and it really helped me make sense of what until then was a very confusing world of wine. Love it and will always recommend it to anyone as a perfect place to start getting a grip on Italian wine.
December 6, 2019
Outstanding - the definitive book on Italian wines. A wonderful blend that describes the regions and the DOC's, but also offers some interesting observations on the people and the wineries, and even gives some great menus. Hope it continues to be updated every few years. If you enjoy Italian wines, this is the book!
September 21, 2013
Bello devo dire. Bello. Oddio non enciclopedico, ma si lascia proprio leggere, vivace nello stile (buona l'idea di aprire ogni capitolo con uno spaccato dell'esperienza dell'autore in Italia, riferita alla regione in oggetto), informativo, completo quanto basta per soddisfare un appassionato di vino curioso dell'Italia.
In italiano c'è sicuramente molto altro, ma m'è piaciuto.
In italiano c'è sicuramente molto altro, ma m'è piaciuto.
September 29, 2008
Italy's a BIG undertaking. This book's a god-send, covering rules to different varietals, and has not only tastings listed, but restaurant level recipes- each authentic, each state-specific. Perhaps the best text I've read so far.
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June 9, 2008My new job has an extensive Italian wine list. There are much worse things to have to study and most of them won't get you drunk.
June 5, 2013
What a great reference book for Italian Wines!!
July 23, 2012
Bastianich has written the definitive book on Italian wines!
March 25, 2015
Fantastic! An excellent guide to Italian wines, food and culture.
March 22, 2016
The best introduction to Italian wines and wine regions out there.
September 12, 2007
This book is great. It's more of a leisurely thing though.
July 1, 2009
Good review and explanations of the different wines and regions throughout Italy.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews