Never leave Italy or buy expensive bottle of sweet wine from all over the world, without tasting some of the incredible sweet wines produced in Italy.
Many people believe sweet wine is just a light wine, beloved from women, hard to pair with food. Go beyond stereotypes and discover the root of wine making. Sweet wine always was served to heroes coming back from ancient wars. That is to say like hospitality, celebration and tradition.
In other words: never lose the opportunity to surprise friends by pairing cheeses or dessert with the right sweet wine. Certainly, sip it slowly for a multi-sensorial meditation moment.
1) Moscato d’Asti (Piemonte)
Let’s start with a super classic: an aromatic Moscato from Asti in Piedmont region, north-east of Italy. Bright yellow color that turns gold with the age. Above all, intense and complex aromas from tropical fruit to white flowers, fig and peach. In the mouth is sumptuous, almost balsamic. Try: Moscato d’Asti DOCG La Morandina
2) Alto Adige Gewürztraminer Passito (Trentino Alto Adige)
Alias the Amazing elegance. Great wines coming from this area where nature challenge humans with its climate and mountains. Great aromas, long lasting finish, softness and elegance are amazing. So try: Alto adige Gewürztraminer Passito Cashmere Elena Walch or Try Alto adige Gewürztraminer Passito Sanct Velentin Comtess’ San Michele Appiano
3) Recioto di Soave (Veneto)
Hundreds of years of family winemakers. This is always an emotional way to get in touch with the real soul of a place. Thanks to the meeting of characteristics of local grapes, named Garganega, the soil, unique climate and the expertise of passionate winemaker. In other words: paradise in a glass. Try: Recioto di Soave Renobilis Gini or Recioto di Soave Classico Le Colombare Pieropan
4) Fior d’Arancio Passito dei Colli Euganei (Veneto)
This little piece of land in Veneto region is full of magic and beauty. The soil is volcanic and calcareous-rocky. Full of great vegetation, flowers and, most important, vineyards. The grape is the Moscato Giallo. Here named Fior d’Arancio (orange blossom). Tropical fruit, buttery and floral notes will enchant your nose. Meanwhile the freshness will give a breeze to your mouth. Try: Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio Passito Alpianae Vignalta
5) Picolit (Veneto)
If you’d like to try a legendary, rare wine, you’d choose a bottle of Picolit. The preciousness and prestige of this Italian sweet wine is worldwide popular. Surely connected with the small quantity of product available. To explain, a genetic disease of the Picolit grape variety, causes, during vegetation cycle, a natural loss of grapes on the bunch. Is one of the wines to be tasted before to die, for instance. Try: Colli orientali del Friuli Picolit Valentino Bitussi or Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit Marco Sara
6) Albana Passito (Romagna)
Albana wine is a local ancient variety.Well known since the ancient Roman times. Grapes grow perfectly in Southern Bologna province on a limestone and sandstone soil. In short, this wine is famous for a legend listing the daughter of the Emperor Teodosio. Galla Placidia, in 453 A.C. She got shocked by the colour and taste of this wine. She shout “this wine should be served from gold cups”. That is to say, let’s drink history. Try: Romagna Albana Passito Innamorato by Poderi Morini or Romagna Albana Passito Scaccomatto by Fattoria Zerbina.
7) Passito di Noto (Sicily)
Extreme south of Sicily, close to the sea and kissed by the sun, in enclosure of four villages (Noto, Roslini, Pachino, Avola ). The vineyards of Moscato Bianco grows under high temperatures on a mix of sandy, limestone. Clay and marine stones making this wine unique. Be ready for an explosion of aromas. Juicy yellow fruit to bite, balsamic notes and much more. Try: Passito di Noto by Planeta or Passito di Noto by Feudo Ramaddini
8) Cinque Terre Sciacchetra’ (Liguria)
At the limit with Toscana, western side of the Riviera, the amazing Cinque Terre. This land offers breath-taking panoramic views likewise, amazing food and unforgettable wines. The name of this wine comes from local Liguria dialect. It means “press it “and “save it”. After the harvest, grapes dry under sun then ferment and mature. Certainly prices are high for a wine produced with a very big effort. Above all, this wine is lively in the mouth. A little tannic and salty, fresh and balanced in addition. Try: Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà by Cheo
9) Greco di Bianco (Calabria)
In a secluded corner of fascinating and challenging Locride in southern Calabria, the toe of Italian Peninsula. Few miles outback, runs the final of the mountain chain. It’s called Aspromonte. Along the coastline the amazing Riviera dei Gelsomini. . Here is our place: a small piece of land craving of one of the most precious and unique Sweet wines from Italy: The “ Greco di Bianco”. This amazing wine from Malvasia grapes is almost unknown to the majority of people. Moreover, could be a smart investment for a collector. Try: Greco di Bianco by Cantine Lucà
10) Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale (Puglia)
In the amazing Puglia region, facing the Ionian sea, here is Salento area. Certainly famous for amazing seaside holidays, food and wine, between Bari and Taranto. Primitivo grapes are most important red grapes growing here. Primitivo and Zinfandel are brothers. They descend from the same DNA. The sweet version comes from fermentation of dried grapes on the plant. Therefore they make a late harvest. As a result, tasting this wine is the quintessence of the word “Nirvana”. Try: Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale – Giuseppe Attanasio
Daniela Cassoni, Foodie & Founder @ www.gourmetaly.com, wine & travel expert
