Gambero Rosso, the global authority on Italian wine food and culture brought its Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses Awards for fine Italian wine and Italian-themed restaurants and bars) and Vini D’Italia Roadshow U.S. Tour to Chicago.
Featured was a review of Italy’s most outstanding wines and an opportunity to meet personally with the winemakers who poured their award-winning vintages. The Tre Bicchieri designation (Three Glasses) is the Academy Awards of Italian wines reserved for only the best wines from each vintage.
Each year, a team of 70 wine experts are assembled to blind-taste more than 45-thousand wines to rate them on a scale of one to three glasses (bicchieri in Italian). Of the thousands of wines tasted, fewer than 1% achieve the designation of Tre Bicchieri.
Among the favorites was Frescobaldi’s Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Reserva 2020 ($19.95) presented by Stefano Benini-Vice President and Export Director.
Marchesi Frescobaldi is one of Italy’s most historic wine producers, dating back to the 1300s. Its nine different estates in Tuscany are legendary. In Tuscany, the Nipozzano Estate is home to its Chianti Rufina. Made from a blend of Sangiovese, the King of Italian wine grapes, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and native varietals Malvasia Nera and Colorina, it is aged for two years in French Oak barrels before release.
Maintaining a persistent ruby red color, the wine is intense, with scents of wild cherries and a floral note of violets. Its ripe fruit flavors are backed by spicy undertones and hints of balsamic, nutmeg, and roasted coffee. A remarkable display of extraordinary flavors cascade to a long finish that delights the taste buds.
Have it with your favorite type of pizza or hearty pasta. A great steak or roasted chicken with Rosemary is another great flavor companion.