Burton Anderson
Wine Masters: Campania
Campania was called ‘Campania Felix’ by the Romans, meaning ‘Happy land’. The Romans 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 Angianico of the North because it’s longer around.”
Wine Masters: Piedmont
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.” Angelo Gaja: “The small imperfections give the soul to the wine.”
Wine Masters: Tuscany
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.”
Wine Masters: Veneto
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.“
Wine Masters: Veneto
In the beautiful Loire Valley, known as the ‘Garden of France’, lies the birthplace of Sauvignon Blanc: Sancerre. In this 45-minute documentary the wine producing Bourgeois family shows their deep-rooted passion for the area, terroir, grape and wines. Making wines since 10 generations the family knows that Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc at its best but that it’s also still developing. Tim Atkin: “I think that is a good definition of what makes a great wine; wines made with love.”
Wine Masters: Sicily
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.” Lucio Tasca: “You have to be a fatalist to grow vines on Etna.”