Grandi Vini | Bastianich

Travel through the Italian countryside with Joseph Bastianich in search of the country's eighty-nine finest wines."" 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 favorite 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 introducing 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. In Central Italy, he recommends a stunning Sangiovese in Emilia Romagna, produced at San Patrignano, the largest drug rehabilitation center 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 Benati 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, like Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata Riserva of Paolo Scavino, by the son of the winery's founder- and others that have emerged only recently, like the Barolo Cannubi Boschis made by Luciano Sandrone, a winemaker who only started producing great wine in the 1990s. "Grandi Vini "also includes a wine list in the back of the book that shares vinification, production, and website information for every wine. With lovely hand-illustrated maps locating the wineries in their various regions, "Grandi Vini" is a rich exploration of eighty-nine Italian wines that rank among the world's best--a wonderful read for any wine enthusiast.JOSEPH BASTIANICH is Americas foremost authority on Italian wine. The co-owner, with Mario Batali, of several of the most acclaimed Italian restaurants in the United States and the co-founder of Eataly New York, he also owns the shop Tarry Wine Merchants and is the proprietor of four wine estates. A recipient of the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, he lives with his wife and children in Greenwich, Connecticut. "Joe has created a greatest hits list of many of my favorite wines but also added delicious illumination with wines I was not familiar with--and that are now on my must-drink list. Reading Grandi Vini is like being a member of a secret wine geek club with access to the previously private whole magilla on the modern Italian wine world."--Mario Batali"Joseph Bastianich's very provocative, enthusiastic, and personal look at Italy's greatest wines is a must-purchase for all wine enthusiasts."--Robert M. Parker, Jr."It is difficult to be objective when talking about ones offspring, but unequivocally Joseph Bastianich, my son, has one of the premium wine palates in the industry. His infinite passion for wine is evident in every word he writes about it, in every sip he takes, and in every bottle he makes. Grandi Vini, eighty-nine wine stops through Italy with Joe, is definitely a trip worth taking."--Lidia Bastianich"A compelling read that brings Italys most important wines to life, Grandi Vini is a must-have book for anyone serious about Italian wine."--Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate