The big secret is that the vino sfuso (house wine) you find in many trattorie in Italy are better than most wines you can find in a supermarket in America. And you cannot find these Italian wines in America because they are not marketable. They rely on freshness and are wines for the moment. They are very simple wines, often very good (like the vino bianco I had in a Milanese trattoria today).
In response to the age-old question I hear so many times, “Why do Italian wines taste different in Italy than they do in America?” More as a response than an answer: these wines do not represent the best of Italy, but whenever I go into a humble café or restaurant in Italy I often go straight for the vino della casa. I am seldom disappointed. I would not import nor would I ever cellar these wines.
But with a plate of fritto misto, there isn't anything better.
written by Alfonso Cevola limited rights reserved On the Wine Trail in Italy
wine blog + Italian wine blog + Italy W
4 comments:
zio! i just posted quickly on some vino sfuso while in fiesole! salute! sent you an email as well...
cheers
So true, Alfonso, I've found too that those Italian Vino de la Casa are just right wherever you are. The same can be said of house wines in modest restaurants in Spain, and Portugal... Sadly though, very rarely in France. We've had to give up on them - I even tried complaining gently on paying the bill somewhere, and was given the answer "What did you expect, choosing house wine". No excuse today for bad wine anywhere - I hope Italy keeps up this good standard.
Nipo - way to go - you are the ripper. grasshopper!
Wink - Odd the french would think of house wine in that way - why even make the stuff, except to make money. Odd...
DB - maybe that has something to do with it and maybe these folks who visit Italy are on vacation, they are stressed-less, they are getting away from pressures that cause internal fires to burn and create psychic gas - worse than any sulfered wines
It's true, I've had great house wine across Italy and indeed, sfusi prosecci with frito misto is the best in summer.
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