Bertani’s Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 is the number 1 wine in the world, according to James Suckling

“The wine world needs to acknowledge its classic wines that embody the greatness of time and place, which is one of the reasons that JamesSuckling.com has crowned Bertani’s Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 its “Wine of the Year” 2024”.
James Suckling, one of the most famous Internationally renowned wine critics, has crowned the wine produced by Bertani number 1 in the world on his “Top 100 World Wines 2024” ranking (and, obviously, on his “Top 100” ranking dedicated to Italian wines). It is one of the gems of the Angelini Wines & Estates mosaic, led by CEO Alberto Lusini (including also the Val di Suga Estates in Montalcino, Tenuta Trerose in Montepulciano, and San Leonino in Chianti Classico, all in Tuscany, as well as Puiatti in Friuli and Fazi Battaglia in Puglia, ed.). Bertani’s wine, Suckling has written (Aldo Fiordelli is the signature for Italy, for a few months, ed.), “comes from the vineyards of Tenuta Novare, in the North-eastern Italian region of Valpolicella Classica, where the vine has thrived since the Roman Empire era. The wine’s balance and refinement are breathtaking, illustrating the greatness of today’s neoclassical wines – the wines that draw from the past but reflect contemporary precision in viticulture and winemaking, offering the ultimate in harmony and drinkability. And its superb character and nature shine in the glass, in spite of the traditional grape drying processes used to produce this red wine”. Bertani is not the only Italian wine in James Suckling’s “Top 100,” as Italy took the lion’s share, 26 wines (out of over 9.100 Italian wines tasted, ed.), followed by France (18), the United States (15), Germany (12), Argentina (6), Spain (6), Chile (6), Australia (5), Austria (4), South Africa (1) and China (1). The list, Suckling said, whose criteria follows absolute quality, relationship to price, and the “wow” factor, i.e., the emotion that a great wine evokes. “The wines on our list of the 100 best wines in the world have a minimum production of 5.000 bottles and an average Wine-Searcher price of less than US$500. Some wines may not be on the market yet, but they will be soon. In the past, we have made exceptions for wines like Brunello di Montalcino, but we no longer do that”, the critic emphasized.
At position number 4 on the list is the famous Valdarno di Sopra Galatrona 2022 by Petrolo, followed, at number 8, by another excellent classic like Pinot Bianco Alto Adige Vorberg Reserve 2021 by Terlano, and, at number 9, Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2022 by Tenuta delle Terre Nere, all in the top 10. Next, at number 13, is Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2021 by Castello di Ama, then at number 22 another Italian wine “must” Oreno 2022 by Tenuta Sette Ponti of the Moretti Cuseri family. At position number 27, the Val d’Aosta Sopraquota 900 2022 by Rosset, and at number 28, Maremma Toscana Saffredi 2022 by Fattoria Le Pupille, now an icon of the territory, like Gattinara Riserva 2019 by Travaglini. At position number 42, another Sicilian wine, Etna Bianco San Lorenzo 2023 by Girolamo Russo, then a wine from the Langhe, at number 43, Barolo Mosconi 2020 by the Pio Cesare brand, just ahead of a symbol of white Italian wine, Cervaro della Sala 2022 by the Castello della Sala of the Marchesi Antinori. At number 47 on the list, another wine that is in the elite of Italian wine, Cepparello 2021 by Isole e Olena, from Chianti Classico (now owned by the EPI Group of the French Descours family, together with Tenuta Greppo Biondi Santi, the cradle of Brunello di Montalcino, ed.), ahead of the famous Colore 2022 by Bibi Graetz, one of the most creative Italian producers, which closes the Italian wines in the “Top 50”.
There are, however, many other “great classic” Italian wines on James Sucklin’’s “Top 100” world wines. In position 56, San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2019 by Tenuta San Leonardo, at number 58, Barolo Monvigliero 2020 by Vietti, at number 62, Per Sempre 2024 by the Tua Rita brand, and at number 64, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Stropa 2015 by Monte dall’Ora. Continuing on, at position number 76, Barolo Colonnello 2022 by Poderi Aldo Conterno, just ahead of Barbaresco Rabajà 2021 by Falletto di Bruno Giacosa at number 77. Another wine from the Langhe at number 82, Barolo Fossati 2020 by Roberto Voerzio, and at number 85, Sauvignon Blanc Alto Adige Tannenberg 2022 by Manincor. Closing the group of Italian wines is another Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus 2020 by Il Caggio (Mazzei); then, at number 94, Venezia – Giulia Podere dei Blumeri 2020 by Schiopetto, and, finally, at number 99, the legendary Italian wine, Sassicaia 2021 by Tenuta San Guido.

“Top 100 World Wines 2024” by JamesSuckling.com

1 – Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015
2 – Künstler Riesling Rheingau Hölle GG 2023
3 – F.X. Pichler Riesling Wachau Ried Kellerberg 2023
4 – Petrolo Valdarno di Sopra Galatrona 2022
5 – Dönnhoff Riesling Nahe Hermannshöhle GG 2023
6 – Vik Valle de Cachapoal VIK 2021
7 – K Vintners Syrah Yakima Valley Motor City Kitty 2021
8 – Cantina Terlan Pinot Bianco Alto Adige Vorberg Riserva 2021
9 – Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2022
10 – Château Suduiraut Sauternes 2021
11 – Domaine Barmes – Buecher Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Hengst 2022
12 – Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner Traisental Berg EL 2023
13 – Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2021
14 – Wittmann Riesling Rheinhessen Morstein GG 2023
15 – Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Alsace Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain 2022
16 – Château Lafaurie – Peyraguey Sauternes 2021
17 – Catena Zapata Chardonnay Mendoza Adrianna Vineyard White Bones 2022
18 – Albert Mann Pinot Noir Alsace Grand Cru Hengst Grand H 2022
19 – Dr. Wehrheim Riesling Pfalz Kastanienbusch GG 2023
20 – Bodegas San Francisco Javier Jerez Fino Viña Corrales Balbaína L.2024
21 – Müller – Catoir Riesling Pfalz Bürgergarten Im Breumel GG 2023
22 – Tenuta Sette Ponti Toscana Oreno 2022
23 – Matias Riccitelli Malbec Los Chacayes Valle de Uco 2021
24 – Clos du Lican Apalta 2021
25 – Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Wachau Ried Singerriedel Smaragd 2023
26 – Frankland Estate Riesling Frankland River Isolation Ridge 2022
27 – Rosset Valle d’Aosta Sopraquota 900 2022
28 – Fattoria Le Pupille Maremma Toscana Saffredi 2022
29 – Travaglini Gattinara Riserva 2019
30 – Ökonomierat Rebholz Riesling Pfalz Kastanienbusch GG 2023
31 – Domaine Weinbach Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg Ste. Catherine 2022
32 – Christmann Riesling Pfalz Idig GG 2023
33 – Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma County Russian River Valley Eastside Vineyard 2022
34 – Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2021
35 – Domaine de la Solitude Châteauneuf – du – Pape Vin de la Solitude 2021
36 – Moric Blaufränkisch Burgenland Lutzmannsburg Alte Reben 2022
37 – Kühling – Gillot Riesling Rheinhessen Pettenthal GG 2023
38 – Thörle Spätburgunder Rheinhessen Hölle 2022
39 – El Enemigo Cabernet Franc El Cepillo Mendoza Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard 2021
40 – August Kesseler Pinot Noir Rheingau Höllenberg GG 2022
41 – Zuccardi Malbec Gualtallary Finca Las Cerrilladas 2021
42 – Girolamo Russo Etna Bianco San Lorenzo 2023
43 – Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi 2020
44 – Hyde de Villaine Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2021
45 – Marchesi Antinori Umbria Cervaro Della Sala 2022
46 – Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Valle de Maipo Muse 2021
47 – Isole e Olena Toscana Cepparello 2021
48 – Bibi Graetz Toscana Colore 2022
49 – Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello 2021
50 – Dr. Bürklin – Wolf Riesling Pfalz Pechstein GC 2023
51 – Keller Riesling Rheinhessen Abtserde GG 2023
52 – Chacra Pinot Noir Patagonia Treinta y Dos 2023
53 – Viña Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto 2022
54 – Duemani Cabernet Franc Costa Toscana 2021
55 – Peter Michael Winery Chardonnay Sonoma County Knights Valley Belle – Cote 2021
56 – San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2019
57 – Almaviva Puente Alto 2022
58 – Vietti Barolo Monvigliero 2020
59 – RAEN Pinot Noir Sonoma County Sonoma Coast Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard 2022
60 – Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Tchelistcheff 2021
61 – Château Smith – Haut – Lafitte Pessac – Leognan Blanc 2021
62 – Tua Rita Syrah Toscana Per Sempre 2022
63 – Kistler Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2022
64 – Monte dall’Ora Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Stropa 2015
65 – Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Coombsville Nathan Coombs Estate Cristina’s Signature 2021
66 – Billecart – Salmon Champagne Cuvée Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012
67 – Bodegas Roda Rioja Cirsion 2021
68 – Louis Latour Corton – Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022
69 – Viña Cobos Malbec Mendoza Cobos 2021
70 – Seña Valle de Aconcagua 2022
71 – Keplinger Napa Valley Oakville Vine Hill Ranch 2021
72 – Domaine Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Gréal 2022
73 – JL Chave Hermitage Blanc 2018
74 – To Kalon Vineyard Co. Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oakville H.W.C. To Kalon Vineyard 2021
75 – Sadie Family Swartland Columella 2022
76 – Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2020
77 – Bruno Giacosa Falletto Barbaresco Rabajà 2021
78 – Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra Bin 169 2022
79 – M. Anto. De la Riva Jerez La Riva Amontillado Superiorísimo
80 – Château L’Église Clinet Pomerol 2021
81 – Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Brut Rosé 2012
82 – Roberto Voerzio Barolo Fossati 2020
83 – Giaconda Chardonnay Beechworth Estate Vineyard 2022
84 – Ao Yun Shangri – La 敖云云南香格里拉 2020
85 – Manincor Sauvignon Blanc Alto Adige Tannenberg 2022
86 – Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce Bobal Manchuela Pino 2023
87 – Cayuse Vineyards Syrah Walla Walla Valley Bionic Frog 2021
88 – Ipsus Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020
89 – Continuum Napa Valley Sage Mountain Vineyard 2021
90 – Yangarra Roussanne McLaren Vale Roux Beauté 2022
91 – Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux Bordeaux Blanc 2021
92 – Clarendon Hills Grenache McLaren Vale Blewitt Springs Romas 2022
93 – Domaine Faiveley Mazis – Chambertin Grand Cru 2022
94 – Schiopetto Venezia – Giulia Podere dei Blumeri 2020
95 – Artadi Álava Viña El Pison 2022
96 – Dominus Napa Valley 2021
97 – Cathiard Vineyard Napa Valley 2021
98 – E. Guigal Côte – Rôtie La Landonne 2020
99 – Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri – Sassicaia Sassicaia 2021
100 – López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 2004

Top 100 Italian Wines 2024

1 – Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015
2 – Petrolo Valdarno di Sopra Galatrona 2022
3 – Bibi Graetz Toscana Colore 2022
4 – Cantina Terlan Pinot Bianco Alto Adige Vorberg Riserva 2021
5 – Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2022
6 – Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2021
7 – Fattoria Le Pupille Maremma Toscana Saffredi 2022
8 – Tenuta Sette Ponti Toscana Oreno 2022
9 – Isole e Olena Toscana Cepparello 2021
10 – Travaglini Gattinara Riserva 2019
11 – Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi 2020
12 – Rosset Valle d’Aosta Sopraquota 900 2022
13 – Vietti Barolo Monvigliero 2020
14 – Bruno Giacosa Falletto Barbaresco Rabajà 2021
15 – Tua Rita Syrah Toscana Per Sempre 2022
16 – Marchesi Antinori Umbria Cervaro Della Sala 2022
17 – Schiopetto Friulano Collio Mario Schiopetto M 2023
18 – Monte dall’Ora Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Stropa 2015
19 – Roberto Voerzio Barolo Fossati 2020
20 – Ipsus Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020
21 – Montevertine Toscana Le Pergole Torte 2021
22 – Girolamo Russo Etna Bianco San Lorenzo 2023
23 – Il Borro Syrah Toscana Alessandro dal Borro 2018
24 – Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Bagnadore Rosé Riserva 2011
25 – Bulichella Syrah Costa Toscana Hide 2021
26 – Manincor Sauvignon Blanc Alto Adige Tannenberg 2022
27 – M. Marengo Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2020
28 – Galardi Campania Terra di Lavoro 2021
29 – Castello di Bossi Toscana DiMarco 2021
30 – Duemani Cabernet Franc Costa Toscana 2021
31 – San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2019
32 – Damilano Barolo Cannubi Riserva 1752 2017
33 – Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2021
34 – G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2020
35 – Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2020
36 – Romano Dal Forno Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta 2016
37 – Castello dei Rampolla Toscana d’Alceo 2020
38 – Ca’Viola Barolo Sottocastello di Novello 2020
39 – Mazzei Toscana Philip 2021
40 – Passopisciaro Terre Siciliane Contrada R 2022
41 – Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2019
42 – Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Capitel Monte Olmi Riserva 2017
43 – Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018
44 – Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo 2021
45 – Conterno-Fantino Barolo Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra 2020
46 – Frescobaldi Toscana Gorgona 2023
47 – Brancaia Toscana Il Blu 2021
48 – Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2015
49 – Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2020
50 – Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio 2021
51 – Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore 2021
52 – I Vigneri Etna Rosso Viti Centenarie del Vinupetra 2021
53 – Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Enrico VI 2020
54 – Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Il Nocio 2020
55 – Orma Toscana 2022
56 – Tenuta del Nicchio Toscana Lodovico 2020
57 – Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi Rosé Riserva 2015
58 – Stefano Amerighi Syrah Cortona Apice 2020
59 – Selvapiana Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina 2015
60 – Paolo Scavino Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 2020
61 – Ornellaia Bolgheri Bianco 2021
62 – Pira (Chiara Boschis) Barolo Mosconi 2020
63 – Argiolas Isola dei Nuraghi Turriga 2020
64 – Monteverro Toscana 2021
65 – Corte Sant’Alda Amarone della Valpolicella Mithas 2015
66 – Valentini Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2020
67 – Sandrone Barolo Aleste 2020
68 – La Spinetta Barbaresco Vürsù Starderi 2021
69 – Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri Superiore Dedicato a Walter 2021
70 – Tenuta di Biserno Toscana Biserno 2021
71 – Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche 2020
72 – Pietradolce Etna Rosso Vigna Barbagalli 2020
73 – Masseto Toscana Massetino 2022
74 – Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto 2018
75 – Neri Etna Rosso Contrada Arrigo 2021
76 – Tasca d’Almerita Etna Bianco Tascante Contrada Sciaranuova 2022
77 – Elia Palazzesi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018
78 – Castello Bonomi Franciacorta Millesimato Bio Brut Rosé 2020
79 – Fattoria Montellori Vino Spumante Metodo Classico Blanc de Blancs Pas Dosè 2020
80 – Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi Piano di Montevergine Riserva 2018
81 – Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca 2022
82 – Balgera Valtellina Superiore Vigneto Pizaméi Riserva 2016
83 – Foradori Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti Fuoripista 2022
84 – Antoniolo Gattinara San Francesco Riserva 2019
85 – Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni 2020
86 – Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018
87 – San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere Riserva 2018
88 – Tenuta di Trinoro Toscana Rosso Palazzi 2022
89 – Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Serra dei Turchi 2020
90 – Alois Lageder PInot Noir Alto Adige KRAFUSS 2022
91 – Blue Zone Isola dei Nuraghi Vigneti Centenari 2021
92 – Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli 2020
93 – Inama Soave Classico Vintage Selection 2016
94 – Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova 2020
95 – Jermann Venezia-Giulia Vintage Tunina 2022
96 – Elena Walch Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds 2021
97 – Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2019
98 – Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio 2019
99 – Volpaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Coltassala 2021
100 – Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2017