Italy Shines Bright at Decanter Fine Wine Encounter NYC

The Decanter Fine Wine Encounter returned to New York this month, reaffirming its status as one of the industry’s most prestigious global tasting events. Held at Manhatta, a sleek venue perched high above Lower Manhattan, the event brought together over 50 world-class producers for a full day of discovery, networking, and education geared toward professionals, collectors and serious enthusiasts.

The Grand Tasting featured a curated selection of fine wines from top estates across France, Italy, Spain, California, South America, and beyond. Attendees had the rare chance to taste flagship bottlings and limited library releases while engaging directly with winemakers and proprietors. The portfolio leaned toward collectible and age-worthy wines, making the event particularly valuable for buyers, sommeliers, and importers seeking high-end offerings.

The encounter also included Masterclasses, which provided deep insights, as these sessions provided an opportunity to gain granular insight into terroir expression, vintage variation, and winemaking evolution. Masterclasses included The Art of Aging: A Journey with La Grande Dame (Veuve Cliquot), a vertical Exploration of Six Decades of Biondi-Santi and DOCa Rioja: Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence. Moreover, to commemorate Rioja Spain’s DOCa centennial, the Grand Tasting also featured a Rioja Bar with exclusive tastings of exceptional wines from top producers! 

Naturally, while I aimed to assess wines from each region represented, I dedicated particular attention to the Italian selections, as they align with my professional focus and area of specialization.  At this year’s Decanter Fine Wine Encounter, Italian wines didn’t just hold their own—they captivated. 13 Italian producers were there to showcase their striking sips:

• Ferrari, Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore, Trento Italy 2010 (Magnum)
• Il Caggio, Ipsus, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany, Italy 2018
• Lamole di Lamole, Vigneto di Campolungo, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2010
• San Felice, Poggio Rosso Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2011
• Tenuta Sette Ponti, Oreno, Tuscany, Italy 2010 (Magnum
• Tenute Nicosia, Monte Gorna Vecchie Viti Riserva, Sicily, Italy 2017 (Magnum)
• Nino Negri, Vigna Fracia Valtellina Superiore Valgella, Lombardy, Italy 2018 (magnum)
• Pio Cesare, Mosconi, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2020
• Poderi Luigi Einaudi, Barolo Monvigliero, Piedmont, Italy 2018 (magnum)
• Cantine Damilano, Cannubi Riserva, Barolo “1752”, Piedmont, Italy 2017
• Marchesi di Barolo, Coste di Rose, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2016
• Zenato, Sergio Zenato Classico Riserva, Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 2015
• Pasqua, Mai Dire Mai, Veneto, Italy 2012 (magnum)

Italy’s presence was not only substantial, but deeply expressive. The Chianti Classicos emphasized the elegance and complexity of Sangiovese, particularly in Riserva and Gran Selezione tiers. San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2011 is absolutely beautiful in every way. The Super Tuscans, Il Caggio and Tenuta Sette Ponti, are a clear draw, communicating their remarkable aging potential and how international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot continue to harmonize with Tuscan soil, structure, and soul. Then there were the Barolos. The Barolos emphasized Nebbiolo’s ability to balance austerity with aromatic intensity and evolution over time. Damilano Barolo Cannubi Riserva 2017 blew me away.  Although Tuscany and Piedmont anchored Italy’s lineup, the Fine Wine Encounter also highlighted Italy’s southern and northern frontiers. Nicosia’s 2017 Etna Rosso from Sicily brought freshness, minerality, and herbal tones, while Ferarri Trento of Trentino gave us beautiful alpine sparklers and Nino Negri Valtellina Superiore from Lombardia underscored Italy’s lesser-seen versatility. The Amarones of Veneto, like Pasqua’s Mai dire Mai, brought their style and structure. 

I enjoyed each of these spectacular wines, but I was also pleasantly surprised by some others. Other notable Italian pours included Zenato’s Lugana Riserva 2021, Marchesi di Barolo’s Langhe Bric Amel 2022 (white blend) and Poderi Luigi Einaudi’s Donna Ida Roero Arneis 2024. Each wine showcased heritage and modernity. Each pour was a snapshot of place and identity. This event confirmed that Italy is not a single category—it’s a country of complexity, creativity, and constant reinvention.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not highlight these other global gems:

• Cornerstone, Oakville Station Merlot, Napa Valley, California 2015
• Clos du Val, Yettalil, Stags Leap, Napa Valley, California 2021
• Ponzi Vineyards, Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2013
• Château Saint-Pierre, St Julien 4eme Crue Classe, Bordeaux, France 2005, 2019
• Laurent-Perrier, Grand Siecle No 24, Champagne, France NV, Cuvee Rose 
• Rutini, Altamira Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina 2017
• Remirez de Ganua, Rioja Alavesa Riserva, Spain 2011

The Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2025 edition was a standout, offering a compelling platform for industry insiders, passionate collectors, and curious consumers.  For anyone passionate about fine wines from Italy and the world, the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter is an experience not to be missed!