Lugana DOC Wines Rated in 1998 Guides: A Quality Progress
As at the end of every year, the Italian and international book markets are seeing the release of new guides on wines for 1998. A very vast editorial landscape that allows all enthusiasts of the wine world to know which are, according to authoritative authors, the best wines on the market. An evaluation, of these volumes, that is very personal and always remains solely in the hands of those who have conducted the tastings. It must not be forgotten that the best wine is the one we like the most. The first of the guides, which will appear from now until early 1999, is that of Luca Maroni, a young Roman wine expert who, in just a few years, has managed to establish himself in the relatively narrow panorama of sector experts. Two of his freshly published volumes are: Annual of the Best Italian Wines and Guide to Italian Wines. After each tasting, Maroni assigns a rating and a score. To be featured in the guide, a product must have achieved a score higher than 60/100 during the tasting.
Lugana DOC Wines and Tasting Results
Regarding Lugana DOC wines, this edition features 25 selected wines from among 17 companies that have submitted samples, which Maroni points out, promptly and rigorously, along with the date of tasting. Excellent results, with scores above 74/100, were achieved by 2 sweet or dessert wines, branded Lugana: Sol Doré and Tre Filer. These are worthy of appearing for the first time among Italy’s 40 best wine-fruits.
A significant improvement compared to the previous edition, which listed 21 wines from 12 companies. This indicates the ongoing professionalism demonstrated by the producers themselves, who, once achieving a certain stability in quality, are now mainly focused on maintaining and improving quality. This is the right path, and it rewards the efforts of individual producers with a continuous increase in demand and orders from all over the world.
Every year, new markets open for Lugana DOC, perhaps previously unforeseen, which gratifies both viticulturists and the Consorzio di Tutela. The latter is increasingly committed to promoting and enhancing the product in its various types: still and sparkling.
New Product and Regulations
Great attention is now given to the new product allowed by the recently approved regulations, published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. It concerns the cru of Lugana, namely Lugana Superiore, which requires at least one year of aging and refinement, starting from October 1 of the year of grape harvest.
