The most envied: Torres, Casillero del D. Latour and Tignanello
These are the brands that are most admired (or at least the most envied) in the world. Torres wins but the Italian Tignanello is in fourth position
Latour-1936
Read by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
Drinks International, has got us used to lists of all sorts in a world scenario that usually penalizes the Italian wineries but this time the most famous wine by Marchese Piero Antinori is fourth, just off the podium .
The list of the most admired wine brands is obtained through a vote by 200 experts among which Masters of Wine, journalists, retailers, analysts, buyers and quite a few academics..
1 Torres
2 Casillero del Diablo
3 Château Latour
4 Tignanello
5 Penfolds
6 Château d’Yquem
7 Château Margaux
tignanello
8 Cloudy Bay
9 Guigal
10 Vega Sicilia
Evidently this is one of the global brands with very different characteristics. Torres is a Spanish with wineries in Chile and California and sells in 150 nations around the world. Miguel A. Torres has received the award from the Wine Enthusiast “Lifetime Achievement Wine Star Award” 2012. This is a prize which underlines his role as wine ambassador for Spanish wines but most of all his vision regarding the defence of the environment and sustainability.
In second position we find Casillero del Diablo the Chilean wine most easily found the
Casillero-del-Diablo
world over produced by Concha y Toro a colossus worth 928million dollars per year and 30 million wine cases.
Château Latour in Pauillac the legendary winery with a story that goes back in time until 1331. An extraordinary place where 750.000 vines are cultivated using horse and plough jus as in medieval times. Each small vineyard is vinified separately in 66 vats of different sized. So here there is a manic care which obviously makes it worthwhile.
Finally our champion! Tignanello the wine by the Marchesi Antinori created in the 1970’s with grapes from the Tignanello vineyard in Chianti Classico near the new and wonderful winery in Bargino. 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Together with Sassicaia this wine has christened the new wine type called Supertuscan.
I will not speak of the other wineries mentioned in the list but I do wish to consider one thing: only 4 brands among the first 10 are French. Maybe it’s a sign of times changing, but it still feel s odd.