After the rain of 2002 and the excessive heat of 2003, all indications are that 2004 will be a year to remember for all the right reasons for Italian wine.

A long, cold winter was followed by a cool Spring in the centre and north. Warm, but not too hot weather prevailed during the summer, leading on to a September and October with warm sunny days and cool nights, ideal for the long, slow ripening of wine grapes.

The results are fabulous in Tuscany with exceptional wines, likened to 1997 and 1999. Sangiovese is particularly successful across the region from Chianti Classico to Montalcino.

Piedmont and the Veneto will be excellent too with ripe Nebbiolo grapes coming in at around 13.5% potential alcohol for the Barolos. In the Veneto, the phenolic levels of ripeness in Valpolicella are very impressive, it will be a great vintage for Amarone.