Fast food, quick-service, grab-and-go…the world of food seems to be less about enjoyment of a meal and more about the speed at which we can eat and run. The Slow Food movement has been working to change this dynamic since 1986. Founded in Italy [of course!] it promotes “the enjoyment of good, clean, and fair food, while also advocating for the preservation of local food traditions and biodiversity.” Naturally, “good, clean food” deserves to be enjoyed with wine made by like-minded producers. Thus the emergence of the Slow Wine movement. This more recent offshoot “supports and promotes small-scale winemakers who are using traditional techniques, working with respect for the environment and terroir, and safeguarding the incredible biodiversity of grape varieties that are part of our heritage.” [Slow Wine Manifesto]
We learned about the Slow Wine movement when the 2025 Slow Wine expo came to town in March with a 54-winery tasting at the Artists for Humanity complex in South Boston. Each of the wineries [47 of which were from Italy] is Slow Wine-approved. While not required to be certified organic, the producers embrace biodiversity and respect and protect their terroir and place of origin.
As Italophiles of longstanding [yes, it’s a word!], VinoDuo happily sampled wine from many of the Italian wineries, as well as a few from the U.S. We gravitated towards regions we’ve visited, or plan to visit, including Puglia, Sardinia, Umbria, and the Finger Lakes. Following is our list of favorite wines made the Slow Wine way.
Wines We Loved
| WHITE | |||
| Masone Mannu Sardinia, IT | Costarenas Vermentino 2023 | A little lemon peal. A lot of intense fruit. And a hint of salt. Light-bodied, crisp and dry, with a zesty finish. Vermentino is Sardinia’s native varietal and a new VinoDuo favorite. | $16 |
| Buttonwood Grove Winery Finger Lakes, NY | Riesling Pét-Nat 2021 | Short for Pétillant Naturel, this dry Riesling is musty, fizzy, funky, and fun. Pét-Na is the “oldest known method of producing sparkling wine” and, at 10% alcohol it’s the perfect semi-sober summer sipper. Must Buy! | $19 |
| ROSE | |||
| Pietraventosa Puglia, IT | EstRosa Rosato 2024 85% Primitivo 15% Aglianico | A fresh, lively blend of native Puglian grapes. It’s pretty in pink but nothing like those bubble gum Provencal rosés. Lots of red berries and good minerality. | $23 |
| Selva Capuzza Lombardy, IT | Chiaretto Rosé 2022 Marzemino, Groppello, Sangiovese, Barbera, | Crisp, delicate and the palest of pinks, this rosato is in the Provencal style but has more oomph and structure. | $22 |
| RED | |||
| Pietraventosa Puglia, IT | Riserva Primitivo 2019 | This full-bodied Primativo brought us back to Puglia with its almost-black/purple juice, leather-tobacco-toasted oak nose and delicious black currant licorice palate. This is a serious wine that we thoroughly enjoyed, especially since the owner/winemaker gifted a bottle to us at the close of the show. | $47 |
| Tenuta Bricco San Giorgio Piedmont, IT | Rossomora Barbera D’Asti Superiore | You initially note the medium-dark garnet color. The nose is reminiscent of black currant clove/cinnamon/nutmeg with some toasted oak. Smooth and black fruit notes on the palate, and a long finish, without the typical acidity of many Barberas. [sadly not available in the US] | NA |
| Pian delle Querci Montalcino, IT | Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 | A beautifully constructed, well-priced Brunello that delivers on all cylinders! With aromas of toasted cedar, leathered humidor, and forest floor. The palate is smooth with tightly wound black cherries that deliver over a long, silky finish. Outstanding! Must Buy! | $60 |
| Arillo in Terrabianca Chianti, IT | Campaccio Toscana Rosso 2020 70% Sangiovese 20% Cab Sauv 10% Merlot | If you savor the acidity and puckery, dry-sour cherry taste of most Toscanas, this wine is not for you. The Campaccio is a pleasure to drink. It rocks a velvety mid-tone cherry pie juice that confirms a sense of place. We would love it if all producers aspired to make their Toscanas in the cast of this delicious wine, which we’ve deemed a “reference Toscana” Must Buy! | $40 |
VinoDuo 