Gambero Rosso is back on Australian soil this week, after a three-year hiatus, returning with its Top Italian Wines Roadshow. If you love Italian wine, Gambero Rosso is for you.
Gambero Rosso: The Global Voice of Italian Wine
Gambero Rosso is more than a wine guide—it’s a global authority on Italian taste. GR was founded in 1986 as a way to showcase Italian food and wine, in both written form (publishing) and as a practical way for people to sample and buy Italian wines. Through its travelling Top Italian Wines Roadshow, it brings the depth and diversity of Italy’s wine culture to cities around the world, connecting producers, trade and media in a single, immersive experience. Its name literally translates as ‘red prawn’
Alongside the wines, it recognises restaurants that uphold the traditions of Italian food and drink, reinforcing its role as a guardian of quality and authenticity.
The Benchmark: Vini d’Italia
At the heart of Gambero Rosso is Vini d’Italia—widely regarded as the definitive guide to Italian wine. Each year, tens of thousands of wines are rigorously tasted and assessed, then distilled into a selection that reflects the richness and diversity of Italy’s wine regions.
Giuseppe Carrus: At the Centre of Italian Wine Excellence
Leading this process is Giuseppe Carrus—editor, curator and one of the most influential voices in Italian wine today.
With a background as a sommelier, restaurateur and educator, Carrus sits at the centre of an extraordinary tasting operation, guiding teams of experts through tens of thousands of wines each year.
The Art of Selection: From Thousands to the Best
From this vast pool, only a small number rise to the top. Carrus plays a pivotal role in shaping the final selections, including the prestigious Tre Bicchieri awards—the highest recognition in Italian wine.
His approach goes beyond technical scoring, identifying wines that truly express place, tradition and identity.
A Travelling Experience of Italian Wine
On the road, Carrus brings this world to life—leading masterclasses, interpreting regions and translating complexity into something immediate and engaging.
Through him, Gambero Rosso becomes more than a guide—it becomes a living, travelling expression of Italy’s finest wines and the culture behind them.
Understanding the Gambero Rosso Ratings
Gambero Rosso’s influence is built on its highly respected rating systems, which recognise excellence across wine, restaurants and bars.
Wine: Tre Bicchieri
The highest honour in Italian wine is the Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award.
Each year, after extensive blind tastings of tens of thousands of wines, only a small number are awarded this top distinction—signifying outstanding quality, character and expression of terroir.
Above: This year’s Sydney Restaurant award winners
Restaurants: Fork Ratings
Restaurants are classified using a one to three fork system:
- 1 Fork – High-quality cuisine
- 2 Forks – Excellent, refined cooking
- 3 Forks – Exceptional, world-class dining
These awards recognise venues that uphold the integrity and tradition of Italian gastronomy.
Bars & Cafés: Cup Ratings
Bars and cafés are rated using one to three cups (tazze):
- 1 Cup – Very good
- 2 Cups – Excellent
- 3 Cups – Outstanding
This category celebrates excellence in Italian coffee culture, pastry and casual dining.
The Masterclass
The masterclass, featuring an extensive 14-wines, was led by Giuseppe Carrus himself. It was fascinating to hear why he chose these wines to showcase ( given the 14,00 he tried this year). It was a trip through the regions of Italy and included some of the most surprising wines. For me, the Colli di Luna Vermentino 2025 with its basil nose and Many of the Primitivos, both at this Masterclass and during the broader tasting
Here’s the list of wines:
- 1. Villa Sqandi cartizze Brut La Rivetta 2024- Prosecco. Excitingly dry, fresh, mineral and complex. VENETO
- 2. Cantina Settecani. Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Vini del Re. A tre bicchieri winner! Fruit, spice, acid, bubbles, the best. EMILIA ROMAGNA
- 3. Lunae Bosoni. Colli di Luna Vermentino Lunae Et. Nera 2025 Incredibly, this wine smells like fresh-picked basil. Its limestone and clay terroir gives it a savoury mineral character, love. LIGURIA.
- 4. Cantina Kurtatsch Chardonnay Freienfeld Ris. 2023. With a viscous texture, this wine is barrel-aged, fruit, salt, refreshing, no real alcohol taste. Very easy to drink. ALTO ADIGE
- 5. Borgo Conventi. Collio Bianco Luna di Ponca 2022 Chardonnay and Malvasia. Has structure, freshness, but a very gentle fresh appeal FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA
- 6. Ridolfi. Brunello di Montalcino 2020 Full-bodied, acidic, tannic, long on the palate, classic TUSCANY
- 7. Il Borro. Il Borro Toscana IGT is a blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Syrah, aged in wood for 24 months. Balanced, creamy, young, medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins, TUSCANY
- 8. Bertinga. Volta di Bertinga 2019. 100 % Merlot. French Oak hand harvested with creamy soft character, with freshness, acidity, not heavily tannic TUSCANY
- 9. Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi 2019 Nebbiolo single vineyard traced back to plantings from 1947 to 1971. Red fruit, wood, persistent and velvety, hints of balsamic. Priced around $350 PIEDMONT
- 10. Cantina dei Colli Ripani. Diavolo e Veneto 2020 Montepuciano 95% + Cab Sav 5%. Carefully selected grapes harvested in crates. Long maceration on the skins (20-25 days). 30% of the grapes are dried, vinified separately, and added to the batch. Light cherry, well-balanced tannins MARCHE
- 11. Masciarelli, Montepuciano d’Abruzzo San Martino Rosso Marina Cvetic Ris 2021 High alcohol concentrated fruits and tannins. A bit musty tasting ABRUZZO
- 12. Amastuola Lamqarossa Primitivo 2021 Salente IGT Deliciously berry, acid, fruit, not tannic, almost thin.
- 13. Coppi Gioia del Colle Primitivo Senetore 2020 PUGLIA from limestone and clay. Salty, tannic, spicy, warm, but with some liveliness
- 14. Varvaglione 1921 Primitivo di Manduria Papale Oro 2021 PUGLIA. Western Puglia, sandy soils and salty air. Manduria, the home of Primitivo. Dried fruits, and an elegant, rich finish without heavy tannins
Do you love Italian wine? If you would like to know more, you can get The Gambero Rosso 2026 from bookstores. Alla prossima!
Want to know more? gamberorossointernational.com
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What an exciting event for wine lovers! I really enjoyed learning about the range of Italian wines being showcased and the opportunity to explore different regions and styles in one place. Experiences like this are a wonderful way to connect with the stories, traditions, and craftsmanship behind each bottle. Thanks for sharing the highlights.
This sounds like an incredible event for anyone passionate about Italian wine. I love how Gambero Rosso brings together producers and wine enthusiasts, creating opportunities to discover regional varieties and the stories behind them. Events like this really highlight the diversity and craftsmanship that make Italian wines so special.