Superiore is an Italian term that refers to a wine that has a slightly higher alcohol content than what is required for other wines of the region. In most areas, the increase in alcohol is as little as 0.5% to 1%, caused by using riper grapes grown in a vineyard with excellent sun exposure. Regulated under production laws known as Denominazione di Origine Controllata, wines labeled as “superiore” sometimes have longer ageing requirements than other wines, but these regulations vary from region to region. Some of the most famous areas that use this category are Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore and Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore in Veneto, Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi Superiore in Le Marche, and Chianti Superiore in Toscana.
Author: Maytte Rivera
