Italy’s Top 10 Wines: The Bottles That Changed the Country
Written by - Cult Wines Team
From the vineyards of Tuscany to the hills of Piedmont, Italy has produced wines that have challenged conventions, transformed regions and earned devoted followings around the world. Using Wine-Searcher search data as our guide, we explore ten of the country’s most sought-after names, including Sassicaia, Tignanello, Masseto, Ornellaia, Monfortino, Soldera and Gaja.
Some built their reputations by breaking established rules, while others succeeded through an uncompromising commitment to tradition, place and patience. From the Super Tuscans that reshaped Italian wine to monumental expressions of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, discover the stories behind the bottles that continue to command the attention of collectors and wine lovers worldwide.
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News in brief
Michelin’s Winery Ratings Face Early Backlash
Michelin’s new winery rating system has drawn immediate criticism following the launch of its inaugural Burgundy guide, with Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux publicly rejecting its one-grape award. The Michelin Grape Selection rates wine estates rather than individual wines, assessing quality, consistency and vineyard practices, but its methodology has already been questioned by producers, highlighting the challenges of applying Michelin’s ranking system to the wine world.
US Buying Supports Fine Wine Market Stability
US buyers are playing an increasingly important role in the fine wine market, accounting for 26.9% of purchase value in the second quarter of 2026 as prices show signs of stabilising. According to Liv-ex, stronger US demand has helped support benchmark prices despite subdued trading volumes, while older Bordeaux vintages have proved more resilient than younger wines in the cautious market.
Sparkling Wine Overtakes Still Wine in Singapore
Sparkling wine has become Singapore’s largest wine import category by value, surpassing still wine for the second consecutive year in 2025. Driven by strong demand for Champagne and other premium French wines, sparkling accounted for more than half of the country’s wine import value, highlighting Singapore’s increasingly premium-focused market and France’s growing dominance as the leading supplier.
What we’re drinking
Château Figeac, Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2014
Jonathan Stevenson, EVP North America - Cult Wines
Had the 2014 Château Figeac at dinner last week, Right Bank, right time, you could say. One of those bottles I'd been sitting on and finally decided to crack open at a little local Italian, and honestly, it delivered exactly the kind of evening I was hoping for.
2014 doesn't get talked about with the same reverence as 2015, '16 or '19, and that's exactly why I like it. It's one of those quieter Bordeaux vintages where there's less hype and less price inflation, but the wines are drinking beautifully right now. Figeac in particular is a great example. In the glass, it's all dark cherry and plum, with some cedar, graphite and dried herb coming through with age. The tannins have softened into something silky, but there's still enough structure and freshness to keep everything interesting.
We had it with ragù and a creamy mushroom pasta, and it worked brilliantly with both. That's part of what I love about this style of Right Bank Bordeaux, plenty of pedigree, but generous and approachable enough that you don't need to build the whole meal around the wine.
If you can find the 2014 Figeac, it's well worth seeking out. It's hitting a lovely point now, with plenty of life still ahead of it. Tuck a bottle away if you can, but don't be afraid to open one either, it's singing.
Our fine wine feature
From Function to Fine Art: The Story of Mouton Rothschild's Label Paintings
Written by - Jesse Wu, Client Account Manager - Cult Wines
For more than eighty years, Château Mouton Rothschild has transformed the humble wine label into a canvas for some of the world’s most celebrated artists. What began with a special commission in 1924 became an annual tradition after the Second World War, bringing together names including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Andy Warhol and, more recently, Olafur Eliasson and Joana Vasconcelos.
Behind each label lies its own story, shaped by artistic freedom, personal history and occasionally controversy. From sketches reportedly begun on café napkins to royal watercolours and labels marking historic events, we explore how Mouton Rothschild built one of the wine world’s most remarkable artistic traditions, and why these miniature works of art continue to add another dimension to the bottles collectors seek out today.
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Explore & travel
A Journey Through Burgundy: Four days on the Côte d’Or
Written by - Tom Turner, Trading and Operations Director - Cult Wines
A small group of Cult Wines clients explored the Côte d’Or, visiting vineyards, producers and wines that have made the region so revered. The itinerary included Nuits-Saint-Georges, Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Vosne-Romanée and Beaune, with private visits to Marchand-Tawse, Domaine Trapet Père et Fils, Domaine Dujac, Domaine Faiveley, Domaine Jean Grivot and Maison Joseph Drouhin.
We tasted an exceptional range of wines, from village and Premier Cru bottlings to some of Burgundy’s most sought-after Grands Crus, including Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Bonnes-Mares and Musigny. Paired with Michelin-starred dining, vineyard walks and time with the people behind the wines, the trip offered a rare opportunity to experience Burgundy at its source.
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