Gambero Rosso and Tre Bicchieri

Although I had previously alluded to the Gambero Rosso guide as well as blogged about the Tre Bicchieri tasting which preceded the launch of the Chinese edition in November 2011, I had not really blogged about this useful resource for Italian wines. Gambero Rosso (literally red prawn, sported as a logo on its Website and on its guides) is an Italian food and wine magazine that started life in 1986 as a supplement to the Italian newspaper il manifesto. A year later the first Italian Wine Guide was produced. Wines considered above average by the editors are rated from 1 to 3 glasses, which are respectively, 1 glass = good, 2 glasses = very good and 3 glasses = extraordinary. Since 2002, another category 2 red glasses meant that a candidate to be considered for the 3 glasses award did not qualify for the higher award. In the 2011 Chines edition, there is also a 3 glasses plus, signifying those wines which the Editors' Choice amongst the Tre Bicchieri (3 glasses) wines. The magazine also has a restaurant guide as well as a TV channel. Apart from the Chinese guide, I also have an English edition from 2001.