What vintage is it?
Annata: an-NAH-tah. Literally 'the annual harvest' — the year of the grapes.
Ask when examining a bottle or when the host mentions a particular wine's quality. Vintage year matters enormously in Italian wine — especially for Barolo and Brunello.
Di che annata è means 'what vintage year is it'. Annata refers specifically to the harvest year. This is more precise than anno (year) in a wine context.
Il duemiladicianove è stata una buona annata?
Was 2019 a good vintage?
Asking about a specific year's quality.
Questo è un vino da invecchiamento?
Is this a wine for ageing?
Invecchiamento — ageing. Key for Barolo, Brunello, Amarone.
Quanti anni può stare in bottiglia?
How many years can it stay in bottle?
Asking about ageing potential.
Vintage variation in Italy is dramatic — the difference between a great and a poor year can be enormous, especially in Piedmont and Tuscany. The 2015 and 2016 vintages are considered exceptional for Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino, while 2014 was difficult due to rain.