This Lazio Vermentino IGT from Castello di Torre in Pietra is aged in steel tanks for about 3 months and offers a crystalline, vibrant and organic expression of the aromatic Vermentino grape.

A straw yellow colour in the glass opens with a nose of white fruit and ripe peach, broom and aromatic herbs. The palate it is full-bodied, fresh, savoury and with typically marine mineral traces.

Italian designers bring their best bling to the design of the new Pizzolato Prosecco, which contains zero alcohol but loads of lovely aromatic flavour. This lightly sparkling wine is certified organic. 

Earthy red made from the Sangiovese grape and a wine that represents Central Italy at its best, expressing this elegant grape's great structure thanks to being made from 20 to 30 year old vines, hand picked grapes and a wild ferment in concrete and stainless steel for 12 to 15 days. The wine was aged for six months in concrete and three months in bottle, pre release. 

It's a wow red, both for drinking now and for aging. The beautiful firm smooth tannin structure, high but balanced acidity and the purity of red fruit all make it an exceptional red wine. 

This great white is made from one of Italy’s oldest known white grape varieties – and undoubtedly one of its best, Verdicchio. This grape originates either in the Marché region on central Italy’s east coast or it comes from the Veneto region in the north. It’s found in both regions but goes under different names in each (as Verdicchio or as Trebbiano). Those details aside, Verdicchio makes wines with intense lemon flavours, a medium to full body and lingering finish, due to its relatively high acidity. The best Verdicchio can age well for up to a decade.

Garofoli’s Podium shows another side to Italian wine; it’s a complex dry white for drinking now and can also undoubtedly age well. Try it. 

Winemaking Philosophy
The Arneis vineyards used for this selection are cultivated on loose soils with a strong presence of silica and a particular microclimate, which can give wines aromatic and elegant.

The grapes are picked by hand and the harvest is followed by cold maceration with soft pressing. The must then undergoes temperature controlled fermentation at 16-18 °C for about 10 days. The last important phase for this wine is a short period of bottle ageing, in order to develop its structure and pleasant bouquet.

Tasting Notes
Colour: clear straw yellow.
Bouquet: complex, intensely fruity with attractive notes of vanilla, face powder and candyfloss.
Palate: well balanced and elegant. The finish shows notes of peach and honey.
Statistical information
Grape variety: Arneis
Alcohol: 13.50 % vol.
Appellation: Roero Arneis DOCG
Aging: on the lees in steel vats.

The Casalforte Valpolicella Superiore DOC by Riondo is a red wine that encapsulates the elegance and richness of the Veneto region. This is a refined creation from the hills of Valpolicella, known for its fertile soil and ideal climate that promote the optimal ripening of the grapes.

Valpolicella Superiore is primarily produced from three native grape varieties: Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. This particular cuvée undergoes a process of partial drying, which gives the wine a more concentrated and aromatic structure. The result is a wine of considerable depth and complexity, with an alcohol content of around 14%.

Visually, the Casalforte Valpolicella Superiore DOC has an intense ruby red color with purple reflections. On the nose, it unfolds a rich aromatic bouquet with notes of ripe cherry, plum, spices, and a subtle hint of chocolate and vanilla, evidence of its maturation in barrique. On the palate, the wine is velvety and warm, with a perfect harmony between acidity and soft tannins that weave into a persistent and rewarding finish.

The Ovello site has more clay, and the resulting wines are plump and fruit forward meaning they often drink earlier, as well as being super age worthy too. Classic ripe cherry notes that develop autumnal qualities and  more of the tar and spice that Barbaresco is famous for with age.

Ovello is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme.

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of matu

A great Italian red from one of the oldest family owned wineries in the world, which has produced wine since the 1200s. This expressive Chianti Classico is dense and complex with piquant spicy aromas, firm impressive tannins and the energy of a great red from one of the world's classic wine regions.

"Impenetrable dark ruby. Deep, concentrated marasca cherry and cherry liqueur with a minty, oaky note and a hint of cinnamon. A concentrated cherry-fruit palate layered with minty oak notes and lots of sandy tannins building up on the tangy finish. Will disappoint no one."

16.5/20 – Jancis Robinson Purple Pages

San Marzano 'Talo' Negroamaro Puglia IGP is a full-bodied, deep purple red wine with violet reflections from the Apulian based company, San Marzano. It has an intense aroma of blackcurrant and wild fruit, with notes of spice, vanilla and balsamic. 

The wine is aged in French oak barrels for six months and will age gracedully for five to six years. It pairs well with savoury dishes, meats and mature cheese.

Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco is a distinctive and complex white wine from Sicily.

 It is made from a blend of two native grape varieties: Albanello and Zibibbo. The grapes are handpicked from sustainably managed vineyards and fermented with natural yeasts. The resulting wine displays aromas of citrus, white flowers, and herbs, coupled with a minerality and saline character that is characteristic of the Sicilian terroir. It has a rich, full-bodied texture and a crisp acidity that balances out the wine's unique character. This wine pairs well with seafood, light pasta dishes, and fresh salads. It's a must-try for those who appreciate authentic and expressive wines.

Frescobaldi's Nipozzano Riserva Rufina Chianta is named after the Castello Nipozzano and is a delicious complex Riserva Chianti with extended aging time and made from vineyards in Rufina. Wild berries and cherry flavours are flattered by spicy undertones of pepper, nutmeg and roasted coffee. It has a silky texture and layers of depth and interest. 

San Marzano Edda Bianco Salento IGP 2021

Area: Puglia/ Apulia

Edda (‘she’ in Salento dialect) is the feminine and sensual soul of San Marzano. It is a complex white wine, full of Mediterranean notes. Noticeable acidity intertwined with an enveloping and elegant warmth, savoury and mineral notes on the palate. The Chardonnay grapes give the wine finesse and longevity, together with different varieties indigenous to Puglia, that year after year compete to complement the blend.

Grapes: Mainly Chardonnay with white native grapes

Appellation: Salento IGP

Vine training: Guyot Vines per ha: 4.500

Production area: San Marzano (TA), Salento, Puglia. The area is about 100 m above sea level and benefits from great diurnal temperature variations

Vinification: Destemming of the grapes and cryomaceration for a few hours, followed by a soft pressing of the marc and cold settling. Alcoholic fermentation in French oak barrels

Ageing: In French oak barrels for 4 months on the yeasts with a weekly bâtonnage

Tasting notes: Straw yellow with goldish reflections; mellow floral notes, peach and delicate vanilla hints pervade the nose. Generous in its elegance, fresh, delicate and mineral

Best served with: Starters, fish first courses and cheese Serving temperature: 12-14°C

This is a great red to drink on a cool night with its dense, dark and delicious flavours, thanks to the hot climate it comes from in Salento in the region of Puglia in southern Italy. This wine is made from Italy's Negroamaro grape, which is widely planted there around the warm southern Mediterranean.

It tastes full bodied, smooth as velvet and tastes of plush plum flavours, sweet licorice and has a dry finish.