1.5 liters | Magnum

Fiumana di Predappio – sangiovese has had its home here since the Middle Ages. The estate's lowest vineyards between 80 and 150 metres provide the grapes for the Federico, named after the family's long-time employee. Fermentation and nine months of ageing take place 70% in stainless steel and 30% in oak wood – enough structure without masking the fruit. Bright ruby red colour. The nose literally leaps out of the glass: fresh cherries, raspberries, a hint of herbs and violets. Lean and juicy on the palate, with fine tannins that invite you to take another sip. A charming Sangiovese that does not make you ponder, but is a pleasure to drink – uncomplicated in the best sense of the word, certified organic and exactly what an everyday wine should be. SUPERIORE.DE

The name says it all: Badilante pays tribute to the workers who, for generations, used their spades to drain and cultivate the marshy lands of the Maremma. Simone Castelli, son of the legendary OenologistMaurizio, vinifies this single-varietal Sangiovese at the organically farmed Podere 414 vineyard near Scansano. The grapes grow at an altitude of 230 metres in loamy-clay soils with a high proportion of coarse material. Spontaneous fermentation in concrete, 15–18 days’ maceration with délestage and remontage, followed by ageing partly in concrete and partly in wood.

In the glass, Macrina glows with a clear straw-yellow colour and a subtle green sheen. The bouquet exudes enchanting notes of fresh white blossoms and green apple, underpinned by an elegant, lingering freshness. On the palate, the wine displays lively acidity, a juicy fruit structure and a distinctive mineral note that stylishly complements the floral and fruity accents. The transparent, clear ageing in stainless steel emphasises the pure expression of the grape variety and its terroir. A juicy Verdicchio with elegant finesse and a balance that makes it a pleasure to drink. SUPERIORE.DE

A new name – and a real one: Garofoli rechristened its classic with the 2023 vintage. Not out of a marketing whim, but out of conviction. Piancarda "Blu" – the blue stands for the Adriatic Sea, which can almost always be seen from Monte Conero. The vineyard is located within the Monte Conero Nature Reserve, on calcareous-clay soils that give Montepulciano the depth that makes this grape variety on the coast of central Italy so unmistakable. 100% Montepulciano. Maceration for 8 to 10 days, followed by 15 months in large wooden barrels and 6 months in the bottle.

In the glass, Macrina glows with a clear straw-yellow colour and a subtle green sheen. The bouquet exudes enchanting notes of fresh white blossoms and green apple, underpinned by an elegant, lingering freshness. On the palate, the wine displays lively acidity, a juicy fruit structure and a distinctive mineral note that stylishly complements the floral and fruity accents. The transparent, clear ageing in stainless steel emphasises the pure expression of the grape variety and its terroir. A juicy Verdicchio with elegant finesse and a balance that makes it a pleasure to drink. SUPERIORE.DE

This approachable Rosso Toscana IGT hails from the higher elevations of Chianti Classico, situated around a 10th-century Romanesque parish church. The blend, sourced from the estate's own vineyards, skilfully combines the freshness and finesse of Sangiovese with the structure and smoothness of Merlot. Following separate vinification of the grape varieties, the wine is aged for ten months in French and American oak barrels.

Orion here does not mean the constellation, but a border. The Greek "oros" means edge, dividing line – and that is exactly what this path once was: the ancient road that separated Byzantine lands from Lombard lands, today a quiet country lane right next to the Primitivo vineyards of Masseria Li Veli in Cellino San Marco. History you can feel under your feet. 100% Primitivo, harvested at the end of August, limestone-clay soils, 10 to 20 year old vines – partly Alberello, the ancient Apulian bush vine cultivation style. Fermentation in steel, six months in barrique. Roberto Cotarella holds the line.

The vines are planted where the Piedmont slopes gently at Canelli and the Barbera grape can develop its depth. The name is reminiscent of Cesare Pavese, the great son of these hills – and his most famous work "La Luna e i Falò". Like the novel, this wine also carries a quiet melancholy, paired with expression, maturity and identity. Matured in barriques and large casks for around a year, this is a Barbera full of character and at the same time modern.

In the glass, this Trebbiano displays a pale straw-yellow colour with slightly greenish highlights – a visual hint of freshness and clarity. The nose opens with green apples, citrus notes and white flowers, underpinned by a subtle hint of mineral freshness. On the palate, it is finely structured and balanced: lively acidity, delicate fruit, clear expression and a dry, slightly salty finish. Ageing in stainless steel preserves its precision and varietal character. An uncomplicated, invigorating wine with a Mediterranean character – perfect with light dishes or seafood. SUPERIORE.DE

Federico Giuntini-Antinori runs the area's most traditional estate, whose family tree can be traced back to the 15th century. Rufina is the northernmost district in Chianti, where the vineyards grow around the Villa di Selvapiana and in the vineyards of San Martino a Quona, Pian de' Marroni and Cerbognole. Mainly Sangiovese with small additions of Canaiolo, Colorino and Malvasia Nera are harvested between the end of September and the beginning of October, partly by hand. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in steel tanks at 28-30°C with a 25-day maceration period. Maturation lasts 12 months in 25-litre French oak barrels and concrete vats.

Above Bolzano, where old gravel paths wind through sun-drenched vineyards, lies the legendary Hof Huck am Bach, which lends its name to one of South Tyrol's most authentic red wines. At altitudes of between 250 and 500 metres, on mineral-rich gravel soils, the Vernatsch and Lagrein vines thrive here – vines that have formed the heart of the St. Magdalener tradition for generations. Theharvest yields grapes that mature in large oak barrels to produce a wine of enchanting elegance.

Swiss precision meets Tuscan elegance in this characterful Super Tuscan, which has embodied the Widmer family's DNA for over four decades. The name carries a dual meaning: three grape varieties and three terroirs, which Barbara Widmer blends into a harmonious cuvée with inimitable finesse. This blend, comprising 70% Sangiovese, is sourced from the vineyards of Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and the Maremma, and is refined with 15% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The continental Chianti vineyards, situated at altitudes of 230–400 metres with their soils interlaced with clay and galestro, meet the Mediterranean Maremma terroir with its sandy loam soils, which lend the wine its characteristic depth. 

In the heart of Abruzzo, where snow-capped mountains and the Adriatic Sea lie just thirty kilometres apart, lies the foundation of a small revolution: San Martino sulla Marrucina, the village where, in 1981, Gianni Masciarelli realised his dream of creating world-class wines from the indigenous grape varieties of his homeland. The "Gianni Masciarelli" wine, named after him, now embodies the vision that this charismatic pioneer developed following a formative summer in Champagne – Abruzzo wines that set international standards. The hand-picked Montepulciano grapes for this DOC classic come from the historic Cocciapazza vineyard in Loreto Aprutino, 250 metres above sea level on clay-limestone soils. Marina Cvetic, Gianni's partner in life and in wine, continued the Gianni line as a tribute to the visionary founder, who was the first to introduce the Guyot system and French barriques to Abruzzo.

Selvarossa is a tribute to the autochthonous grape varieties of Salento: the Negroamaro – "niuru maru" in the dialect, "black bitter" – has been rooted in this soil for three thousand years and provides the dark, almost black depth of colour, the solid tannins and the bitter spiciness that justify its name. The Malvasia Nera provides a counterpoint of elegance and soft, velvety fruit. Both grape varieties are cultivated using the traditional Alberello system, the archaic bush training method without wire frames, which offers the vines protection from the scorching heat and naturally limits the yield. The grapes for the Selvarossa come from the oldest, most select plots and are harvested by hand in small crates when perfectly ripe, some even slightly overripe – some even slightly overripe to maximise concentration and sugar content.

Brò is a white wine from sustainable cultivation that is hard to beat in terms of freshness, elegance and enjoyment. The grapes come from the clay and limestone soils near Fiumana di Predappio. Pale straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. On the nose, a captivating blend of crushed stones, spiced orange peel, dried apricot and peach, mixed with herbal elements. On the characterful palate, it is complex, juicy and very drinkable with its freshness and lightness. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for the Vigna Pedale come from vines that are over 30 years old. The vines are planted in a sapling system, which allows only a few grapes per vine. The harvest does not begin until mid-October, which is very unusual for this location so far south. Purple dark red colour. Spicy aroma of cherries, thyme, wild mushrooms and earth, the typical, unadulterated flavour is strong and concentrated with a subtle sweetness. This wine is already a great pleasure today, but still has potential for the coming years. SUPERIORE.DE

Verdeca is a grape variety that hardly anyone knows – and that is no coincidence. For centuries, it was used as the base material for vermouth, was rarely vinified as a single variety and was considered too unspectacular for its own bottle. Yet its history is an ancient one: Greek in origin, it probably arrived in Apulia with the first settlers and became native to the sandy limestone soils of Salento. Masseria Li Veli has given it a stage with the Askos project – and the wine critics have responded. Askos Verdeca is the only Apulian white wine ever to be honoured by Gambero Rosso with its Tre Bicchieri.

Lezér means "light", and that's exactly what it is – in the most delicate sense of the word. A pale ruby red in colour, with red berries and an interesting hint of violet on the nose. On the palate, smoky notes, freshly cut wood and a subtle creaminess. A thoroughly fresh red wine right through to the finish, which is perfect when served slightly chilled during the warmer months and pairs beautifully with simple Mediterranean cuisine. Maturation in a variety of vessels, such as amphorae, concrete tanks and wooden barrels, lends it an extra charm and an unmistakable character. SUPERIORE.DE