Formats

This still Muscat, which was conceived as the "little brother" of Torcolato and Acininobili, is a masterpiece and proves once again that Fausto Maculan is one of the world's best producers of dessert wines. Dindarello enchants with a marvellous blend of peach sorbet, kiwi and fresh mint. These aromas accompany the wonderfully full flavour right through to the finish. Its perfect balance between sweetness and acidity will ennoble any meal. SUPERIORE.DE

As a gateway to the world of Vino Nobile, Federico Carletti’s Rosso reveals its full directness without any false modesty. Eighty per cent Sangiovese – known in the region as Prugnolo Gentile – is blended with 20 per cent Merlot to create a cuvée that unfiltered expresses the character of the galestro-rich clay soils. This organically produced blend is aged only briefly in historic barriques, allowing the youthful freshness of the Sangiovese grape to take centre stage.

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.

Garofoli has been known for decades for its excellent sparkling wines. Here comes the new Rosé Frizzante made from 100% Montepulciano using the classic pet-nat method (Metodo Ancestrale), which is harvested in the last half of August and whose carbon dioxide is created almost unplanned by the almost complete fermentation of the sugar in the bottle. Bright salmon pink, floral, red berry notes, beautiful freshness, delicate mousseux and a fine yeast note on the final. Unfiltered. SUPERIORE.DE

Ribelle – rebel. At La Monacesca, where Verdicchio traditionally matures for a long time, this wine is a deliberate break with the rules: harvested in its youth, vinified for freshness, released before time takes the corners off it. Only stainless steel, no rush, but also no waiting for a certain patina. The result is crisp, lively, light-hearted – a Verdicchio for the moment. Green apple, citrus, a hint of almond on the finish. Not a wine for the cellar, but for the summer: aperitivo, crudo, seafood. The monks who settled here a thousand years ago probably didn't know such lightness. But they would certainly have liked it. SUPERIORE.DE

At a time when South Tyrol was regarded as a red wine region right up until the 1970s, Vernatsch played the leading role. An indigenous grape variety that is now enjoying a masterful renaissance under the guidance of Alois Lageder. This characterful red wine comes from selected vineyards in Kaltern and Kurtatsch, situated at altitudes of between 300 and 400 metres, with the grapes sourced from organically farmed vineyard plots. The year 2024 marks a historic milestone: for the first time, all 60 of the estate's partner winegrowers are working organically or biodynamically. A triumph for sustainable practices, despite the challenging, rainy growing season. The traditional pergola training system, which provides optimal conditions for the shade-loving vines, still characterises the vineyards on the gravelly, limestone-rich soils today.

Pale straw yellow with greenish reflections, clear and brilliant in the glass. Seductive on the nose with notes of white peach, citrus zest, lime blossom and a hint of almond. Fresh and juicy on the palate, carried by lively, finely balanced acidity and a delicate, creamy texture. The clay-rich soils lend the wine a fine salty trace that harmoniously complements the fruity core. Long, mineral finish with plenty of drinkability. A Lugana that effortlessly combines crisp freshness, elegance and regional authenticity. SUPERIORE.DE

Mamaioa (Sardinian for "ladybird") is not just a label for Contini, but a symbol of biodiversity and a sensitive understanding of wine. This Vermentino shows how modern and close to nature Sardinia's white wine culture can be, while remaining clear, fresh and convincing. Mamaioa comes from organically cultivated vineyards around Cabras – not far from the salty breeze of the Tyrrhenian Sea and on sandy soils with ancient marine sediment. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and varietal profile.

Bisci not only produces excellent Verdicchio, but also very appealing Rosso, which is now made from 100% Merlot. With the best value wine in the Marche winery's range, it has achieved a great success: Fascinating aromas of red berries, precious wood and herbs, with a subtle, smoky component in the background. Precise and taut on the palate, with a wonderful primary fruity core, framed by liquorice and a dried bouquet of Mediterranean herbs. A warm red for the unusual days of the week. SUPERIORE.DE

Plumbago is the name of the wild plant with violet flowers that grows in the woods surrounding the Baglio and the vineyards of Ulmo, the Planeta family’s ancestral estate in Menfi. Its name says it all: in Latin, ‘plumbago’ means ‘ever-blue’ – the colour of its flowers, dark and velvety like the wine to which it lends its name. The vines are planted on old plots around Lago Arancio – in the Belice Valley, whose proximity gives the vineyard a more balanced microclimate: milder temperatures, more humidity at night, and a ripening process that brings out the soft, fruity character of the Nero d’Avola rather than its power. Hand-harvested, stainless steel, 10 months in French oak barrels – measured and precise.

Antonio Moretti Cuseri had known the Maremma since childhood, from holidays and fishing trips. Around the turn of the millennium, he established his estate near Magliano in Toscana, which features the rosette from the capital of the nearby Abbey of San Bruzio as its logo. The Sangiovese grapes grow here on the first row of hills overlooking the sea, on stony soils, with a breeze that sweeps through the rows in the mornings and evenings. After 15 days of fermentation on the skins, the wine matures for seven months in stainless-steel tanks, followed by two to three months of bottle ageing.

Between Bolgheri and Scansano, on the hills of Gavorrano in the central Maremma, two worlds came together: Paolo Panerai of Castellare di Castellina and Baron Eric de Rothschild of Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite. The first Italian-French joint venture in viticulture was born – and with it, on the estate's highest hill, a cellar designed by Renzo Piano. The only one of its kind. Beneath it, carved 50 metres into the rock, lie up to 2,000 barriques. On the hill: Etruscan artefacts proving that wine has been made here for 3,000 years.

Caricagiola is a red grape variety grown primarily in Sardinia and Corsica. It is particularly widespread in the Sardinian region of Gallura, where it thrives in the region's unique climatic and soil conditions. However, its close resemblance to the black Vermentino Nero grape suggests that it may also originate from Liguria. Another theory regarding its origins links it to the southern Portuguese grape variety Mourvèdre Nero, or Bonvendro, which was formerly considered a specific biotype of the Mourvèdre variety common in southern France and Spain.

A Cabernet with a Friulian signature: This elegant red wine is made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc and matured entirely in stainless steel tanks – without any wood. It thus retains clear fruit, freshness and varietal typicity in the highest purity. The 2024 vintage developed under typical Colli Orientali conditions: warm days, cool nights and well-ventilated slopes ensured clean, expressive grapes. An intense ruby red colour in the glass. The nose opens with aromas of cassis, blackberry, a hint of green pepper and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, this Cabernet is structured, with precise fruit, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. An authentic representative of the grape variety that combines fresh clarity and strength of character. SUPERIORE.DE

Rosé di Morgante is made exclusively from Nero d'Avola grapes and comes from the higher-altitude vineyards around Grotte, near Agrigento. The sparse, limestone-rich soils lend it freshness and structure, whilst the sunny yet well-ventilated microclimate ensures optimal aroma development. Ageing in stainless steel preserves the fruit and precision. In the glass, it displays a delicate salmon-pink colour with coppery glints. On the nose, redcurrant, rosehip, a hint of blood orange and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is lively, with vibrant acidity, elegant fruit and a salty, mineral undertone. Dry, crisp and very well-balanced, with a fine finish.

Pure Merlot from the gentle slopes around the village of Togliano – powerful, but not heavy, and deliberately vinified without ageing in wood. The ageing in stainless steel and glass fermentation tanks allows the grape variety to appear with undisguised clarity: dark fruit, animating freshness and finely structured tannins. Rich ruby red in the glass with violet reflections. The aroma is intense and typical of the variety: black cherry, plum, some herbal spice and a hint of violet. Juicy on the palate, with a smooth flow, lively fruit and a noticeable but well-integrated structure. A balanced and straightforward Merlot with a regional profile. SUPERIORE.DE

Volpe Pasini's Chardonnay has a clear focus: straightforward, juicy, completely focussed on freshness and varietal typicity. The nose is characterised by notes of green banana, white peach, citrus zest and a hint of white flowers – not a loud appearance, but a subtle interplay of nuances. On the palate, the wine is taut and animating, with a subtle creaminess, lively acidity and a pleasantly dry finish. No wood, no exaggeration, but a Chardonnay that favours lightness and elegance and is therefore pleasantly out of the ordinary. International format meets regional signature. SUPERIORE.DE

Emilio Rotolo's Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso draws you into the glass with its deep, peppery black raspberry flavours, complemented by pretty violet and lavender tones. Wrapping the palate in a cloak of dark, ripe, textured fruit, it is incredibly elegant and polished, but also tangy. A layer of sweet tannins frames the expression and caresses the cheeks, while citrus fruit and a hint of spice linger. This is a very nice wine that will benefit from a slight chill. SUPERIORE.DE

A Nero d'Avola with southern warmth and subtle depth: Gazzerotta displays a distinct presence and elegant character. The wine comes from sunny vineyards around Mazara del Vallo, characterised by clayey and calcareous soil, which lends it juicy fruit and earthy minerality. Intense ruby red. The aromas interweave ripe berries, cherry and plum with a seductive hint of spice, tempered by floral notes of violet and a touch of honey. Soft, warm and round on the palate. Well-balanced tannins, juicy fruit and a lingering, spicy finish round off the profile. Medium-bodied and well-balanced, ideal with pasta al forno or spicy ragouts. SUPERIORE.DE

Svelato means unveiled – the veil pulled away. The name of the most famous Falanghina from the Sannio resonates with the legend: Guardia Sanframondi, the "bewitched land" on the Matese mountains, home of the witches of Benevento and, since 1898, of the Iacobucci family. Filomena and Carlo rebuilt the business in 2004 – and the Svelato quickly became an ambassador. Hand-picked, whole bunch pressing, ageing in steel on the fine lees.

A Ribolla Gialla that knows exactly what it wants: freshness, tension and the expression of one of Friuli's most traditional white wine terroirs. Pale straw yellow in the glass with greenish reflections. A cool, clear aroma of lemon peel, white flowers, green apple and a hint of lime honey. No excess, but controlled precision. The acidity is lively, the texture slightly creamy, the finish characterised by citrus, fine herbal notes and an almost salty touch. A very characterful representative of its kind. SUPERIORE.DE

A Sauvignon that clearly expresses its origin and grape variety – with freshness, vibrancy and precise fruit. Matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks, it is crystal-clear and unadulterated, entirely in keeping with the estate’s style. In the glass, it is a pale straw yellow with a greenish sheen. The nose is typical yet pleasantly nuanced: gooseberry, yellow currant and green apple, accompanied by hints of elderflower, lemon zest and a touch of mint. On the palate, it is lively and juicy, with vibrant acidity and a focused, mineral core. The fruit remains consistently on the cooler side, clearly reflecting its origins in north-eastern Friuli.