Italian red wine

The country dance (controdanza) is a typical dance in which man and woman face each other and unite in graceful movements - depending on their gender, the dancers interpret the music in their own way. This wine is exactly the same: Nero d'Aola and Merlot - opposites attract and, with the right sensitivity, can harmonise and contrast wonderfully.

In the Middle Ages, it was a monk from Montepulciano Abbey who was the first to write down how to make wine from the local grapes. Sabatino Lulli, known as Sabazio, did not leave behind any great works – just a few lines about the local varieties and their processing. La Braccesca has given its name to a wine that reflects this modesty: direct, fresh and straightforward. The Marchesi Antinori estate extends over 500 hectares on the border between the Val di Chiana and the hills of Montepulciano, at an altitude of around 280 metres. 85 per cent Prugnolo Gentile – the local Sangiovese clone that gives the Rosso di Montepulciano its characteristic freshness and fruitiness – supplemented by 15 per cent Merlot, which contributes body and softness. The two varieties are harvested separately: the Merlot in mid-September and the Prugnolo Gentile a month later. Separate fermentation in steel, short malolactic fermentation in large barrels, then four months of ageing. Fresh, light, without a hint of wood.

This traditional cuvée is already inspiring in its youth. Made from outstanding grapes, you can taste the ripe fruit and richness of the three classic vineyards. Deep ruby-garnet colour with violet reflections. Full-bodied bouquet of dusty violets and roses, which fades into spiced confectionery and crushed cherries. The palate reveals fresh cherries, mixed herbs and undergrowth - all well balanced - giving the wine a lightness and at the same time a complexity that keeps you coming back for more. SUPERIORE.DE

A classic from the foot of Mount Vesuvius – deeply rooted in myth and minerality. The Lacryma Christi Rosso is ruby red in the glass with light violet reflections. Black cherry, plum, violet and a hint of smoke on the nose – typical of the volcanic soils of Vesuvius. Juicy on the palate, with lively fruit, present acidity and fine-grained tannins. The ageing in stainless steel tanks preserves the primary aromas of the Piedirosso and emphasises its authentic origin. A youthful, characterful wine with a regional soul: uncomplicated, but never trivial. Perfect with grilled meat, pasta al ragù or pizza from the wood-fired oven. SUPERIORE.DE

A wine like a little declaration of love to Sardinia: Maluentu is made from the rare Nieddera grape variety, which is only cultivated around Oristano in the west of the island. The vines grow on sandy alluvial soil near the coast, ventilated by the steady mistral. The ageing process is deliberately purist: exclusively in stainless steel and then a few months in the bottle – in favour of freshness and authenticity.

A wine that tells in every facet where it comes from – that is Contado Riserva. Made from 100% Aglianico from organically farmed slopes of the Ramitello vineyard in Molise (Contrada Camarda), it shows the potential of this robust grape variety and the special region. The soil is calcareous with clay and sand, giving the wine mineral depth and vigour. The late harvest is followed by a long maceration period, after which the wine matures for a total of around three years: partly in barriques and tonneaux, partly in stainless steel tanks, and finally with extended bottle ageing. This careful ageing philosophy gives the wine complexity, elegance and a fine power of integration in every vintage.

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.

Since the 2021 vintage, the grapes for this classic wine have been sourced exclusively from the hills of the Valpolicella core zone of Valpantena: fresh flowers, sweet red berries, mint and a hint of cinnamon escape from the glass. Absolutely delicious and vinous on the palate, the style is exuberant and cheerful. Valpolicella could only be so delicate, fresh and precise. SUPERIORE.DE

This Sangiovese expression full of character, which bears the authentic face of Chianti Classico, comes from the privileged vineyards around Castellina in Chianti. The Zingarelli family, who have been dedicated to this exceptional terroir for five decades, rely on hand-picked grapes, predominantly Sangiovese with a subtle proportion of Merlot, for their classic wine. Lively ruby red in the glass with a youthful brilliance. The intense bouquet develops ripe aromas of raspberries and wild strawberries, accompanied by notes of violets and an elegant spiciness with subtle nuances of wood. On the palate, the wine is balanced, structured and warm, with a silky body and fine, never intrusive tannins. The lively freshness harmonises perfectly with the fruity concentration and leads to a lingering aromatic finish. A Chianti Classico that masterfully combines tradition and modernity and expresses the typicality of its origin with youthful purity. SUPERIORE.DE

Since 1897, Nino Negri has been the house that represents Valtellina to the outside world – and the Quadrio is one of its most reliable ambassadors. The name refers to the 15th century Castello Quadrio di Chiuro, the ancestral seat of the winery, named after Stefano Quadrio, once governor of Valtellina. Today, cellar master Danilo Drocco, a Nebbiolo purist from Alba, manages the winemaking process with a Piedmontese view of the Alps – and brings precisely this tension to the wine. Quadrio is a cuvée made from 90% Chiavennasca – the local name for Nebbiolo – and 10% Merlot, whose terraced fruit gently balances out the alpine austerity. The grapes come from south to south-east exposed steep slopes at 350–500 metres, on sandy limestone soils behind dry stone walls, harvested by hand as they have always been. Maceration in steel for ten days, followed by 18 months in large Slavonian and French oak barrels.

Steep slopes, barren limestone, untamed nature – the Monti Garbi above Mezzane di Sotto are not pleasing wine country. When the Castagnedi brothers opened up these rugged heights in 1989, people in eastern Valpolicella were still focussing on quantity. They focussed on character. The grapes are harvested by hand and gently pressed. In October, the young wine undergoes its second birth: re-fermentation on the pomace of the estate's own Amarone – ripasso in the original sense. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in Liters tonneaux lend depth without heaviness. Ruby red in colour, juicy and enveloping, infused with a spicy freshness that owes its signature to the chalky white skeletal soils. Great value! SUPERIORE.DE

Feudi di San Gregorio is an institution in Campania – greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino and Taurasi have made the winery from Sorbo Serpico famous. However, the Campanians have also been exploring other terroirs in southern Italy for years: in Apulia, not far from the Ionian Sea, they cultivate Primitivo vineyards, whose grapes produce an uncomplicated, authentic red wine. No big prestige line, but solid craftsmanship from one of the most traditional Primitivo regions in Italy. The vinification follows a straightforward concept: the grapes are carefully selected and fermented in stainless steel at a controlled temperature. The wine matures for several months in steel, without contact with wood, in order to preserve the fruity clarity of the grape variety. The result is an accessible Primitivo without baroque opulence – feudi di San Gregorio focusses on drinking pleasure rather than extract power.

Rubrato is the youthful expression of Aglianico – powerful but not overloaded, typical and yet accessible. The grapes come from the higher parcels of Irpinia with volcanic soils. Maturation in stainless steel tanks preserves freshness and varietal purity. Rich ruby red colour in the glass. The aroma opens with ripe cherries, dark wild berries, some violets and a hint of graphite. The wine is lively on the palate, with juicy fruit, fine acidity and moderate tannins – clearly structured, but with plenty of drinkability. Rubrato has elegance and balance in every vintage, it is a stylish introduction to the world of Aglianico that goes perfectly with pasta with sugo, grilled meat or mature cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

A pure Frappato is a rarity, as this very late-ripening grape variety is usually blended with others. Frappato thrives on the sandy soils of Vittoria in south-east Sicily and produces a complex wine with race and character. A floral bouquet with aromas of cherry and peach, notes of strawberry on the palate, slightly mineral and very energetic, with a finish reminiscent of apple and orange peel. Ideal food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

A Nero d'Avola with soft tannins and ripe fruit, named after the pale purple plumbago that blooms in the vineyards around the Ulmo winery. Plumbago comes from loamy soils near Lago Arancio, characterised by the warm microclimate of western Sicily. The wine is matured for 10 months in large wood, which gives it a gentle structure and a finely interwoven flavour. Rich ruby red colour with a purple core in the glass. Black cherry, blackberry, dark plum and a hint of liquorice on the nose, underpinned by cedar and cocoa. Velvety and accessible on the palate, with ripe berry fruit, supple acidity and rounded tannins. An expressive, modern Nero d'Avola with a clear signature and Mediterranean soul – powerful, but not heavy. Versatile with game birds, aubergines alla parmigiana or spicy hard cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

This traditional cuvée is already inspiring in its youth. Made from outstanding grapes, you can taste the ripe fruit and richness of the three classic vineyards. Deep ruby-garnet colour with violet reflections. Full-bodied bouquet of dusty violets and roses, which fades into spiced confectionery and crushed cherries. The palate reveals fresh cherries, mixed herbs and undergrowth - all well balanced - giving the wine a lightness and at the same time a complexity that keeps you coming back for more. SUPERIORE.DE

Frappato and Nero d'Avola in organic quality, carefully vinified and matured in stainless steel: Planeta's Cerasuolo di Vittoria comes from the calcareous clay soils near Dorilli in the province of Ragusa – the historic heartland of Sicily's only DOCG. Medium ruby red in the glass with a transparent centre. The nose is open and charming, with juicy sour cherry, red plums, rosehip and a hint of pepper, underpinned by floral notes and fine Mediterranean spice. On the palate, the wine is elegant and supple, with ripe fruit, gentle tannins and a well-integrated freshness that gives the cuvée an almost dancing balance. Not a loud performance, but a stylish homage to the area of origin of Cerasuolo, vinified with sensitivity and respect for tradition. Ideal with braised vegetables, polpette or Sicilian caponata. SUPERIORE.DE

An Aglianico with character and origin: "Cappellaccio" comes from calcareous soils at an altitude of around 300 metres, near the Castello di Federico II - the namesake of the DOC. The 2018 vintage was balanced and allowed for a late, selective harvest. Ageing in barriques and large wooden barrels for 12 months gives the wine structure and maturity. Dense ruby colour with a garnet-red rim in the glass. Black cherry, dried plum, liquorice, balsamic herbs and a hint of tobacco on the nose. Concentrated on the palate, with pithy tannins, dark spice and mineral freshness. A powerful yet surprisingly precise Aglianico from the chalky slopes of northern Murgia - a masculine wine with depth and potential.

Barbera with origin and attitude: La Villa has been Olim Bauda's favourite wine for decades – not because it is particularly loud, but because it seems so natural. No barrique, no spectacle, but plenty of character. The secret lies in the balance: fruit and freshness, elegance and energy – everything is there, nothing imposes itself. Bright ruby in the glass with a youthful violet colour. The bouquet plays on the fresh side: sour cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, a hint of violet and a delicate mineral note. On the palate, the typical tension of Asti-Barbera – juicy, clearly contoured, with supple tannins and fine length. A wonderfully authentic wine that breathes the soul of Piedmont – spontaneous, lively, unaffected. If you want to understand the essence of this grape variety, this is the perfect wine for every day. SUPERIORE.DE