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There are wines that possess that unmistakable clarity that summarises the terroir in a nutshell. The classic Barbaresco from Fontanabianca is one such wine – composed from various parcels around Neive, vinified with the precision that Matteo Pola has made the philosophy of the house in the third generation. Where the single vineyards Bordini and Serraboella express the specific characteristics of their crus, this Barbaresco paints the bigger picture: 5.5 hectares on the typical limestone-clay soils of the municipality, 300 metres above sea level, where Nebbiolo has been developing the elegance that Neive stands for in the world of Barbaresco for generations.

Rossofonte impressively bridges the gap between Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello. Only 6,000 bottles of this selection are produced from the estate's best Rosso vineyards at an altitude of around 300 metres above sea level. Fruity aromas of ripe berries with balsamic notes on the nose, plus some brown spices, tobacco and wet stone. Overall, a multi-layered potpourri full of harmony flows from the glass. On the palate, it is very balanced, velvety-soft and the cooling acidity caresses the dark berries, which are rounded off with dried citrus fruits and a hint of mocha. The spicy and very elegant finish is reminiscent of star anise and pink pepper. SUPERIORE.DE

On the gently rolling slopes of Monte Quarin, in the heart of the Collio Goriziano, lies the small domain of the Raccaro family. Since 1928, they have been cultivating their seven hectares with the quiet perseverance that characterises true craftsmanship. Dario Raccaro is recognised by connoisseurs as one of the "great silents" of the Collio – his wines have a powerful essentiality that lingers on. His Collio Bianco combines Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia Istriana to create a cuvée that speaks unmistakably of the terroir of the Ponca soils. Gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation at 18 degrees, six months of maturation in stainless steel – a vinification that favours clarity.

The porphyry-rich steep slopes on the Ritten above Bolzano offer first-class conditions for producing a Sauvignon Bianco with unique fruit, minerality, elegance and depth. Straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Precise fruity flavours of gooseberry, elderflower, herbs, yeast and a fine woody note. Harmonious flavour with very well-integrated acidity, an accentuated body and an elegant mineral note. Long and deep on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Perfection is created when grape variety, terroir and microclimate form a perfect symbiosis. Thalman embodies this philosophy to perfection. This exceptional Pinot Nero comes from carefully selected vineyards on the Ritten and in Leitach between 500 and 750 metres above sea level, where warm, well-ventilated hills and volcanic porphyry soils create ideal conditions. The centuries-old Burgundy tradition finds its South Tyrolean interpretation here through a vinification process that combines respect for the grape variety with state-of-the-art cellar technology.

The steep porphyry slopes at an altitude of up to 650 metres on the Ritten above Bolzano offer ideal conditions for vinifying this powerful yet elegant Chardonnay with outstanding balance, well-integrated acidity and excellent ageing potential. Straw yellow in colour with greenish inclusions. Pure exotic flavours of pineapple, mango and white peach on the nose, underpinned by a delicate vanilla note. Powerful on the palate, the well-integrated acidity keeps it fresh and mineral despite its power and complexity, right through to an almost infinitely long finish. A great Chardonnay from South Tyrol! SUPERIORE.DE

A great Trebbiano with high standards: this Superiore from the traditional Castello di Semivicoli winery combines freshness with a fine texture and surprising depth. The 2020 vintage shines with its ideal ripening process: cool nights, warm days - excellent conditions for structure and aromatic clarity. After organic manual harvesting, the wine fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks, followed by several months of ageing on the fine lees to better integrate the flavours. No ageing in wood!

Vigna Andrea is the centrepiece of Clelia Romano's oeuvre – a single-vineyard Taurasi, grown at an altitude of 500 metres on calcareous and clayey soils near Lapio. In a vintage like 2019, which brought cool nights and long growing seasons, this wine shows all its aristocratic depth. The Aglianico is rigorously selected, partially destemmed, fermented in steel and then matured for at least 24 months in French barriques before a long maturation in the bottle.

The name Iskra comes from the Slavic language and means "spark". The name emphasises the uniqueness of a pair of wines that are able to seduce from the very first glass. Both Iskra wines have one characteristic in common: they have a great personality and their grapes each come from a single vineyard. With grapes typical of central Italy - Malvasia and Montepulciano from two of Abruzzo's favourite terroirs, Colline Teramane and Colline Pescaresi - both wines stand for their clear identity and origin.

I Giganti Rosso Tharros consists almost exclusively of Nieddera, an indigenous, little-known grape variety from the Sinis region. The grapes ripen on soils rich in limestone and clay, influenced by the sea breeze and intense sunshine. Careful hand-picking is followed by intensive maceration over 8-10 days, followed by 12 months of ageing in barriques and tonneaux – a combination that gives both depth and elegance. In the glass, it has a deep ruby red colour with lively reflections. The nose is characterised by ripe plum, black cherry and a hint of balsamic herbs, complemented by liquorice and a floral spice. Full-bodied and supple on the palate: seductive fruit meets fine tannins and a clear structure. The texture is velvety, the freshness noticeable and the finish long, mineral and spicy – almost cool in its after-effect.

Chiaro di Bolle epitomises Il Borro's bold answer to the question of what Sangiovese is capable of as a sparkling wine – a Tuscan Metodo Classico that redefines the traditional boundaries of the grape variety. As a Blanc de Noir made from 100% Sangiovese, this exceptional sparkling wine fits perfectly into the winery's many years of experimentation with the queen of Tuscan grape varieties and impressively demonstrates the versatility of this terroir-influenced Sangiovese. Vinified according to the classic metodo tradizionale, Chiaro di Bolle undergoes traditional bottle fermentation, which gives Sangiovese a completely new dimension. The organically farmed grapes from Valdarno di Sopra bring their characteristic minerality and freshness, while the careful cellar work transforms the natural elegance of the grape variety into a sparkling lightness.

This wonderful Barbera comes from old vines from the lower plots of the top vineyards Mosconi (approx. 55-year-old vines) and Gabutti and Ravera (each approx. 15 years old) in Monforte and Serralunga d'Alba. The terroir mix of calcareous clay soils forms a wine of lively minerality and elegant balance. The bouquet is aromatically rich and clear at the same time: fresh mulberry, sweet plum, violet and hints of sweet herbs spread across the palate. The pure fruit is refined by subtly integrated wood notes – matured for around 12 months in used barriques – as stipulated by the "Superiore" rules.

Bright ruby colour with purple reflections. The vintage reveals a fresh yet concentrated bouquet: juicy cherries, red plums, violet blossom and a hint of freshly crushed almonds. On the palate, it is firmer than the basic Dolcetto, with concise fruit, clear, present acidity and a dense, fine tannin that gives it exceptional balance. The Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba site is unmistakably characterised by its mineral backbone and noble texture – a serious Dolcetto that brings its terroir to the glass with aplomb and can develop over the years. SUPERIORE.DE

Good, full red colour. Captivating aromas and flavours of ripe red cherry, spicy herbs and blackcurrant jelly are interwoven with bright liquorice and blood orange nuances. An exceptional Rosso that combines richness and vibrancy in a remarkably harmonious way. Closes creamy yet refined. Wow, this is more than the little brother of Brunello di Montalcino! SUPERIORE.DE

Just like its equally famous neighbour Fattoria Petrolo (with its Boggina A), Il Borro can also convince us with a red wine aged in amphorae. Petruna is a single-varietal Sangiovese that is fermented with 12 months of skin contact in hermetically sealed amphorae. The result is surprising, not in the sense of an "interesting" experimental wine, but because the typical character of Sangiovese is fully expressed in freshness, fruit and energy. The bouquet is dominated by cherry and small red berries, plus some orange zest. Its body is of medium weight, which makes it an excellent food companion. Its fresh acidity and a tangle of fine tannins increase the drinking pleasure enormously. We can say that the experiment was successful in an elegant way. SUPERIORE.DE

Beautiful Malvasia with a lot of varietal expression and an impressive potpourri of flavours. Jasmine, pear and white peach develop in the glass, with hints of passion fruit, spices and lime on the palate. Soft texture, very good structure and a complexity that opens up new facets with every sip. The finish is deep and long and, as always, the long yeast ageing time ensures promising ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Chiarandà is Donnafugata's great white solitaire, a Sicilian Chardonnay with an unmistakable format and clear terroir profile. The grapes come from selected plots around Contessa Entellina, at an altitude of around 350 to 400 metres. The Mediterranean climate is characterised by hot days and cool nights, while the clay and limestone soils offer the best conditions for ripeness with structure. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand, selectively and early in the morning. One part of the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks, the other in French oak, where malolactic fermentation also takes place. The assemblage is followed by extended bottle ageing of at least two years – careful ageing with a view to longevity.

Bright ruby red in colour with a slight garnet hue – a lively start to this elegant Nebbiolo from the breathtaking vineyards of Ravera near Monforte d'Alba at an altitude of around 400 metres. The vines are around 15 years old and are deeply rooted in chalky clay soil, which gives the wine its characteristic freshness and precision. After manual harvesting and gentle fermentation in stainless steel, the wine matures for around 14 months in used French barriques before being bottled.

The grapes for "del Fondatore" are harvested from historic Apulian Alberello vineyards in the Cellino San Marco region, which were planted in 1968 and are personally tended by President Angelo Maci. The carefully selected Primitivo and Aglianico grapes are harvested by hand in crates. Some of the grapes are dried in a well-ventilated drying room, and the high concentration of juice inside the grapes gives it extra body and an excellent structure. This exceptional wine, whose labels are numbered consecutively, matures for 9 months in new barriques and is further refined before being released in the bottle.

Beautiful Malvasia with a lot of varietal expression and an impressive potpourri of flavours. Jasmine, pear and white peach develop in the glass, with hints of passion fruit, spices and lime on the palate. Soft texture, very good structure and a complexity that opens up new facets with every sip. The finish is deep and long and, as always, the long yeast ageing time ensures promising ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep ruby red colour, lush notes of cherries, strawberries and sweet oak spice, vanilla and black pepper. The Sangiovese gives the blend great freshness and is in perfect balance with the silky and soft tannins of the Merlot. Overall rich, but always elegant and with great persistence. A complex, excellently structured red of absolute Supertuscan quality. SUPERIORE.DE

Laura Brunelli's Rosso is a blend of Sangiovese grapes from Podernovone - 500 metres above sea level on the south-eastern slope of Montalcino with a south-western exposure - and Canalicchio on the northern side of the village. The vines for the first vineyard were planted in 1998, those for the second in 1989. "Our Rosso is made from the same grapes as the Brunello," says Laura Brunelli. The wine is traditionally aged for a year in large oak barrels. It is extremely fresh every year and not without complexity. The aromas of redcurrants, wild strawberries, black pepper and juniper are followed by a bright bouquet of red fruits on the medium-bodied palate. It has velvety tannins and a refreshing, integrated acidity. A really great interpretation of the terroir and, as every year, a little Brunello. SUPERIORE.DE