Vintage 2024

At the heart of the north-eastern Etna amphitheatre, where Silvia Maestrelli's vision turned to stone, lies Fessina: a name that sounds like a whisper through the volcanic winds. Here, in the Frazione Rovittello of Castiglione di Sicilia, between two ancient lava flows from 1809 and 1911, a dream came true in 2007. Silvia, the pioneer – a Tuscan with a Milanese soul and a Sicilian heart – was the first woman on the volcano to recognise the extraordinary potential of this difficult, masculine earth. With the tenacity of a visionary and the sensitivity of a "female oenological vision", she created a refuge of excellence after long negotiations with the countless owners of the fragmented plots.

When the morning dew moistens the young Vermentino vines in Gallura, the inspiration for Lintóri – sardinian for "Rugiada del mattino". Since 2010, the traditional Capichera winery has been vinifying this deliberately freshest expression of its Vermentino portfolio from the youngest vineyards between Arzachena, Olbia and Palau. Where ancient granite formations meet sea breezes, the 100% Vermentino thrives on sandy, stony soils of volcanic origin. The hand-picked grapes from the late August harvest are matured in stainless steel to preserve their crystalline minerality.

Between the lava flows of Rovittello, a wine is created that reveals the delicate side of the volcano. Erse Rosato, made predominantly from Nerello Cappuccio and a smaller proportion of Nerello Mascalese from the only hectare of vineyards exposed to the north-east at an altitude of 700 metres. Here, where the morning breeze blows up from the Alcantara Valley and the afternoon heat is kept at bay by the ancient sciare, a rosato of exceptional personality develops. The two Nerello varieties are vinified separately with a cold maceration of 12 hours at 12-14°C to gently extract colour and aromas before being combined for alcoholic fermentation and subsequent refinement in stainless steel tanks.

Pinot Grigio is sometimes mass-produced in northern Italy. Millions of bottles, pale style, interchangeable. And then there is the Cantina Terlan, alongside a few other serious winegrowers. At 270 to 350 metres, on the gently sloping porphyry slopes around Terlan, the Ruländer – as its old, more appropriate name – tells a different story. Hand-picked, gentle pressing, slow fermentation in steel, 5–7 months on the fine lees: a vinification that gives the grape variety room to show itself.

Novaserra Greco di Tufo is the most famous white wine icon from Mastroberardino – a prime example of the depth and elegance that this grape variety can achieve. The grapes come from the best vineyards around Tufo, where calcareous and sulphurous soils give the wine its distinctive mineral signature. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with golden reflections. The nose seduces with yellow plum, candied lemon, ripe pear, lime blossom and a hint of flint. Dense and harmonious on the palate, with ripe fruit, fine herbal spice and a salty vein. A Greco di Tufo of calibre every year – powerful, elegant and clear in its terroir expression. SUPERIORE.DE

Goldmuskateller is one of the oldest grape varieties in South Tyrol, which until a few years ago was still considered moody and demanding. Manincor shows what this diva can become when given the right sites: Mareit Leiten at 350 metres, extremely steeply exposed to the south with warm gravel soils and moraine deposits. In addition, Vogelleiten and Panholzer with loamy limestone gravel soil – sites where the exuberant growth of the Muscat is tamed and reaches perfect ripeness. The destemmed berries macerate in the press for twelve hours to extract flavour and structure from the skins. Fermentation takes place in wooden barrels and steel tanks, mostly spontaneously with wild yeasts. During the five-month maturation on the fine lees, the aroma and flavour are refined – the wine develops the balance between fruit and minerality that characterises dry Muscat.

An exceptionally characterful and powerful Cerasuolo di Vittoria made from equal parts Frappato and Nero d'Avola. On the nose, it displays a pure bouquet of sweet violets, black cherries and hints of wet stone. It impresses with its silky texture, enveloping the palate with bright red and blue fruits, along with a refreshing wave of juicy acidity. Hints of spiced orange and inner flowers linger long into the well-structured, long final. Perfect at the table. SUPERIORE.DE

Fruity, floral and delicately spicy nuances on the nose. Fresh texture on the palate, pleasant red berry flavour with notes of grapefruit and blood orange. A drinking pleasure full of character. SUPERIORE.DE

The Rosato from the Alta Mora line comes from old Nerello Mascalese vines on slopes between 600 and 800 metres above sea level on the northern flanks of Mount Etna. The barren, volcanic soils, characterised by lava rock and mineral ash, give the wine a tension typical of its origin and a fine, salty depth. The grapes are harvested early and pressed directly to preserve freshness and finesse. The wine is matured exclusively in stainless steel.

Luigi Maffini's Kràtos is an organic wine grown in the foothills of the ancient ruins of Paestum. It spends only a short time in steel tanks and is smoky but also fruit-driven, with musky dried apricots, lime zest, crushed rocks and sea spray forming its captivating bouquet. Energetic on the palate, soft in texture and packed with zesty citrus and mineral notes balanced by a core of vibrant, ripe yellow apples. Finishes fresh and bold with notes of lemon oil and peach. For an "entry-level" Fiano, this is great cinema! SUPERIORE.DE

Don't be surprised: This expressive, fresh red could also be a rosé. This serious fun-maker is a wonderfully refreshing yet extremely flavoursome Nebbiolo with an expressive bouquet of crushed raspberries and strawberries, making it an ideal food companion or "just" spring or summer wine that can easily be enjoyed on its own. Very electrifying and a real pleasure to drink! SUPERIORE.DE

Straw yellow with a greenish tinge. Made from 100% Cortese from selected, hilly parcels in the Gavi region – fermented cool and matured on fine lees in stainless steel to preserve freshness and finesse. Clear citrus notes, white peach and pear on the nose, with a hint of blossom and delicate almond. Dry, straightforward and lively on the palate: Juicy, precise fruit, a taut, citric acidity and a fine, salty mineral tone that leads into the long, clear finish. A classic, elegant Gavi – straightforward, animating and charming. Excellent for light summer cuisine, with fish and rice dishes and white meat, but also a real pleasure to drink on its own. SUPERIORE.DE

Rosa Mara is undoubtedly one of the favourite wines of Mattia Vezzola, who is dedicated to reinterpreting a historic vinification method that has been practised in this region since the 18th century. This Chiaretto is produced using the traditional "a lacrima" method, in which the grapes are pressed gently and carefully so that they begin to "cry". To achieve the perfect colour, the tone of the rosato is constantly monitored during production. Speaking of perfect: with this wine, Mattia proves how masterfully he has mastered this process and brought it to absolute perfection.

The Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca grapes for this exceptional white wine come from the Casanova dell'Aia vineyard in Radda in Chianti, the first 0.2-hectare, calcareous and clayey plot that the family bought and planted in the 1980s and then renewed in 2014. It matures on the fine lees mostly in terracotta amphorae and only a small part remains in stainless steel tanks. Total production per vintage: 2,500 bottles.

Delicate golden yellow colour, with clear notes of pear, banana, white pepper, herbs and paprika on the nose. Brilliant, dazzling and crisp on the palate with flavours of fresh citrus fruits, especially mandarin, plus mango and star fruit on the mineral final. SUPERIORE.DE

Medium golden yellow colour. Spicy, intense nose with aromas of roses, lychee and lily blossom. Powerful and round on the palate with a full, creamy texture. Piquant and mineral notes are flanked by a fresh acidity and notes of apricot and honeydew melon. Gewürztraminer Stoass ends harmoniously in a finely fruity and smooth finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Straw yellow in colour with a fine, persistent perlage. The nose is a fragrant mix of orange blossom, white peach and lime zest, accompanied by sage and a hint of blossom honey. Delicately sparkling and crystal clear on the palate: juicy stone fruit, fine sweetness and a lively, citric acidity are perfectly balanced. The ageing in pressurised tanks preserves the aromatic purity and ensures lightness and flow. Long, fragrant finish with a delicate minerality – an elegant, typical Moscato d'Asti with a high charm factor. SUPERIORE.DE

Greenish straw yellow in the glass. Peach and apricot dominate the nose when young, with an interesting minerality and depth added as the wine matures. On the palate, the wine correlates beautifully with the aroma, with an invigorating acidity and freshness that makes it dance with vigour. Ideal with starters, savoury first courses, spicy fish and delicate white meat. SUPERIORE.DE

Since 1977, a different bird has adorned every Castellare label – a tribute to the biodiversity of the Tuscan vineyards and a symbol of Paolo Panerai's vision of preserving the authentic Chianti Classico. The estate consistently eschews international grape varieties in favour of Tuscan tradition: 95% Sangioveto, the noble local Sangiovese clone, and 5% Canaiolo form the classic formula of Italy's most famous red wine. The grapes grow on chalky soils between 350 and 400 metres above sea level in Castellina in Chianti, where they develop their typical elegance. After vinification, the wine matures for seven months in French barriques.