Vintage 2024

In the warm coastal air of the south-east Sicilian limestone soils near Noto, Grillo thrives with a Mediterranean self-image – sun-kissed, but not heavy. The name Azisa comes from the ancient Arabic "Aziz", which means "precious" – a reminiscence of Sicily's multi-layered history. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with greenish reflections. On the nose, an open, finely drawn spectrum of aromas: white peach, yellow citrus fruit, a hint of sage and orange blossom, plus delicate hints of sea salt and wet stone. Fresh, lively and pointed on the palate – with a clear acid structure, light phenolic tension and a dry, salty-mineral final. Azisa is a serious Grillo with a Sicilian soul – elegant, accessible and full of character. Ideal with antipasti, mussels or summery Mediterranean cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

Salcheto is not just an organic winery – it is a manifesto. Since 2011, the winery has been completely self-sufficient, detached from the regional electricity grid and powered by photovoltaics, geothermal energy and biomass. Gambero Rosso named Salcheto "Sustainable Winery of the Year" in 2014, and Michele Manelli, who has managed the estate since 1997, is Vice President of Equalitas, the organisation that sets standards for sustainable wine production in Italy. The lightest bottles in the industry, certified CO₂ balances, energy-independent winery – at Salcheto, sustainability is not a claim, but a reality.

Unlitro – a name that says it all and, at the same time, sums up Ampeleia's entire philosophy. At a time when wines are becoming increasingly complex, the team led by Elisabetta Foradori and Giovanni Podini is returning to the essence of winemaking: to create an honest, easy-drinking wine that expresses the beauty of the Maremma landscape without any frills. The grapes for this special blend of Alicante Nero, Sangiovese, Carignano, Mourvèdre and Alicante Bouschet come from the organically farmed vineyards near Roccatederighi. Here, just a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the vines thrive on the Maremma's characteristic Galestro and Alberese soils at an altitude of 200–400 metres. The Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool sea breezes, creates ideal conditions for wines of natural balance and freshness.

Nebbiolo is red wine. Always. Barolo, Barbaresco, Valtellina Superiore – the great reds of the north. And yet: in the vineyards of the Alpi Retiche, on the steep terraces of Valtellina between 350 and 600 metres, Nino Negri makes a white wine from this grape variety. Blanc de Noir – with a depth and independence that shows what Nebbiolo can do when you take away the colour and let the minerality do the talking. The secret lies in the soil. The geological diversity of the Alpi Retiche is the result of the collision between the African and European continental plates – a collision that formed the Alps and left behind rocks of exceptional minerality. These soils give the Nebbiolo Bianco its unmistakable character: elegant, mineral, with a complexity that is surprising for a white wine from this region.

The Rosso di Montalcino from Caparzo embodies the philosophy of a house that has been one of the pioneers of modern Montalcino since 1970. Under the visionary leadership of Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, wines are created here that perfectly express the terroir understanding of the various micro-locations. This Rosso is far more than just the "little brother" of the legendary Brunello – it is a wine of character in its own right, combining the youthful freshness of the Sangiovese grape with the complexity of different vineyards. The grapes come from three strategically selected vineyards that cover the entire spectrum of the Caparzo terroirs: In the north, the Caparzo site at an altitude of 220 metres, in the south Il Cassero at 270 metres and in the east San Piero-Caselle at 250 metres. This diversity of locations – from the warmer, early-ripening sites to the higher, cooler terroirs – enables the cellar team to create the optimum blend depending on the character of the vintage.

The history of Lagrein cultivation in Alto Adige dates back to the 14th century. The Lagrein from St. Michael-Eppan is a characterful representative of its grape variety - powerful, but well-managed, with regional typicity and a clear profile. Grown on brooding, sandy-loamy soils in the Bolzano and Appiano area, the wine shows what South Tyrol's indigenous red wine variety can achieve in good hands. The 2024 vintage brought a balanced ripeness that allowed for freshness and depth in equal measure. After the classic mash fermentation, the wine matured for several months in large wooden barrels, which lends structure without overpowering the fruit.

This single-varietal Riesling comes from well-ventilated vineyards with Alsatian clones and combines freshness, structure and ageing potential. After manual harvest in small crates and one night of cooling at 10 °C, the grapes are gently pressed. The must remains on the lees for 48 hours to extract aromatic precursors before fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. The wine then matures for six months on the fine lees.

A youthful classic with history: Collecastrese is a single-varietal Falanghina from the wine-growing region around Monte Massico – an old cultivation centre of the legendary Falerno wines. The limestone and tufa soils lend the wine a mineral freshness, while the proximity to the coast promotes mild ripeness and aromatic clarity. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a greenish-yellow hue. On the nose, ripe peach, green pear, tropical fruit notes such as pineapple and mango, accompanied by floral nuances. On the palate, it has a charming smoothness, clean fruit and fine acidity; the salty minerality characterises the long, fresh finish. An uncomplicated but expressive introduction to the world of Villa Matilde – a Falanghina with character, balance and a regional profile. SUPERIORE.DE

Buonsenso (common sense) is simply matured in steel tanks and left on the lees for four months. It is already visually impressive with its bright straw yellow colour. Attractive bouquet of wild flowers, mint, peach and green melon. The palate is refreshing with a great acid wire, rounded off by citrus and peach notes with a subtle hint of saltiness. SUPERIORE.DE

This Blanc de Noir from Conte Vistarino is made from gently pressed Pinot Nero grapes and is matured using the Charmat method. After fermentation, the wine matures on the lees for six months, giving it finesse and structure. Fine aromas of white flowers, apple and hazelnut on the nose, dry, precise and balanced on the palate. The elegant perlage, straw-yellow colour with a greenish shimmer and clear style make it a sophisticated sparkling wine that impressively reflects the nobility of Pinot Nero - complex and yet immediately accessible. SUPERIORE.DE

This Dolcetto comes from the gently sloping, gravelly and limestone-rich plots around Barolo, and has always been regarded by Sandrone as a wine with a character all of its own. Hand-harvested at the end of September, with spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel and gentle ageing in neutral oak, this wine preserves the varietal character whilst imparting structure. In the glass, it displays a clear, luminous purple colour with violet highlights. The bouquet is as inviting as it is precise: black cherry, blackberry and plum, complemented by violet blossoms, almonds and a hint of graphite. On the palate, it displays a harmonious blend of juicy fruit, finely integrated acidity and ripe, slightly firm tannins. The medium-length finish carries mineral notes and a hint of herbal spice. A Dolcetto with substance and nobility, which brings the estate's philosophy – clarity, balance and elegance – to life even in what is supposedly the simplest of grape varieties. SUPERIORE.DE

This elegant rosé sparkling wine made from Pinot Nero is produced after a short maceration period and gentle pressing. The base wine matures on the fine lees until December, is then fermented in an autoclave and matures on the lees for a further six months. This is followed by at least two months of ageing in the bottle. The colour in the glass is pale pink with a fine, persistent perlage. Aromas of raspberries, wild strawberries and yellow fruit on the nose. Soft, creamy and fresh on the palate, harmoniously rounded off with 10 g/l dosage. A balanced, aromatic sparkling wine with international appeal - sensual, structured and remarkably elegant. SUPERIORE.DE