Vintage 2024

Unlitro – a name that is the programme and at the same time sums up the entire philosophy of Ampeleia. At a time when wines are becoming ever more complex, the team around Elisabetta Foradori and Giovanni Podini are focussing on the essence of winemaking: creating an honest, easy-drinking wine that expresses the beauty of the Maremma landscape without embellishment. 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 characteristic Galestro and Alberese soils of the Maremma at an altitude of 200-400 metres. The Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool sea breezes, creates ideal conditions for wines with natural balance and freshness.

High up in the Aosta Valley, where viticulture and high mountains meet, a white cuvée is created that combines freshness, clarity and alpine elegance. Chardonnay, Prié Blanc, Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Grigio come from a steep moraine slope above the Aosta Valley at high altitudes around Aymavilles. After temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine remains on the fine lees for several weeks – which gives it finesse and structure. Pale straw yellow in the glass with silver reflections. The aroma is of crisp apples, white flowers, citrus fruits and a hint of mountain herbs – all supported by a fine, mineral undertone. The palate is lively and clear as a bell, with well-integrated acidity, cool fruit and a delicately creamy texture. The finish is dry, straightforward and has the salty flavour that is typical of the wines of this Alpine valley. A wine with an unobstructed mountain view. SUPERIORE.DE

Lupo is made from 100% Sangiovese from very old clones that produce a lighter style of red wine that was common in the 1960s and 1970s. Preserved cherries, orange peel, white pepper, crushed stones and chalk give this light to medium-bodied red wine an attractive upper flavour register that underlines its decidedly taut and nervous personality. Very independent and very well made. SUPERIORE.DE

Italy connoisseur and wine critic Ian D'Agata writes about the grape variety in his book "Native Wine Grapes of Italy": "Verdicchio is arguably Italy's greatest indigenous white grape variety. This statement may come as a surprise to those who have only tasted neutral or watery Verdicchio wines, sometimes even bottled in incredible amphora-shaped bottles."

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 hill. A solitary, 50-metre-high ridge south of Margreid, which gives the Pinot Grigio its name and character. The soil is unusual: grey, loamy sand with a high clay content – —no porphyry, no limestone gravel—but a soft, nutrient-rich deposit that gives the Pinot Grigio a richness and freshness that poorer soils simply cannot provide. Margreid’s Mediterranean climate – — warm summers, mild winters, and the afternoon ‘Ora’ breeze from Lake Garda – ensures the grapes ripen evenly and develop their aromas. Hand-harvested, clarified must, three weeks’ fermentation in stainless steel, five months on the fine lees.

This is Stefano Inama's vision of a terroir-driven Chardonnay off the beaten track. While the winery enjoys worldwide recognition for its Soave Classico wines, this Chardonnay del Veneto epitomises the experimental side of the winery – and impressively proves that the volcanic soils of the region can also lend exceptional expressiveness to international varieties. The grapes come from vineyards in Soave and Monteforte d'Alpone, where a fascinating geological peculiarity comes into play: this wine is the only Chardonnay cuvée from the winery that combines grapes from both volcanic basalt soils and limestone formations. This rare combination – volcanic lava meets sedimentary limestone layers – creates a complex terroir that gives the Chardonnay both mineral depth and structural elegance. Stefano and his now highly active sons Matteo and Alessio consistently refrain from using wood – the focus is entirely on the purity of the fruit and the expression of the volcanic terroir.

"I am particularly attached to this wine, which is named after the border collie that lived with us for fifteen years. Otto is the youngest wine we have, fresh and ready to drink. A wine you should always have in your cellar." Graziano Prà

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.

Sardinian sun meets Mediterranean breeze – samas feels like a glass of holiday under olive trees by the sea. The fruit is grown on sandy, chalky soils in the sunny south-west of Sardinia and was harvested in the cool morning hours to preserve freshness and flavour. The grape variety blend of 80% Vermentino and 20% Chardonnay is perfectly selected. After cool fermentation and around 40 days on the fine lees in the tank, the wine matures for a few months in stainless steel tanks – elegant, clear and yet complex. Sunny yellow in the glass, almost like a ray of light caught in the glass. The nose offers aromas of grapefruit and lime, exotic fruits such as pineapple, Mediterranean herbs – especially sage – and a delicate, fresh minerality. On the palate, it is velvety, yet clearly contoured and full of energy: juicy, slightly salty and with a vibrant freshness that immediately whets the appetite for the next sip. SUPERIORE.DE

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 Greco with clear origins: Daltavilla reflects the extraordinary terroir of Tufo with striking precision and elegance. The calcareous tufa soils of the high altitudes give this wine mineral depth and fresh structure. The 2024 vintage is characterised by ripe, clean grapes that were able to ripen particularly aromatically thanks to cool evenings during the ripening phase. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a golden green hue. The nose smells of yellow fruits such as almond zest, warm lemon and white peach, complemented by floral notes and a subtle smoky flavour in the background. Juicy and dry on the palate, with harmonious acidity and elegant fruit, carried by a spicy mineral note that leads into the long, slightly salty finish. Daltavilla stands for clear origin and stylistic purity – a Greco that combines terroir and style and reveals the soul of a great appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

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

Morabianca Falanghina Irpinia DOC is a delicate, modern interpretation of one of the oldest white grape varieties in Campania. The grapes come from higher-lying plots in Mirabella Eclano – one of the coolest areas of Irpinia –which gives the wine freshness and finesse. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a silvery hue. The bouquet smells of ripe Williams pear, apricot, citrus blossom and a hint of white pepper. Juicy on the palate, with a fine texture and a good balance between fruity richness and lively acidity. Finishes with subtle floral notes and a mineral accent. Clear and precise, with subtle depth and cool elegance – a Falanghina with ambition and character. 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