Vintage 2024

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.

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

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

The grapes come from the vineyards between La Morra and Verduno, where clay and limestone-rich soils at an altitude of 310 to 370 metres create ideal conditions for this traditional grape variety. Matteo Ascheri's approach is deliberately restrained: minimal use of technology, no barrique treatment and a respectful approach to what nature produces. The result is a Dolcetto as it should be – delicate and expressive, without being artificial or forced.

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."

Palmina comes from 45-year-old vines, is only produced in very small quantities and is an extremely successful example of a single-varietal Sangiovese Rosato and one of the best in Tuscany. An impressive wine with an independent profile, the bouquet of rose petals is extremely complex and delicate. The fruity flavour has an enchantingly elegant structure, juicy and fresh, with crisp acidity and an appealing finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Bianco Berg offers soft, savoury aromas of white stone fruit, alpine herbs and Spanish broom. The palate is creamy and polished, with juicy pear, ripe yellow apple and hazelnut, before finishing with a fresh citrus note. SUPERIORE.DE

Pale straw yellow with golden reflections - a Chardonnay that lives not from the wood, but from its origin and freshness. In the Colli Orientali, the variety shows a particularly fine face: the high altitudes around Prepotto bring coolness and precision, while the chalky soils provide structure. The nose has hints of yellow apple, citrus fruit, lime blossom and a hint of white almond. Juicy, balanced and clear as a bell on the palate, with lively acidity and mineral depth. A north-east Italian Chardonnay that emphasises terroir rather than effects - authentic, taut and wonderfully unagitated (and not at all as international as the grape variety). SUPERIORE.DE

Floral and slightly spicy, stimulating bouquet of green apple, peach and melon. Aromatic freshness, fullness and harmony on the palate. Fine, clean and very harmonious quality. SUPERIORE.DE

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

Yellow-green, delicate bouquet of tropical fruit with a fine floral-honey touch. Lively acidity on the palate, pleasant caramel nuances, fresh, powerful and persistent. SUPERIORE.DE

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.

Sur Sur is a fresh Grillo, named after the little cricket whose gentle chirping symbolises lightness and new beginnings – a loving reminder of the playful, unforced life of the Sibyllines that blossoms on Sicilian soil. The vines grow in the west of Sicily around Contessa Entellina, on clayey-loamy soils with a chalky structure, which give the wine a lively freshness and aromatic purity. The colour in the glass is a brilliant straw yellow, clear and inviting. The nose reveals floral notes, white peach fruit, melon, grapefruit and a hint of herbs. On the palate, Sur Sur is soft, with juicy fruit, fine acidity and a seductive grip that makes you want to take another sip right away – an uncomplicated Grillo with a sunny disposition and fine origins, perfect as an aperitif or a light accompaniment to antipasti and summer delights. SUPERIORE.DE