Vintage 2025

Soave has an image problem with many – wrongly so. Anyone who believes that the name stands for pale white wine with no origin is not yet familiar with the eastern hills of Colognola ai Colli. Here, on volcanic soils with sulphurous minerality, Garganega grows with a precision that one would not expect. Monte di Colognola bears the name of its UGA – the Additional Geographical Unit, one of the largest and westernmost hills in the denomination.

Zenato describes its Colombara vineyard in two words: volcano and limestone. Both in perfect balance. The vineyards of the Colombara area, in the heart of Soave Classico, are situated on soils where basaltic volcanic rock meets limestone outcrops – a geological interplay that lends the Garganega both freshness and complexity. In 1960, Sergio Zenato founded his winery on Lake Garda. Since then, Soave Classico and Lugana have been the two pillars around which all the estate's white wines revolve. The Colombara is the purest expression of the former.

Arnaldo Caprai is Umbria – or more precisely: Montefalco. The house that brought Sagrantino out of its slumber and turned it into an international great has been in family hands since 1971. "Anima Umbra" is the light-footed side of this winery – no claim to eternity, but all the more pleasure in the moment. 85% Grechetto, 15% Trebbiano Spoletino. Three months in steel, three months in bottle – clear, direct, without detours. Grechetto provides the backbone: structure, a slight bitterness, mineral freshness. Trebbiano Spoletino rounds off, adds flavour and volume.

An appealing Trebbiano in its purest form – organically grown in the hills near Spoltore. Pale straw yellow with silvery highlights. The bouquet offers crisp apple, lemon, white peach and a hint of almond blossom. On the palate, it is lively, crisp and straightforward, with fine acidity, cool fruit notes and a delicate mineral finish. A refreshing, unpretentious white wine with a regional character – purist in style, precisely vinified and ideal for light meals and after-work drinks. SUPERIORE.DE

A wine that conveys its authenticity with unpretentious elegance: Antigua is a harmonious blend of 85% Monica and 15% Carignano – grapes that ripen on limestone- and clay-rich soils in the Sulcis lowlands. The warm, dry climate lends them depth and aromatic richness, whilst the cool sea breeze brings finesse and freshness. Following the harvest, traditional maceration with pump-overs takes place, after which the wine matures in concrete tanks to preserve its authenticity.

Sicily at its brightest, lightest-footed best. The Planeta family's Segreta vineyards are located between Menfi and Sambuca di Sicilia – on calcareous soils close to the sea and on the cool, gravel-strewn slopes of the Ulmo estate at 210 metres above sea level. It is precisely this combination that characterises the Bianco: 40% Grecanico as the aromatic backbone, complemented by Grillo, Chardonnay and other varieties in equal proportions. Fermented at a cool 15–16°C, then on the fine lees with weekly bâtonnage – no wood, no intervention, just texture and freshness.

Damascene roses bloom on the label – the "painters' roses", one of the oldest varieties of rose in the world, renowned for their exceptional quality and their enchanting fragrance. Planeta did not choose them by chance: the Damask rose describes the wine better than any technical term ever could. Nero d'Avola and Syrah – complemented by a small proportion of Sauvignon Blanc – from the vineyards of the family estate in Menfi, in south-western Sicily, on clay soils bathed in the Mediterranean breeze and Sicilian sunshine. Organically farmed.

A Grillo typical of the western half of Sicily; the grapes come from vines growing on calcareous soil at medium altitude near Salemi. In the glass, it is a bright straw-yellow colour with a greenish tinge. On the nose, ripe yellow fruits, a hint of grapefruit, honeydew melon and a touch of salty sea breeze. On the palate, the 2024 vintage is crisp and juicy, with well-integrated acidity, a subtle sweetness from the fruit, a hint of lime zest and noticeable minerality on the finish. Ageing in stainless steel preserves its freshness and purity of flavour. A characterful, Mediterranean white wine with understated elegance – pairs superbly with antipasti, grilled fish or summer vegetable platters. SUPERIORE.DE

Cerasuolo means cherry red – and the name says it all. What Illuminati vinifies from Montepulciano grapes as rosato has nothing to do with the pale summer rosé that you forget between two deckchairs. Only 15 hours of maceration at a cool temperature – just enough to extract colour, aroma and the characteristic Adriatic salt fingerprint without taking any tannin or heaviness with it. Then fermentation in white, steel, care.

A delicate salmon pink with a coppery sheen – a rosé of subtle elegance. On the nose, redcurrants, rosehip, pink grapefruit and a hint of herb-scented hay. On the palate, the indigenous Bombino Nero grape reveals fresh acidity, delicate fruit notes and a salty minerality. Ageing in stainless steel tanks preserves its clarity and finesse. "Pungirosa" is a wonderful Castel del Monte DOCG rosé – light-footed, yet far from insubstantial. A wine with character that skilfully translates the freshness of the limestone slopes into the glass and sets new standards every year. SUPERIORE.DE

The name says it all: La Gatta (the cat) doesn't sneak into the glass – she purrs her way into it. This Moscato d'Asti from the best plots around Canelli shows how much character can be found in a delicately sparkling white wine. The vines are rooted in calcareous soils with south to south-east exposure, which gives the grapes optimum ripeness and aromatic concentration. Harvested in the cool morning hours and fermented at a controlled temperature, the natural residual sugar is retained and fermentation is stopped early – this keeps the alcohol content low and the flavour high.

A rosé that embodies the light of Sicily. The Frappato grape variety, renowned for its fragrant elegance, brings a great deal of finesse and lightness to the glass, particularly when made into a rosé. Grown on sandy, calcareous soils near Trapani and Marsala, the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks to preserve its fresh, fruit-driven character. A delicate salmon pink with coppery highlights. Aromas of wild strawberries, pink grapefruit and a hint of hibiscus. Juicy and crisp on the palate, with lively acidity, delicate fruit notes and a subtly salty finish. A Mediterranean rosé with a refined touch – ideal as an aperitif or with antipasti, seafood and light summer dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

Cerasuolo – the name is derived from "cerasa", meaning cherry, and also describes the vibrant colour of this rosé made from 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The Di Properzio brothers have been producing it in Spoltore, near Pescara, since 1990: hand-harvested, 18 hours' maceration, followed by saignée and slow fermentation at a low temperature in stainless steel. No oak, no frills – just the grape variety and the terroir. Cherry red in the glass, with fresh sour cherry, strawberry and a hint of pomegranate on the nose. On the palate, lively acidity, a juicy mouthfeel and a salty minerality that recalls its proximity to the Adriatic Sea. Not a pale terrace rosé, but a wine with backbone – and one of Italy’s often-underestimated rosati. SUPERIORE.DE

A grape variety like a phoenix rising from the ashes: Pecorino was considered almost extinct until the 1980s, displaced by higher-yielding varieties. Then it was rediscovered – and today this ancient Abruzzese grape is experiencing a spectacular renaissance. According to legend, it owes its name to the sheep (pecora), which loved to nibble on the sweet berries as they travelled through the vineyards. At Zaccagnini, pecorino grows on clayey soils in the provinces of Pescara and Chieti. The harvest at the end of August – later than for Trebbiano and Pinot Grigio – gives the wine its characteristic structure. After cryomaceration and gentle vacuum pressing, the must ferments at a low temperature in stainless steel.

The small vine wood on the neck of the bottle tells a story: In Bolognano, the small village in the province of Pescara where Zaccagnini has been making wine since 1978, the local women tie each Tralcetto to the bottle by hand with raffia. A symbol of the connection with the land that has long since become a trademark. The Bianco di Ciccio comes from vineyards on clayey soils, where the vines grow partly on the classic pergola and partly on a trellis. An early harvest at the beginning of August preserves the lively acidity. After gentle vacuum pressing and cold clarification, only the fine must fraction ferments at a controlled low temperature – a process that maximises freshness and aroma.

A Chardonnay that transports us to an Italian summer from the very first sip: Fosche is like the morning light over Barolo – fresh, airy and simply vibrant. The grapes grow on gently sloping hills and the wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel to preserve the pure fruit and crisp clarity. No oak, no pretence – just Chardonnay in its most elegant and freshest form. In the glass, it displays a pale straw-yellow colour with a silvery sheen. On the nose, aromas of Golden Delicious and Williams pear unfold, overlaid with delicate notes of orange blossom, citrus zest and a hint of apricot – all balanced on a subtle mineral base. On the palate, it is fresh and lively, with elegant clarity. Citrus freshness and juicy fruit blend perfectly with a delicate creaminess from the fine lees ageing, which lingers pleasantly in the long, sparklingly light finish. Light-footed enough for an aperitif, or just distinctive enough to take a spinach and salmon quiche to a whole new level. SUPERIORE.DE

A Sauvignon from Piedmont that does not overwhelm, but tells its story calmly – of gentle hills, morning mist and cool high-altitude terroir. Tra Donne Sole, named after a novella by Cesare Pavese, plays subtly yet impressively on the varietal character of the grape. The grapes come from selected vineyards with calcareous soils, which lend the wine freshness and structure. Ageing in stainless-steel tanks preserves its precision and bouquet.

Keya is the impressive result of several years of experimental work, and the outcome is a rosé made from 50-year-old vines that perfectly expresses the style and character of the Rizzardi vineyards in the hills above Bardolino. The label pays homage to the Venetian heritage of Countess M. C. Loredan, who ran the estate for many years and played a key role in establishing Chiaretto Bardolino as a much-loved classic wine of the region. The name is derived from the first two syllables of Chi-a-ret-to (KEY-A).

Cerasuolo is not a rosé – at least not in the fashionable sense. It is an independent type of wine with its own DOC since 2010, deeply rooted in Abruzzo's wine culture. The name is derived from cerasa, the dialect word for cherry, and describes the characteristic colour that has accompanied the region's tables for centuries. Zaccagnini's Tralcetto is a lesson in what Montepulciano can do without prolonged contact with the skins: The grapes are gently pressed and only the must is fermented at a low temperature – at a low temperature to preserve the fruit. Brief ageing in stainless steel, then into the bottle.

As sparkling as a sunny day on the plains, this Barbera immediately exudes a zest for life without drawing attention to itself in a loud way – the name "Rossofuoco", meaning "red wine of fire", lives up to its poetic name with dignity. The grapes, organically grown, thrive on gently undulating limestone-loam soil in the Asti region. Gentle hand-harvesting, stainless steel vinification and spontaneous fermentation lend the wine clarity and vitality.

Garganega and Chardonnay from the gravel soils between Valpolicella and Soave – hand-picked, cold macerated and fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel. The four Castagnedi brothers focus on pure fruit without wood: straw yellow with green reflections, acacia blossom, citrus peel and ripe pear on the nose, fresh and juicy on the palate with a fine salinity reminiscent of the gravel soils of Colognola. Uncomplicated Veronese white wine at a high level. SUPERIORE.DE

Pinot Grigio from Abruzzo? Yes, and how! What often degenerates into a bland, mass-produced wine in Veneto or Friuli gains real character in the hills of Chieti. The clayey soils and the interplay of the Adriatic breeze and the cool of the Apennines lend this international grape variety a freshness and aromatic profile that you'd search for in vain elsewhere. The grapes are harvested early in the first half of August to preserve acidity and aroma. After gentle vacuum pressing, only the free-run juice is fermented at a low temperature. A brief period of ageing on the lees lends the wine additional texture and depth before it is matured in stainless steel.

The Sallier de la Tour winery has been owned by the Counts Tasca since 2009, making it the fifth winery that complements and characterises the diversity and professionalism of what is probably Sicily's most famous winery. At Sallier de la Tour, the focus is on the Grillo, Inzolia, Syrah and Nero d'Avola grape varieties. Light yellow in colour with green reflections. Orange zest, meadow flowers and notes of melon and herbs on the nose. Fresh and light on the palate, again fruity, with a fine almond flavour. A delicious classic for light Mediterranean cuisine and warm summer evenings. SUPERIORE.DE