wine classics

Graziano Merotto has named wines after parcels of land, after decades of experience, and also after himself. This one, however, he named after his daughter. La Primavera di Barbara – barbara's spring. What at first sounds like a gesture of affection is also a precise description of the wine: bright, blooming, with a vibrancy that can only be found in the best season.

In May, when the iris – known as "giaggiolo" in Tuscan – bathes the vineyards of Lamole in a violet glow, the soul of this wine is revealed. The name Maggiolo was born from the fusion of 'flower' and 'month': a Chianti Classico that captures the sunny generosity of the high-altitude vineyards, situated between 420 and 655 metres, in liquid form. Unlike the purist Duelame, the Maggiolo relies on a blend of 80% Sangiovese with 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Following visual selection of the grapes, they are fermented separately in stainless steel. The Sangiovese matures for 18 months in large oak casks, whilst the international varieties are aged in barriques; a marriage of structure and suppleness.

Where the Lombards once built their fortress and Frederick II held court, Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi now cultivates his vines – a descendant of Bettino Ricasoli, who invented the Chianti formula in the 19th century. Monti in Chianti, situated at an altitude of 340 to 510 metres, is considered one of the best vineyards in the entire region. Limestone soils, organic farming and three-phase manual harvesting form the basis for this classic Chianti: 90% Sangiovese, supplemented by Canaiolo from our own selection. Matured for twelve months in Allier oak, bottled unfiltered.

With the 2024 vintage, Tolaini is revamping its Chianti Classico range: the previous Vallenuova Annata has been promoted to Riserva, and this entry-level wine – named after the estate itself – takes its place. The grapes come from the vineyards surrounding the estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the southernmost corner of the Chianti Classico region, where silty-clay soils mixed with limestone and stones shape the character of the Sangiovese.

A circular forest sits enthroned on the highest point of the vineyard, and inside it rests an Etruscan tomb – over 2,500 years old. Al Passo, "at the passage", is what they call this place, from where the view extends as far as the Torre del Mangia in Siena. Here, where past and present meet, the estate's most popular cuvée is created: equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on the silty-clayey limestone soils of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Double selection, 20 days on the skins, then 14 months in French oak – six of which on the fine lees, which gives the wine its silky texture.

A Sangiovese cru that demonstrates the philosophy of single-vineyard viticulture to perfection. Sergio Zingarelli and his team recognised early on the extraordinary potential of the clay-dominated soils of Sant'Alfonso – plots with minimal skeleton content, which create the ideal conditions for concentrated, aromatically complex wines. Sangiovese clones were specifically cultivated here, which harmonise with the clay-rich structures and develop the highest phenol concentrations.

There is this one moment when Graziano Merotto stops explaining and simply puts his glass down to observe his counterpart. This wine is that very special moment. Integral: undivided, unmediated, without abbreviation – bone dry.

The name pays tribute to the Butteri, those legendary horsemen of the Maremma who have been the symbol of this region for generations – powerful yet elegant. It refers to the long, tapered ash-wood herding staff with which the Butteri still guide their herds across the plains of the Maremma to this day. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah blend here to create a full-bodied, rich red wine – the Syrah component lends it particular depth without sacrificing the elegance and freshness typical of Rocca di Frassinello.

Since 1300, Tenuta Castiglioni has epitomised the Frescobaldi family's winemaking tradition, and as early as the 16th century, its wines were held in the highest regard: at the papal court in Rome as well as at the English court of Henry VIII. This Rosso carries that reputation into the present day as a modern blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. The grapes come from the same hills near Montespertoli where the family has been growing wine for centuries. Destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with gentle, constant pumping over, the wine matures for twelve months in barriques, followed by a further two months in the bottle.

Barbara Widmer's Chianti Classico has for years been characterised by clarity and terroir: 100% Sangiovese from plots in Castellina and Radda (230–400 m), on limestone- and clay-rich soils with a south to south-west aspect. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged for around twelve months on the fine lees in stainless steel and cement tanks – deliberately without the use of wood, to allow the grape variety to express itself purely and precisely.

Pèppoli is an entertaining, very relaxed red wine with a firm fan base. A sparkling, intense ruby colour with a slight garnet hue. The Pèppoli expresses its strong personality through its bouquet of ripe fruit with light mineral accents. The juicy flavour with lively tannins spreads gently yet powerfully across the palate and lingers for a long time. Very easy to drink, very classic and, incidentally, excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine was born as a challenge. In 2004, when we started making it, ageing it in steel was against the general trend of ageing complex Soave wines in barrique. Today, we are glad that we took this risk." Graziano Prà

Since 1977, every Castellare label has featured a different bird – a tribute to the biodiversity of the Tuscan vineyards and a symbol of Paolo Panerai's vision to preserve authentic Chianti Classico. The estate consistently avoids international grape varieties and relies exclusively on Tuscan tradition: 95% Sangioveto, the fine local Sangiovese clone, and 5% Canaiolo form the classic blend of Italy's most famous red wine. The grapes grow on limestone soils at an altitude of between 350 and 400 metres in Castellina in Chianti, where they develop their characteristic elegance. Following vinification, the wine is aged for seven months in French barriques.

In the heart of Chianti Classico, where the hills of Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga and Radda in Chianti meet, lies the historic Castello di Fonterutoli estate. Owned by the Marchesi Mazzei family since 1435, this Chianti Classico epitomises a centuries-old winemaking tradition. The grapes come from 114 individually managed plots at altitudes ranging from 220 to 570 metres, each with its own microclimate and terroir. Composed mainly of Sangiovese, complemented by small proportions of Malvasia Nera and Colorino, each plot is vinified and aged separately to preserve the exceptional diversity of aromas and complexity.

Monsanto's Chianti Classico Annata is made from the estate's youngest vines and combines immediate drinkability with the depth that the soil at Monsanto imparts to all its wines. 90% Sangiovese, complemented by 5% each of Canaiolo and Colorino, comes from those plots that have proved particularly suitable for ageing in large casks. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled, truncated-cone-shaped steel tanks, accompanied by délestage and pumping over for 18 to 20 days. This is followed by around one year's ageing in large 50-hectolitre oak barrels, rounded off by three months' bottle ageing.

Felsina's single-varietal Sangiovese wines have been produced on the south-eastern edge of the Chianti Classico region since 1967. The vineyards, facing south-west, stretch across well-ventilated slopes at altitudes of between 320 and 420 metres on geologically diverse soils comprising quartz-rich sandstone, calcareous Alberese and clay. Following hand-picking in the first three weeks of October, temperature-controlled fermentation takes place at 28–30°C with intensive maceration in stainless steel tanks for 12–15 days. Ageing lasts twelve months, predominantly in traditional medium-sized Slavonian oak barrels, supplemented by a small proportion of used barriques. 

Colle il Castello is the name of the steep hill that rises directly behind the winery – so rugged that many would avoid it. Graziano Merotto deliberately chose this isolated, challenging site: The conglomerate soil and the distinctive topography give the Castè a character that flatter vineyards cannot match. The result is regarded within the winery itself as the most typical expression of Prosecco Superiore DOCG. 2.32 hectares at 270 metres, Col San Martino, exclusively Glera. The grapes are left to macerate on their skins, then gently pressed; the resulting must undergoes around sixty days of secondary fermentation directly in the autoclave, followed by approximately one hundred days of ageing on the lees.

Volpaia – the foxhole. High above Radda in Chianti, at 450 to 650 metres above sea level, the vineyards of Castello di Volpaia are located on the highest slopes of the appellation. The medieval borgo, first mentioned in a document in 1172, has belonged to the Mascheroni-Stianti family since 1966, who consistently farm organically here. The altitude shapes the character: sandstone soils, cool nights and long ripening periods give the Sangiovese (supplemented by 10% Merlot) a freshness and elegance that would be hard to achieve in warmer locations. Fermented with indigenous yeasts, matured for twelve months in large oak barrels.

In 1872, Bettino Ricasoli wrote down his famous formula – the blueprint of what Chianti Classico should be: Sangiovese as the heart, structure as the backbone, terroir as the argument. The fact that his descendants have named this wine after him is not nostalgia. It is a commitment. Brolio Bettino is a single-varietal Sangiovese – and that is intentional. No blending, no corrective. The grapes grow on five geological formations: Sandstone, Galestro, Alberese, marine sediments and old river terraces – a terroir mosaic that combines depth and complexity in one glass. Fermentation in small stainless steel tanks, 18 months of ageing in large barrels: classic, without compromise. The 2022 vintage was capricious – mild winter, dry spring, a hailstorm in July, but it ended on a mild note.

Since the 2017 vintage, the word ‘Prosecco’ has no longer appeared on any bottle of Col Vetoraz. A deliberate decision – and a political one. According to the winery, the word is being misused, with the real risk of trivialising and erasing the centuries-old history and distinct character of the hills of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. Since then, only “Valdobbiadene DOCG” – the sole, true territorial identity. The winery is situated at an altitude of just under 400 metres, at the highest point of the famous Cartizze hill in Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene. The Miotto family has had roots here since 1838; Francesco Miotto, together with agronomist Paolo De Bortoli and Oenologist Loris Dall’Acqua, founded the current Col Vetoraz in 1993.

In 1890, Monica Raspi's great-grandfather bought the Riccieri kiln and turned it into a farm. Her parents, Enzo and Inge – a German woman with a Tuscan accent – restored two old vineyards in 1982. In 2007, Monica Raspi, a vet, closed her practice and took over the estate. Six hectares of vines lie opposite the farm; the two plots used for this wine face east, growing on calcareous marl at an altitude of up to 360 metres. The vines are cultivated organically, with grass, clover and barley growing between the rows. The grapes – 98% Sangiovese and 2% Colorino – are harvested by hand and ferment on the skins for 15 days. This is followed by eight months in large Slavonian oak barrels and six to eight months in concrete tanks.

Bright, sparkling silver-grey with a persistent perlage. The nose is fragrant with white roses, juicy pears and white peach. Juicy on the palate, radiant and with a great fruity sweetness, it opens up with presence and balance, pleasantly dosed in all its facets. SUPERIORE.DE

Forcole is produced in a surprisingly small quantity for a Chianti Classico - just 15,000 bottles. The bouquet begins with a slender texture and aromas of wild berries, sour cherries, pressed violets and sweet earth. Supple, generous and inviting on the palate, it captures all the natural intensity of the vintage. Its attractive silky tannins and the rather darker and crispy-cool Sangiovese flavour profile of the Panzano region make it a great soloist as well as food companion. SUPERIORE.DE