Wine Spectator

Pecorino from Abruzzo – fresh, juicy, with a clear profile. Citrus, yellow apple, white flowers, a hint of Mediterranean herbs and stone fruit on the nose. Lively on the palate, with taut acidity, fine salinity, good tension and a dry, slightly tart finish. The ageing in stainless steel emphasises freshness and varietal typicity. A versatile, straightforward white wine for many occasions – goes well with fish, vegetables, pasta or on its own. Honest, typical, uncomplicated and with its own character. SUPERIORE.DE

A smoky blend of raspberry jam, sage and freshly ground pepper flows from the glass. Silky in texture on the palate and extremely flavoursome with the pepper notes from the bouquet, which mingle with salty minerals and lively acidity. Hardly any tannin. The finish is long and fruity with a hint of liquorice. A delicious accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

Ruby red in colour with a violet hue. A clear aroma of red berries on the nose, including raspberry, sour cherry and blackcurrant. Hints of liquorice, rhubarb and young leather. On the palate, it is soft, opulent and has a good tannin structure. Like all Li Veli reds, it has a convincing finish with well-integrated acidity and a surprising freshness for the entire region. SUPERIORE.DE

The country dance (controdanza) is a typical dance in which man and woman face each other and unite in graceful movements - depending on their gender, the dancers interpret the music in their own way. This wine is exactly the same: Nero d'Aola and Merlot - opposites attract and, with the right sensitivity, can harmonise and contrast wonderfully.

This traditional cuvée is already inspiring in its youth. Made from outstanding grapes, you can taste the ripe fruit and richness of the three classic vineyards. Deep ruby-garnet colour with violet reflections. Full-bodied bouquet of dusty violets and roses, which fades into spiced confectionery and crushed cherries. The palate reveals fresh cherries, mixed herbs and undergrowth - all well balanced - giving the wine a lightness and at the same time a complexity that keeps you coming back for more. SUPERIORE.DE

On the well-aerated limestone-porphyry soils between 260 and 380 metres, the world's most widespread white grape variety thrives to southern Alpine perfection. These medium altitudes around Andriano provide the ideal microclimate for Chardonnay: Mediterranean warmth with night-time cooling for optimum flavour development. The grapes are hand-selected, fermented at a controlled temperature in stainless steel and matured on the fine lees for six months, giving Somereto its characteristic creaminess and texture.

Rare white wine from Vajra's 4-hectare Baudana boutique vineyard in Serralunga. Light, bright straw yellow colour. Fresh bouquet of citrus fruit, nectarine, flint and flower meadow. Fine acid wire on the palate, interesting flavours and a medium body, making it a perfect accompaniment to exotic and light summer dishes. Fresh finish with beautiful minerality . SUPERIORE.DE

South Tyrol's most widespread white wine develops its classic elegance on calcareous clay-dolomite soils between 260 and 380 metres. These medium altitudes offer optimal conditions for this classic grape variety: Alpine freshness with sufficient Mediterranean warmth for the reddish-grey berries. As a white mutation of Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio shows its southern Alpine facet here: controlled fermentation in stainless steel, followed by six months of ageing on the lees for additional texture and complexity.

Mongrana Rosso epitomises Querciabella's visionary approach in the southern Tuscan coastal region - a vibrant, vintage-driven cuvée that has continuously earned international acclaim since its debut vintage in 2005. The Wine Spectator named this wine one of the "Top 100 Wines of the World" back in 2013. The vineyards are located in Alberese near Grosseto, just a few kilometres from the sea and surrounded by the unspoilt nature of the Uccellina Nature Park. Here, on iron-rich soils of sandy silt and gravel at an altitude of 20 to 50 metres, the vines thrive in ideal Mediterranean conditions. The proximity to the sea provides cooling breezes that give the grapes their characteristic freshness and minerality.

Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Bastia comes from high-altitude, organically farmed plots on the Bastia hills in Monforte d'Alba. The exposed location at an altitude of around 500 metres and calcareous marl soils give the grapes freshness, fine minerality and aromatic clarity. Bright purple-red colour with violet reflections. Juicy black cherry, ripe plum and a hint of blueberry on the nose, accompanied by delicate almond notes and a hint of violet. Dry, supple and harmonious on the palate, with ripe fruit, moderate acidity and soft, well-integrated tannins. A Dolcetto full of character that shows its origins from the heart of the Langhe with confidence and a charming drinking flow. SUPERIORE.DE

The vines for this Dolcetto grow on the Ravera hillside in Novello, on soils rich in limestone, sand and clay with a gentle south-eastern exposure, around 380 metres above sea level. This parcel is located in Elvio Cogno's traditional cultivation centre and is all about local provenance and authenticity. The ageing – around eight months in steel barrels, without wood – emphasises the varietal typicity and freshness.

The classic from the heart of Chianti Classico: Brolio combines the excellent drinkability of a young Chianti Classico with a complex, complete structure. The vineyards grow on the historic Castello di Brolio between 280 and 480 metres above sea level on five representative soil types – from sandstone to galestro and marine sediments. Intense ruby red colour. Fresh, floral nose with notes of chinotto, violets and mimosa, leading to fruity nuances of black cherries and sweet mint. Velvety and complex on the palate with great harmony, elegant structure and a long, mineral final. A textbook Chianti Classico from a historic terroir. SUPERIORE.DE

A Pinot Grigio with substance and origin: the grapes for this classic white wine come from the chalky flysch soils of the Colli Orientali, where cooler nights and good aeration ensure aromatic clarity and freshness. Pale straw yellow in the glass with a greenish tinge. The aroma is typical of the variety and delicate: yellow apple, pear, white flowers and a hint of lemon zest. Dry, lively and straightforward on the palate, with fine fruit, subtle minerality and balanced acidity. An elegant representative of its grape variety, not focussing on superficial fruit, but on balance and drinking flow. SUPERIORE.DE

Intense ruby red, complex bouquet with notes of black cherry, blueberry and plum, followed by coffee, liquorice and leather. Powerful and full-bodied on the palate, sweet in its tannic texture, infused with a lively freshness and with a beautiful fruit centre. Persistent on the palate with notes of liquorice and cocoa, giving the Rosso an elegant and full-bodied finish. SUPERIORE.DE

A Friulian wine with a subtle French accent: Tunella's Chardonnay combines the purity of the Colli Orientali terroir with hints of Burgundian elegance. The vines grow on Ponca soil on a gentle slope, which gives the wine precision and structure. A light golden yellow colour with greenish reflections in the glass. White flowers, yellow apple, a little roasted hazelnut and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Harmonious on the palate, with a creamy texture, fine acidity and subtle minerality. A well-balanced, charming Chardonnay with a clear expression of origin and stylish depth. SUPERIORE.DE

Impeccable Pinot Bianco in a brilliant light yellow colour with clean fruit aromas and lively minerality. Pear, quince and floral memories on the palate, with a brilliant, creamy texture. The delicate Pinot Blanc is one of the winery's trademarks. SUPERIORE.DE

Since 1871, the name Garofoli has embodied the soul of the Marchigian wine culture – a story of five generations that has its roots in the holy city of Loreto, where Antonio Garofoli once refreshed weary pilgrims with local wine. What began as a humble tavern developed under his son Gioacchino into one of Italy's most venerable wine houses, which is now run by brothers Carlo and Gianfranco and their children Gianluca, Caterina and Beatrice. Podium originates from the classic hills of the Castelli di Jesi, the historic heartland of Verdicchio, where medium loamy soils with sandy and calcareous inclusions form a mosaic that gives the Verdicchio grape its unmistakable minerality. The long ageing process takes place without the use of wood.

There are wines that define a winery. Sirì d'Jermu is one of them. Since the first bottling in 1988, this single-vineyard Dolcetto has epitomised what Orlando and Attilio Pecchenino can get out of the grape variety in terms of elegance and ageing potential – and it is the reason why Pecchenino is one of the most respected producers in the appellation today. The name refers to the vineyard of the same name right next to the historic winery in Dogliani, where 35-year-old vines are rooted in medium-heavy, chalky soils with silt and clay content. The south-western exposure ensures optimal ripening conditions for the concentration and complexity that characterise Dogliani Superiore. Vinification follows traditional principles with contemporary precision: after destemming, the mash is fermented with a portion of whole grapes for 15 to 20 days at 26°C in stainless steel tanks, using only indigenous yeasts. What distinguishes Sirì d'Jermu from San Luigi, however, is the ageing process: twelve months in large oak barrels give the wine structure, depth and the ability to age for over ten years.

Ornello is an open wine with beautiful, inviting aromas of ripe, dark fruit, cedar wood, dried herbs, tobacco and incense. All of this has a pleasant depth. Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins and a juicy, ripe finish. Very good value. SUPERIORE.DE

Here is one of the most beautiful interpretations of the white Carricante grape variety, matured for six months on the fine lees. Alta Mora Bianco comes from vineyards on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, where Carricante vines thrive at an altitude of 600 to 900 metres – directly on volcanic rock that is rich in minerals and ash. The cool altitude, combined with intense sunlight and strong day-night fluctuations, characterises this wine with an unmistakable freshness, structure and salty tension. The wine is matured purely in stainless steel in order to bring the purity of the grape variety and the terroir unadulterated into the glass.

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

Don't be surprised: This expressive, fresh red could also be a rosé. This serious fun-maker is a wonderfully refreshing yet extremely flavoursome Nebbiolo with an expressive bouquet of crushed raspberries and strawberries, making it an ideal food companion or "just" spring or summer wine that can easily be enjoyed on its own. Very electrifying and a real pleasure to drink! 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