Wine

Straw-yellow Gavi di Gavi with a lively floral fragrance and a hint of exotic fruits, jasmine, lemon and golden apples. Delicate, self-contained, very harmonious flavour that finishes long and mineral with a fine pepper and pastry note. SUPERIORE.DE

The general is said to have been a teetotaller. Until he drank Marsala. The story may be legend – this wine has earned its name since 1862, when Giuseppe Garibaldi landed in Marsala with his troops and discovered the sweetness that won him over. Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia, the classic triad of western Sicily. After the infusion and addition of mosto cotto, the Garibaldi Dolce matures for 24 months in large oak barrels – twice as long as the Fine, with correspondingly more depth and concentration.

Ribelle – rebel. At La Monacesca, where Verdicchio traditionally matures for a long time, this wine is a deliberate break with the rules: harvested in its youth, vinified for freshness, released before time takes the corners off it. Only stainless steel, no rush, but also no waiting for a certain patina. The result is crisp, lively, light-hearted – a Verdicchio for the moment. Green apple, citrus, a hint of almond on the finish. Not a wine for the cellar, but for the summer: aperitivo, crudo, seafood. The monks who settled here a thousand years ago probably didn't know such lightness. But they would certainly have liked it. SUPERIORE.DE

Andrian's Burgundian classic finds its southern Alpine interpretation between 300 and 500 metres on calcareous clay-dolomite soils. These lower-lying sites offer the Pinot Bianco optimal ripening conditions: early morning sunshine with sufficient coolness for the thin-skinned, pressure-sensitive berries. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and six months of refinement on the fine lees give Finado its characteristic texture and complexity.

Falanghina is one of the great white wine classics of southern Italy – and Feudi di San Gregorio interprets it in its purest form. The grapes come from the gentle hills of the Sannio, a high altitude area with calcareous soils and striking day-night differences. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with greenish reflections. Aromas of white peach, apple blossom, lime and a hint of broom. Fresh, fruity and delicately flavoured on the palate, the minerality remains subtly in the background. A confident, clear white wine from a traditional grape variety that does not want to be fashionable, but speaks its origins. Ideal with seafood, pasta with vegetables or simply as an aperitif on a warm evening. SUPERIORE.DE

Frappato and Nero d'Avola in organic quality, carefully vinified and matured in stainless steel: Planeta's Cerasuolo di Vittoria comes from the calcareous clay soils near Dorilli in the province of Ragusa – the historic heartland of Sicily's only DOCG. Medium ruby red in the glass with a transparent centre. The nose is open and charming, with juicy sour cherry, red plums, rosehip and a hint of pepper, underpinned by floral notes and fine Mediterranean spice. On the palate, the wine is elegant and supple, with ripe fruit, gentle tannins and a well-integrated freshness that gives the cuvée an almost dancing balance. Not a loud performance, but a stylish homage to the area of origin of Cerasuolo, vinified with sensitivity and respect for tradition. Ideal with braised vegetables, polpette or Sicilian caponata. SUPERIORE.DE

Mamaioa (Sardinian for "ladybird") is not just a label for Contini, but a symbol of biodiversity and a sensitive understanding of wine. This Vermentino shows how modern and close to nature Sardinia's white wine culture can be, while remaining clear, fresh and convincing. Mamaioa comes from organically cultivated vineyards around Cabras – not far from the salty breeze of the Tyrrhenian Sea and on sandy soils with ancient marine sediment. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and varietal profile.

An Aglianico with character and origin: "Cappellaccio" comes from calcareous soils at an altitude of around 300 metres, near the Castello di Federico II - the namesake of the DOC. The 2018 vintage was balanced and allowed for a late, selective harvest. Ageing in barriques and large wooden barrels for 12 months gives the wine structure and maturity. Dense ruby colour with a garnet-red rim in the glass. Black cherry, dried plum, liquorice, balsamic herbs and a hint of tobacco on the nose. Concentrated on the palate, with pithy tannins, dark spice and mineral freshness. A powerful yet surprisingly precise Aglianico from the chalky slopes of northern Murgia - a masculine wine with depth and potential.

Barbera with origin and attitude: La Villa has been Olim Bauda's favourite wine for decades – not because it is particularly loud, but because it seems so natural. No barrique, no spectacle, but plenty of character. The secret lies in the balance: fruit and freshness, elegance and energy – everything is there, nothing imposes itself. Bright ruby in the glass with a youthful violet colour. The bouquet plays on the fresh side: sour cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, a hint of violet and a delicate mineral note. On the palate, the typical tension of Asti-Barbera – juicy, clearly contoured, with supple tannins and fine length. A wonderfully authentic wine that breathes the soul of Piedmont – spontaneous, lively, unaffected. If you want to understand the essence of this grape variety, this is the perfect wine for every day. SUPERIORE.DE

What began in 2004 as an anniversary wine for the 50th harvest of Salice Salentino – leone de Castris has been producing this Apulian classic since 1954 – has become a firm tradition due to its resounding success. Since then, a new edition of the "50° Vendemmia" has been released every year. A Riserva that shows how Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera find their powerful yet elegant expression on the red soils of Salento. After selective harvest, the blend of 90% Negroamaro and 10% Malvasia Nera di Lecce undergoes an 8 to 12-day maceration at a controlled temperature of 20 to 22 degrees before the wine matures for twelve months in 30-hectolitre oak barrels. A further six months of bottle ageing round off the process.

Karmis, an animating white wine based on Vernaccia, comes from the lower Tirso Valley in the area between Cabras and Baratili - where the climate is typically Mediterranean with mild winters, little rain and very hot, breezy summers. And so its colour is brilliant and deep yellow, the bouquet delicate but persistent with hints of fresh fruit. Soft, full and with good flavour correspondence on the palate. An excellent aperitif and accompaniment to light dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

Svelato means unveiled – the veil pulled away. The name of the most famous Falanghina from the Sannio resonates with the legend: Guardia Sanframondi, the "bewitched land" on the Matese mountains, home of the witches of Benevento and, since 1898, of the Iacobucci family. Filomena and Carlo rebuilt the business in 2004 – and the Svelato quickly became an ambassador. Hand-picked, whole bunch pressing, ageing in steel on the fine lees.

A Ribolla Gialla that knows exactly what it wants: freshness, tension and the expression of one of Friuli's most traditional white wine terroirs. Pale straw yellow in the glass with greenish reflections. A cool, clear aroma of lemon peel, white flowers, green apple and a hint of lime honey. No excess, but controlled precision. The acidity is lively, the texture slightly creamy, the finish characterised by citrus, fine herbal notes and an almost salty touch. A very characterful representative of its kind. SUPERIORE.DE

A Cabernet with a Friulian signature: This elegant red wine is made from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc and matured entirely in stainless steel tanks – without any wood. It thus retains clear fruit, freshness and varietal typicity in the highest purity. The 2024 vintage developed under typical Colli Orientali conditions: warm days, cool nights and well-ventilated slopes ensured clean, expressive grapes. An intense ruby red colour in the glass. The nose opens with aromas of cassis, blackberry, a hint of green pepper and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, this Cabernet is structured, with precise fruit, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity. An authentic representative of the grape variety that combines fresh clarity and strength of character. SUPERIORE.DE

Pure Merlot from the gentle slopes around the village of Togliano – powerful, but not heavy, and deliberately vinified without ageing in wood. The ageing in stainless steel and glass fermentation tanks allows the grape variety to appear with undisguised clarity: dark fruit, animating freshness and finely structured tannins. Rich ruby red in the glass with violet reflections. The aroma is intense and typical of the variety: black cherry, plum, some herbal spice and a hint of violet. Juicy on the palate, with a smooth flow, lively fruit and a noticeable but well-integrated structure. A balanced and straightforward Merlot with a regional profile. SUPERIORE.DE

Delicate straw yellow colour with greenish reflections. This classic and extremely harmonious Friulano is youthfully fresh and at the same time full of character. The bouquet is finely nuanced with aromas of yellow pear, ripe citrus fruit, almond blossom and a hint of hay. The palate is dry, balanced and textured, with ripe fruit, well-integrated acidity and the slightly tart almond note typical of the variety on the finish. An authentic representative of the grape variety that shows how harmoniously tradition and modern drinking flow go together. SUPERIORE.DE

Rosé di Morgante is vinified from pure Nero d'Avola and comes from the higher vineyards around Grotte near Agrigento. The poor, chalky soils give it freshness and structure, while the sunny but well-ventilated microclimate ensures optimum flavour development. Ageing in stainless steel preserves the fruit and precision. Delicate salmon pink colour with a copper sheen in the glass. Redcurrant, rosehip, a hint of blood orange and delicate floral nuances on the nose. Animating on the palate, with lively acidity, elegant fruit and a salty, mineral undertone. Dry, clear and very balanced, with a fine finish. A serious yet very drinkable rosé with a Mediterranean soul – ideal as an aperitif or with grilled fish, antipasti and white meat dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

Volpe Pasini's Chardonnay has a clear focus: straightforward, juicy, completely focussed on freshness and varietal typicity. The nose is characterised by notes of green banana, white peach, citrus zest and a hint of white flowers – not a loud appearance, but a subtle interplay of nuances. On the palate, the wine is taut and animating, with a subtle creaminess, lively acidity and a pleasantly dry finish. No wood, no exaggeration, but a Chardonnay that favours lightness and elegance and is therefore pleasantly out of the ordinary. International format meets regional signature. SUPERIORE.DE

Deep ruby red with a purple centre – a play of colours that heralds intensity and freshness. Ripe cherries, blackberries and a hint of violets mingle with subtle hints of sweet spice on the nose. On the palate, the wine is full of juicy fruit, underpinned by well-proportioned tannins and a lively, clear acidity that gives the whole wine shape and precision. The blend of Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo matures for twelve months, partly in wood and partly in stainless steel tanks. This preserves freshness, depth and a harmonious balance between fruit and structure. The finish lingers with delicate almond notes and a hint of mineral spice – a Langhe red wine that combines regional character with a fine finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Emilio Rotolo's Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso draws you into the glass with its deep, peppery black raspberry flavours, complemented by pretty violet and lavender tones. Wrapping the palate in a cloak of dark, ripe, textured fruit, it is incredibly elegant and polished, but also tangy. A layer of sweet tannins frames the expression and caresses the cheeks, while citrus fruit and a hint of spice linger. This is a very nice wine that will benefit from a slight chill. SUPERIORE.DE

A Sauvignon that clearly expresses its origin and grape variety – with freshness, tension and precise fruit. Matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks, it is crystal clear and unadulterated, entirely in the house style. Pale straw yellow in the glass with a greenish tinge. The nose is typical and pleasantly differentiated: gooseberry, yellowcurrant, green apple, hints of elderflower, lemon zest and a touch of mint. On the palate, the 2024 is lively and juicy, with lively acidity and a focussed, mineral core. The fruit always remains on the cool side, which clearly shows its origins in north-east Friuli. A characterful, easy-drinking Sauvignon Bianco with varietal identity, precision and a finely balanced freshness profile – ideal with antipasti, asparagus, fish or on its own as an elegant aperitif. SUPERIORE.DE